Middle Age and Intimacy

By: Beverly Mahone

“Not tonight honey…I’m all dried up!”

OK...that's probably not something you would say to your mate but if you're going to be honest and real, that is the case sometimes when it comes to intimacy.

As women age, there is a decrease in our hormone levels which causes changes in our vaginal tissue. It becomes thinner and less elastic. Nearly half of all women between the ages of 40 and 59 will experience vaginal dryness. There is less vaginal wetness even when women become aroused.

But age isn't the only reason for the dryness. Some doctors say high levels of stress can also create the problem and it's common in post partum women.

Vaginal dryness may explain female sexual dysfunction because a lack of vaginal lubrication can make sex uncomfortable--even painful for some.

But there is relief:

1) Consider increasing your water intake. Drinking ten 8oz. glasses of water daily will help re-hydrate the body.

2) Check the chemicals in your home. Examine the ingredients in your bathing and laundry products. Some perfumes and other chemicals can be irritants to the vaginal area.

3) Follow a hormone-balanced diet. Did you know a low-fat, high-carb diet starves a woman's body of the nutrients it needs to make sex hormones? The estrogen needed for vaginal lubrication is made from cholesterol---something that is lacking on a low-fat diet.

4) Personal lubricants. They tend to give immediate relief and can be easily obtained over the counter. KY Jelly is the most common and popular.

These are issues men don't understand unless we, as wives and girlfriends, are willing to establish an open dialogue. It's the same with them. As they age, an erection is not as easy to attain and they don't want to let on to their mate that there is a problem. That's why Viagra was invented.

Article Source: http://www.retirementlivingarticledirectory.com

Beverly Mahone is a veteran journalist, author and motivational speaker. She writes about sexual intimacy at middle age and other baby boomer topics in her book, "Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age." The book is available on amazon.com and through her website. To learn more about Ms. Mahone, go to: www.talk2bev.com

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