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Valentine’s Day can put a huge amount of pressure on even the closest of relationships and the menopause with all its underlying and often unspoken issues makes this intimate day even harder to navigate.
Vaginal dryness, low libido, UTI infections, changes in body shape and lack of confidence may mean that your desire for sex has drastically changed. Food Scientist and Nutritionist Susie Debice suggests ways to keep your romance alive.
There’s no denying it, the menopause is tough going! You’re easily hot & bothered in all of the wrong ways (!), your body shape has changed and your boudoir confidence has taken a tumble.
The last thing you want to do right now is slip into some sexy underwear in an attempt to arouse your partner. That strategy may have worked 10 or even five years ago, but perhaps now you need less race and more pace to get those sparks of intimacy flying.
Body Image
There’s nothing sassier or sexier than pure confidence! I get it, you used to have confidence oozing from every part of your body and the menopause has made you cover up and deal out excuses.
It’s true, your body has changed on the outside, but you’re still the same beautiful person on the inside. Here’s the home truth - there’s no turning the clock back. Even with the toughest exercise plan and the strictest of diets, you’re unlikely to be as pert or as primed again!
So, unless you want to endure some menopausal celibacy, you need to dig deep, find that confidence that is still part of you and bring it back up - right, front and centre.
All your years of life experience have filled you with womanly wisdom, blend this with a renewed sense of confidence and you’ll bring your partner out in a night sweat to remember!
Set The Scene
Growing old often translates into taking life a little slower and this phrase speaks volumes in the bedroom. Men do also go through a manopause, which leaves testosterone levels rather deflated.
It’s entirely possible that your partner is having to deal with his own internal dialog and anxieties about his stance and performance.
Don’t rush things, as anxieties could flare-up and snuff out the flame of desire. Go slow, be sensitive to each other’s signals and set the scene with a massage using sensual essential oils like ylang ylang, lavender and rose, to help ease tension and help you both get in the mood.
Pillow Talk
Bottling issues up about your crashed libido or pain and discomfort that you feel during sex due to dryness, is not going to help.
Be bold and courageous. Be the one that initiates the conversation, no matter how awkward or embarrassing this feels, as unspoken issues may put distance between you.
Sharing what you’re going through also gives your partner an opportunity to open up and then together you can start to explore all the toys, tricks and lotions designed to make menopausal intimacy more comfortable and enjoyable.
A case study involving MenoMen revealed that 66% of the women with low menopausal libido noticed increased sexual desire after supplementing with MenoMin for 3 months.
Heart Health
One of the long-term health concerns associated with the menopause is an increased risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease.
On Valentine’s Day, you’d expect a racing heart and a slight rise in blood pressure during those more intimate and invigorating activities! But once you’re out of the bedroom, a racing pulse is not what you need.
Regular health checks with your GP quickly identify any heart health risk factors and following the Mediterranean diet, which is high in fibre and omega 3 fats, has been shown to be cardio protective.
If you don’t like the taste of oily fish, then supplementing with Cleanmarine Krill Oil or MenoMin which provide a concentrated source of omega 3 fats in a no-fishy repeat way, is a good alternative.
