Menopause Symptoms May Hamper Sex

Menopausal symptoms dim the sex lives of many women,
according to a new online survey.

Murray Freedman, MD, and colleagues from the Medical College of Georgia
evaluated the survey, which was conducted by Harris Interactive in late June
and early July. They presented their findings yesterday in Dallas at the North
American Menopause Society.

More than 1,000 women aged 35 and older completed the survey. The women
indicated that they were nearing menopause, currently going through menopause,
or were postmenopausal.

Most of the women -- 81% -- reported menopausal symptoms. Nearly 60% of
those women noted vaginal symptoms (vaginal dryness, pain during sex, vaginal
narrowing, or vaginal shrinkage) or increased urinary tract infections.

Among women reporting vaginal narrowing or vaginal shrinkage (known medically as vaginal
atrophy), 88% indicated that they found that symptom to be "at least
somewhat problematic," 78% said it affected their sex life, and 47% said
they had stopped or avoided sex because ofB physical discomfort.

The study was funded by the menopause education group Red Hot Mamas and
Duramed Pharmaceuticals, which makes the estrogen drug Enjuvia for menopausal
symptoms.

(Has your sex life
changed after menopause ? Tell us about it on WebMD's Menopause: Support
Group message board.)

By Miranda Hitti
Reviewed by Louise Chang
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