Regular Sexual Activity Linked to Reduced Pain and Discomfort in Midlife Women: New Research

Recent research indicates that maintaining regular sexual activity may help lower the incidence of vulvar pain, irritation, and dryness among women going through perimenopause and postmenopause. These symptoms are common reasons why women in these life stages often decrease sexual activity. The study, published in the journal Menopause, examined over 900 women aged 40 to 79 and focused on the relationship between sexual activity frequency and menopausal genitourinary symptoms.

As women age, it’s typical for interest in sex to decline, but studies show that orgasm and sexual satisfaction may remain stable across the lifespan. The new research found that women who engaged in sexual activity within the past three months experienced fewer genital symptoms associated with menopause, such as itching, burning, pain, and decreased lubrication. Conversely, women with less frequent sexual activity reported higher rates of these bothersome symptoms.

The investigation also revealed that while sexual desire, arousal, and lubrication tend to decrease with age, orgasmic function and overall satisfaction do not significantly change. This suggests that regular sexual activity may play a crucial role in maintaining sexual function and reducing genitourinary discomfort, even as women age.

The study emphasizes the importance of diagnosing and treating genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), a condition characterized by symptoms caused by declining estrogen levels. Despite the low use of hormone therapy among participants, local low-dose vaginal estrogen treatment remains a safe and effective option for alleviating symptoms like dryness, pain, and discomfort, which can discourage sexual activity.

Clinicians are encouraged to consider symptom management for all women, regardless of whether they are sexually active, to improve their quality of life. Normalizing the use of local estrogen therapy can significantly help women experiencing menopausal symptoms and maintain their sexual health.

This research highlights that consistent sexual activity may contribute to better sexual function and symptom management during midlife, outlining a potential link between intimacy and menopausal health. The findings support the role of proactive treatment approaches to enhance well-being and sexual satisfaction among aging women.

For additional details, the full study can be accessed here. Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-regular-sexual-odds-pain-perimenopausal.html