It’s not about wine and lube

If, as a peri-menopausal person, you were told it was normal to experience some vaginal itching and dryness as your menopausal transition progressed, you might expect to experience occasional discomfort. When the medical advice for sex is to use lube and have a glass of wine, you might assume a tolerable, albeit uncomfortable encounter was a possibility. 

If, however, you’re experiencing what is called Genitourinary Symptoms of Menopause (GSM), as many menopausal people do, you might be caught completely off guard at the discomfort, pain and traumatizing experience that sex can be. After a history of relatively enjoyable intimate experiences, to begin experiencing discomfort during solo or partnered sex, many individuals find discomfort and pain. Unfortunately, very few seek medical care for these concerns, and if they do- they wait until the completion of an appointment with a provider for an unrelated concern to address this complaint. This can result in diminished, or brushed off concerns, and quick recommendations like “Have a glass of wine and use some lube.” 

It’s no wonder when these unhelpful suggestions are provided by the medical community that a person would slowly begin losing desire for an undesirable activity. As a person ages, the GSM progresses, and pain intensifies. Lube is no longer the answer, truthfully- while it may have been a relief measure, it was never the solution.
Did you know, there is a much better option than “have a glass of wine and use some lube?” There are a variety of medications available to help improve vulvar and vaginal tissue integrity, which results in more enjoyable intimacy. Vaginal or systemic estrogen are available and considered safe medications for use in most people. Even those with personal or family histories of breast cancer can safely use topical vaginal estrogen. While consulting the patient’s oncologist is always part of the plan for anyone with a history of cancer, it is the goal of Candescent Health and Wellness to promote intimate wellness for all of our clients. If you or your partner are experiencing distressing symptoms of GSM, please, consider making an appointment.  

You are worth more than “a glass of wine and some lube.”