Lou Portero

Urban Health Today

<p>A study involving over 900 women aged 40 to 79 reveals that regular sexual activity may significantly reduce vulvar pain, dryness, and irritation associated with menopause. The research, published in the Menopause journal, examined the relationship between sexual frequency and genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) symptoms in Japanese women.</p>
<p>The study classified women into two groups: those with regular sexual activity (within the past 3 months), comprising 716 participants, and those with lower sexual activity (within the past year but not the recent 3 months), totaling 195 participants. Researchers found that women with regular sexual activity showed a low prevalence of GSM-related symptoms, particularly experiencing significantly fewer vulvar symptoms in daily life compared to women with less frequent sexual activity.</p>
<p>The findings challenge common assumptions about aging and sexual function. While sexual desire, arousal, and lubrication ability declined significantly with age, researchers discovered that orgasm and satisfaction levels are not necessarily affected by age. This suggests that despite physiological changes during menopause, women can maintain important aspects of sexual satisfaction throughout their lives.</p>
<p>Multiple logistic regressions revealed that sexual activity in the past 3 months was associated with lower odds of vulvar pain, dryness, and irritation. The protective effect remained significant even after adjusting for age, menstrual status, and hormone therapy use. However, the study’s cross-sectional design means researchers cannot determine whether regular sexual activity prevents symptoms or whether women with fewer symptoms are more likely to remain sexually active.</p>
<p>The research highlights critical gaps in menopause care. Only 2.9% of participants reported using hormone therapy, despite evidence that local low-dose vaginal estrogen therapy effectively alleviates vulvovaginal symptoms. Dr. Monica Christmas, associate medical director for The Menopause Society, emphasizes that treatment should be offered to anyone with symptoms, whether engaging in sexual activity or not.</p>
<p>These findings underscore the complex relationship between sexual health and menopausal symptoms. While the study suggests potential benefits of maintaining sexual activity, the researchers acknowledge that prospective studies are needed to establish causation. The results provide valuable insights for healthcare providers counseling women about sexual health during menopause and highlight the importance of addressing GSM symptoms comprehensively, regardless of a woman’s sexual activity level.</p>
<div class="post-references"><h3>References</h3><p><strong>Sources:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Sato Y, Ozaki Y, Tomoe H, et al. Cross-sectional study of the association between regular sexual activity and sexual function and genitourinary syndrome of menopause–related symptoms. Menopause. 2025;32:592–600.</li>
<li>The Menopause Society. More Sex, Less Pain and Irritation for Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women. Press Release. June 25, 2025.</li>
</ol>
</div>

<p>A study involving over 900 women aged 40 to 79 reveals that regular sexual activity may significantly reduce vulvar pain, dryness, and irritation associated with menopause. The research, published in the Menopause journal, examined the relationship between sexual frequency and genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) symptoms in Japanese women.</p><p>The study classified women into two groups: those with regular sexual activity (within the past 3 months), comprising 716 participants, and those with lower sexual activity (within the past year but not the recent 3 months), totaling 195 participants. Researchers found that women with regular sexual activity showed a low prevalence of GSM-related symptoms, particularly experiencing significantly fewer vulvar symptoms in daily life compared to women with less frequent sexual activity.</p><p>The findings challenge common assumptions about aging and sexual function. While sexual desire, arousal, and lubrication ability declined significantly with age, researchers discovered that orgasm and satisfaction levels are not necessarily affected by age. This suggests that despite physiological changes during menopause, women can maintain important aspects of sexual satisfaction throughout their lives.</p><p>Multiple logistic regressions revealed that sexual activity in the past 3 months was associated with lower odds of vulvar pain, dryness, and irritation. The protective effect remained significant even after adjusting for age, menstrual status, and hormone therapy use. However, the study’s cross-sectional design means researchers cannot determine whether regular sexual activity prevents symptoms or whether women with fewer symptoms are more likely to remain sexually active.</p><p>The research highlights critical gaps in menopause care. Only 2.9% of participants reported using hormone therapy, despite evidence that local low-dose vaginal estrogen therapy effectively alleviates vulvovaginal symptoms. Dr. Monica Christmas, associate medical director for The Menopause Society, emphasizes that treatment should be offered to anyone with symptoms, whether engaging in sexual activity or not.</p><p>These findings underscore the complex relationship between sexual health and menopausal symptoms. While the study suggests potential benefits of maintaining sexual activity, the researchers acknowledge that prospective studies are needed to establish causation. The results provide valuable insights for healthcare providers counseling women about sexual health during menopause and highlight the importance of addressing GSM symptoms comprehensively, regardless of a woman’s sexual activity level.</p><div class="post-references"><h3>References</h3><p><strong>Sources:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Sato Y, Ozaki Y, Tomoe H, et al. Cross-sectional study of the association between regular sexual activity and sexual function and genitourinary syndrome of menopause–related symptoms. Menopause. 2025;32:592–600.</li>
<li>The Menopause Society. More Sex, Less Pain and Irritation for Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women. Press Release. June 25, 2025.</li>
</ol>
</div>

Low Testosterone and Sleep Deprivation Linked to Psoriasis Risk in Men

Psoriasis

Research Shows Connection Between Sexual Frequency and Menopause Symptom Relief

Menopause

Barry Greenberg, PhD

Monique Nugent, MD, MPH

Van Ta Park, PhD, MPH

Julie Zissimopoulos, PhD

Annual Wellness Visits: Key to Early Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis

Alzheimer's & Dementia

Latest News

The findings challenge common assumptions about aging and sexual function.

About Us

Editorial Policy

Contributors & Partners

Contact Us

eNewsletters

Work With Us

Advertising

Career Center

GU Oncology Now

Blood Cancers Today

Cancer Nursing Today

DocWire News

MashupMD

Food Allergy Roundtable Discussions

Allergy

Blood Cancers

— Multiple Myeloma

Breast Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

Prostate Cancer

Cancer

Diabetes

Gastroenterology

Heart Failure

Heart Disease Prevention

Heart Health

— Alzheimer’s Disease

Neurology

Public Health

Autoimmune Disease

Infectious Diseases

Obesity

Pediatrics

Sickle Cell Disease

Digital Health

Dermatology

Pulmonology

Video Insights

Workforce News

More

Gynecologic Cancer

Heart Disease in Women

Reproductive Health

Women’s Neurology

Well Woman Today

Roundtables

Podcasts

Conferences

Viewpoints

Subscribe