The symptoms of menopause are caused by a hormone imbalance. Your body is stopping estrogen production simply because you have lived beyond the childbearing years. Your body no longer needs to ovulate each month. This hormone balance thing is a lot like puberty in reverse. During puberty, your body began the process of preparing itself for its childbearing years. The hormones were unbalanced then, too. Don’t you remember the pimples, the cramps, and the emotional rollercoaster that you lived on?

It wasn’t your fault then, and it isn’t your fault now. Just as soon as your body adjusts to the different hormone balance, you are going to be just fine. No, that is wrong! You are going to be better than you were.

The symptoms of menopause are certainly no picnic. There are hot flashes, nigh sweats, mood swings, etc. that just aren’t going to be much fun for you or for those who love you. The good news is that it passes.

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Your body was doing weird things and sending out signals that were new and confusing — not to mention flooding your body with hormones that caused your face to break out, always at the worst possible moment. First, you needed a bra. Hair started to grow in places other than your head.

All in all, puberty wasn’t just a whole heck of a lot of fun. Menopause isn’t any fun, either, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. You survived puberty. You’ve probably survived childbirth. You will survive menopause, and frankly, on the other side of the process, there is a lot of freedom that you haven’t even gotten around to considering yet.

Freedom, you ask? How do you get freedom out of menopause? Well, for one thing, those monthly cramps are a thing of the past once menopause is complete. You will be able to thumb your nose at the “feminine products” aisle at the grocery store. You aren’t likely to ever have another zit. You won’t have to worry any longer about birth control or the possibility of getting pregnant.

Yes, menopause is the cessation of the menstrual cycle. On the other side of the process of called menopause, you are going to find a lot of freedom that you never even dreamed of.

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The mind is powerful, and science is only just beginning to scratch the surface of understanding the relationship between the mind and the physical body.


Eastern medical practitioners have long recognized the mind/body connection, but Western medical practitioners are just beginning to accept the idea as fact. Our emotions can make us physically sick. I think we can all agree about that. Under undue stress, the body reacts by increasing the heart rate, pumping extra adrenaline, sweating, etc., and that IS mind over matter. Our minds are affecting our bodies.

During menopause, I do believe that the attitude and the mindset of the menopausal woman have a great deal of effect on her physical menopausal symptoms. I am most certainly not implying that a woman can mentally PREVENT night sweats of hot flashes. That would be ridiculous.

I am saying, however, that the woman’s attitude can determine the level of intensity, and possibly even the frequency. There isn’t any scientific proof that this is true, as far as I know; but just like the body reacts to stress, the body also reacts to other emotions and even perceptions of situations.

The human body is a living, breathing symphony of many systems. There are many things that the body just does all by itself…like breathing…that the mind has no control at all over. However, while the body does breathe without instructions from the mind, the mind can control the rate and depth of breathing. I think the same thing is true of menopausal symptoms.

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You will no doubt have heard many of the “old wives’ tales” about menopause. You don’t need old wives’ tales; you need facts…the real facts.

Listen carefully to the way that you “self-talk.” We all do it. We have these internal conversations about everything that has an effect on us. We self-talk about diet, exercise, relationships, etc. and we certainly are doing a lot of self-talk about menopause. Sometimes we can calm our own fears and settle our own anxious feelings simply by changing the tone of our self-talk. We can take it from negative to positive, and in the process we can relieve our anxiety.

After all, menopause isn’t all bad. As a matter of fact, the majority (a large majority) of women who have completed the process of menopause report that they are happier and healthier than they have been in years. “Just think,” you can tell yourself, “after this is over with I won’t have to worry about getting pregnant, and I’ll never have those monthly cramps again. I’ll be able to pass the feminine products aisle at the grocery store forever and ever, amen!” Now you’re talking!

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Allow yourself some time to fantasize about sex during the day as well. Take a nice warm bath before bed. You can picture what you will do with your partner when you are done with the bath. Leave them a detailed note in the morning about plans for the evening. It can certainly make a huge difference in the way you see each other romantically. Keep it fresh and alive so that no one gets bored with the sexual activity that is taking place.

