Summary: A new study finds that women who maintain regular sexual activity report fewer symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM)—including vaginal dryness, irritation, and pain. In a survey of more than 900 women aged 40 to 79, researchers observed that sexual desire and lubrication tend to decline with age, while orgasm and overall sexual satisfaction remain largely stable. The findings suggest that ongoing sexual activity may help preserve vulvovaginal and genitourinary health during and after the menopause transition.
Women who reported sexual activity within the past three months had a lower prevalence of GSM-related discomfort than those who were less sexually active. These results underscore the potential role of sexual activity, along with appropriate medical treatment when needed, in maintaining genital comfort and sexual wellbeing for midlife and older women.
Key Facts:
- GSM relief: Regular sexual activity is associated with fewer complaints of vulvar pain, vaginal dryness, and irritation.
- Aging and sexual function: While desire, arousal, and lubrication commonly decline with age, measures of orgasm and satisfaction were found to remain stable across the age range studied.
- Treatment gap: Despite evidence supporting local low‑dose vaginal estrogen for GSM symptoms, only 2.9% of study participants reported using hormone therapy.
The study’s results are published in Menopause, the journal of The Menopause Society.
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a cluster of genital, sexual, and urinary symptoms linked to reduced estrogen and other sex steroid levels during and after menopause. Common GSM complaints include itching, burning, pain during intercourse, decreased lubrication, and visible changes in vulvar and vaginal tissue. These symptoms can reduce sexual activity and negatively affect quality of life for many women in their 40s through 70s.
In this cross-sectional study of more than 900 women aged 40 to 79, researchers examined associations between the frequency of sexual activity and the presence of vulvovaginal symptoms related to menopause. For the study, engaging in sexual activity within the past three months was classified as regular sexual activity; activity within the past year but not in the last three months was classified as lower sexual activity.
As expected, the proportion of women reporting regular sexual activity declined with age. Correspondingly, scores on the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)—which assesses six domains of sexual function through 19 questions—showed age-related decreases in desire, arousal, and lubrication. Notably, however, scores for orgasm and satisfaction did not change significantly across age groups, indicating that many women maintain the capacity for sexual pleasure even as other aspects of sexual function change.
The investigators concluded that certain aspects of sexual function and GSM symptoms vary with age, but that regular sexual activity may help maintain genital health and reduce bothersome symptoms. Women who were sexually active in the recent three-month window exhibited a lower prevalence of GSM-related symptoms, suggesting a potential protective association between sexual activity and vulvovaginal comfort.
Study authors emphasize that diagnosing and treating GSM is important for improving quality of life. Despite the effectiveness and safety of local low‑dose vaginal estrogen for relieving vulvovaginal symptoms, its use was uncommon among study participants. Treatment should be offered to anyone experiencing GSM symptoms, whether or not they are sexually active, and clinicians should consider normalizing discussions about local vaginal estrogen and other evidence-based options.
Dr. Monica Christmas, associate medical director for The Menopause Society, notes the need to recognize GSM’s impact on women who are not sexually active and to ensure that symptomatic women receive appropriate treatment. Addressing these symptoms can reduce pain, improve comfort, and remove barriers to intimacy when desired.
About this menopause and neuroscience research news
Author: Mary Nance
Source: The Menopause Society
Contact: Mary Nance – The Menopause Society
Image: Image credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: “Cross-sectional study of the association between regular sexual activity and sexual function and genitourinary syndrome of menopause-related symptoms” by Yoshikazu Sato et al., published in Menopause (open access).