Understanding Sexual Health During Menopause: Factors and Coping

Menopause commonly begins for many women in their 40s to 50s, a transition tied to hormonal changes that can influence sexual health. Yet aging and a range of other factors can also contribute to changes in intimate life. Medical professionals note that drugs, mood and stress conditions, and broader health shifts often play a significant role in how desire and comfort feel during sex. This perspective comes from clinicians who study sexual health and aging and who emphasize that the body’s chemistry, not simply age, shapes sexual experience. In parallel, lifestyle choices and chronic health issues can intersect with menopausal changes to alter sexual function and satisfaction. —