Take a look at your mental well being as well. If you aren’t in the best of moods then do what you can to perk yourself up. Sometimes seeing a professional counselor can help you out as well. Sometimes there are issues not dealt with in the relationship that lead to tension and resentment. If you can get them on the table and out of the way your sex life will likely improve.

Taking care of yourself physically is important as well. Don’t let yourself get lazy or overweight. Stay active and eat well so you can stay at a healthy weight. You may need to work with a dietician to plan healthier meals. It is never too late in life to make such lifestyle changes. It does take some planning and commitment but your will find there are many great benefits from it.

Get rid of those nasty habits such as excessively drinking alcohol. In the long run it will lower your sexual desire and performance, especially for men. Smoking is also a factor that will become more of an issue as you get older. Being comfortable in your own skin and with how you look is a great way to get you in the mood to initiate sexual activity with your partner as well. They will find it to be a tremendous turn on that you are attracted to them.

Sometimes just changing the location of where sex will take place can make it better. If you are always doing the act at home, take a weekend vacation to some place romantic. You can also use a different room in the house to spice it up a bit. There are books on new positions and even on romancing your partner to look at as well. You may find talking honestly with your partner about how to please them can really make a difference.

There are herbal pills for both men and women on the market as well. Since you can buy them over the counter at most health food stores people assume they are 100% safe to take. Still, you need to consult with your doctor first. You may not be healthy enough to engage in sexual activity. You certainly don’t want to risk your health for sex so getting a full assessment from a professional is the best place to start.

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There is a common misconception that women who have gone through menopause no longer have any sexual desire. They may continue to engage in the activity to keep their partner happy, but they don’t get any pleasure out of it. This is certainly not the truth though.

Many women over the age of 60 are involved in very fulfilling sexual relationships. They love not having to worry about their period. They also don’t have to worry about an unwanted pregnancy very late in life. This new found freedom for them means they are able to fully focus on the act of sexual activity and not the various repercussions of it.

Some women do experience a drop in their sexual desire though after menopause. Many women experience problems with the vagina being dry after menopause. This can make it hard for them to get pleasure out of sexual activity. There are some great products on the market though that will allow you to moisturize the vagina without any negative side effects.

It is a good idea for a woman with such issues to see a gynecologist for a complete evaluation though. They may be able to help come up with a natural remedy that can prevent ongoing issues having to be addressed with it. For many women, dealing with vaginal dryness can cause a mental block with sexual intercourse.

They may connect it with being undesirable now that they are in their 60’s. This low self confidence can cause women to shy away from sexual intercourse as well. Being able to really enjoy your body and your sexual desires when you are over 60 is very important. It will encourage you to do what you can to be able to bring back a high level of sexual desire to your life.

Sometimes something over the counter though isn’t enough for a woman to get back the sexual desire she once had. Your doctor may offer you supplements of hormones in the form of estrogen. Since the level of it in the body drops dramatically due to menopause, replacing it definitely can be helpful.

Menopause doesn’t have to hinder your sex life though for women over 60 years of age. If you enjoy sex and you want to continue doing so, there are remedies out there that can help. Don’t be embarrassed to discuss the issue with your doctor either. They deal with such issues all the time. They will know how to help you get back to where you want to be sexually.
For many older couples, menopause can throw a wrench into what was once a very enjoyable part of their intimate relationship. It is important to discuss what has taken place. A woman doesn’t want her partner to assume the lack of sexual responsiveness has anything to do with them not being attractive anymore. Find a good solution that works for you so that menopause won’t stop you from engaging your sexual relationship.

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Approximately 60% of all men over the age of 60 who have a type of erectile dysfunction find that it is due to vascular disease. This is why men over the age of 55 are encouraged to get a screening annually. Most doctors will include it in the physical exam that they do. Yet too many males don’t see a doctor for a routine check up each year as they should. As a result, they end up with vascular disease being a problem that isn’t identified until it has already affected their ability to maintain an erection.

The research on the cases of vascular disease that have been found find some common factors. Males who smoke, have high cholesterol, or that are overweight tend to be at a higher risk. Males who have been diagnosed with diabetes or heart disease also have a higher chance of developing vascular disease as well.

In order to determine if a man is suffering from vascular disease, an assessment is completed. Generally a blood test is done which can provide the necessary information. The penis may be touched as well to determine how sensitive the nerves are in it in connection with arousal.

It is also very important for the patient to give accurate information. The assessment will ask when they last time a full erection was maintained. Many men lie about it as they don’t want to face the problem or share it with their doctor. Yet they are there to help with such issues and not being honest can prevent you from having a great sex life.

Once the vascular disease has been confirmed, the doctor can discuss the course or action to remedy it. Many men who need to make lifestyle changes such as to stop smoking or to lose weight will for sexual activity to take place. That is how important it is to them and the life they wish to engage in.

Sometimes the physical issues of vascular disease have to be treated with emotional needs too. For the male who has been dealing with it for a while, the anxiety and shame of not being able to maintain an erection can be a factor. Even if the physical issues are resolved, the mental block is still going to be there. Dealing with both factors at once gives these men the best chance of overcoming their erectile dysfunction.

Depending on the assessment, the man may be given a prescription for various types of medications to help maintain an erection. Many of them have been quite successful and they continue to improve all the time. There are also vacuum devices given that will help to pull more blood into the penis so the erection can take place.

Surgery is becoming more of a common way to treat vascular disease that has lead to erectile dysfunction as well. Many men want to go this route rather than having to use drugs or a pump to get their erections to take place. With surgery the arteries can be cleared so that the blood can naturally flow to the penis like it should. If there are veins that allow the blood to leak out they can be blocked. There are also implants that can be permanently inserted to assist a man with getting an erection.

An estimated 30 million men are affected by vascular disease right now. Finding out if you are at risk is important as it can help you to avoid being part of the statistics. Should you end up with vascular disease though there are very effective ways of treating it. Rather than giving up on sex, see a doctor who can help you find the right solution for you.

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Heart disease can result in a person having to take medications for the duration of their life. Many of these medications have proven to be successful but not without a cost. There can be various side effects with them such as erectile dysfunction. This means a male can’t maintain an erection. Most doctors won’t prescribe various types of medication to help with it such as Viagra or Cialis though if you don’t have a healthy enough heart to be engaging in sex in the first place.

Of course there is the common fear in our society that anyone who has heart disease could die due to the excitement of sex. There have been reports of heart attacks and other issues occurring during sex for those with heart disease. While these instances do occur, they are often very few and far between. Still, if your doctor tells you to change your habits and that you can’t engage in various types of sexual activities you need to listen.

In most instances though your sex life doesn’t have to come to a screeching halt. Instead you may find there are some modifications to be made. You need to be open to the suggestions and the changes though as they may prove to be more satisfying to you than you thought. Remember that your overall health is very crucial and so you need to be disciplined about sticking to the set boundaries by your health car professionals.

Make sure you are following all of the orders like you should. This means taking daily medications on time. Eat meals that are healthy for you so that you can keep up your energy. Pay attention to signs from your body that something just isn’t right. If you get dizzy or short of breath during sexual activities then you may need to stop what you are doing.

Having a loving and caring partner though all of this is extremely important. That can help to reduce your level of stress and anxiety. They should be willing to forego various types of sexual activity in order to help you stay as healthy as possible. You may find that making various changes to your lifestyle though helps. You may be able to resume old forms of lovemaking in the future if you are willing to stick to such necessary changes.

Heart disease is a very serious issue and you should do all you can at a young age to prevent it from occurring. You want to be as healthy as you can when you get into your 60’s and beyond. It will ensure you have a happier lifestyle that also includes being able to enjoy various types of sexual activities.

Should you end up with heart disease though due to poor lifestyle choices or due to heredity, you can still find ways to enjoy sex. It is important to discuss the issue with your doctor though. You certainly don’t want to be engaging in any types of behavior that aren’t in your best interest.

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There are some things you can do though to help you maintain your sex drive as you get older. Living a healthy lifestyle is going to make a very significant impact for you so don’t blow it off. What you choose to do today is going to affect your health and your level of sexual desire as you get older.

Eating a well balanced diet is something you should incorporate into your life. If you aren’t doing it now, then start to make some small changes. As time goes on you will adjust to them and they will become a second nature to you. Consuming too much caffeine can be a problem. If you aren’t getting all the vitamins and nutrients that you need from food, make sure you take a quality supplement.

Make sure you take the time to exercise at least 30 minutes each day as well. Walking is very common for older individuals as it is low impact but very good for the body. Get a companion such as a friend or even a dog that you can walk with each day. Some malls and other locations have indoor walking clubs too which are perfect when the weather turns cold.

Maintaining a healthy weight is very important to sex drive. A combination of a good diet with plenty of exercise will help you to be successful in this area. It will also help you to feel great about how you look. Too many people are inhibited about sex as their body has changed from what it once was. That is going to be a fact of life for all of us.

Being happy with your body is also important. Too many people start to notice all the small details as they get older. They will see every line and wrinkle on their body so they aren’t comfortable during sex. They don’t have much self confidence that they are desirable. They aren’t able to let go and enjoy what is taking place because they are too focused on such details.

Reducing the amount of stress in your life is important as you get older too. The toll it can take on both your body and your mind is more than most of us imagine. Not everyone can be worry free when they are older though. If your finances or relationships aren’t in the best format, it can be hard to get past it. Do your very best though to reduce as many stressful issues from your life as you can. It will certainly help with your sex drive because you won’t be preoccupied with other things.

If you are healthy as you get older, you will be able to maintain your sex drive. Both men and women have the ability to be turned on sexually until a very late age in life. They also both have the ability to continue having orgasms into those later years as well. It all comes down to how fit a person is though both physically and mentally.

Age is merely a number though as anyone who is over 60 can tell you. Many of them continue to enjoy as wonderful of a sex life as others who are only in their 40’s. It is something you can strive for in your own life as well. Make sure you are making healthy choices today though so you won’t have too many issues that reduce your sex drive as you get older.

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There is no reason to think you won’t be able to enjoy a very healthy and happy sex life into your 60’s as well. Keeping yourself feeling good now is very important regardless of what age you currently are at. If you aren’t enjoying sex now in your 30’s or 40’s you need to be asking yourself why not. You need to be facing those issues so you can get better results from the activity.

It is important to have a commitment to your partner too. Both of you want to be able to continue enjoying sex into your 60’s and beyond. It can be difficult when one of the people in the relationship isn’t able to enjoy it or to perform. By looking out for the health of each other it is going to make it possible though.

You need to feel your very best if you want to enjoy sex at that age though. Getting enough rest and enough exercise is very important. Walking as a couple can allow you to have to time to visit and communicate. At the same time you will be promoting your health and a better sex life into the future.

Don’t underestimate the value of eating right either. It can be great to try out new recipes that are good for you. Cooking as a couple can be fun and make it less of a chore. You will also find this keeps both of you healthy enough to continue enjoying sex as you are getting older.

If you don’t have a partner when you enter your 60’s you should be more receptive to the idea. Some individuals of that age group continue to be old fashioned. They aren’t willing to have sex with someone until they are married. That is a different look than what today’s society promotes. There is also the issue of protecting yourself against sexually transmitted diseases too when you are with a new partner.

Everyone should be seeing a doctor annually for a full check up. These appointments are essential as early intervention can help to prevent problems that lead to not enjoying sex. If you have any problems enjoying it before that annual exam is due then schedule another appointment. Your doctor can assist you with getting your sex life back to a place where you are happy with it once again.

It can take some patience in order to deal with problems along the way. There are many that affect both men and women. Being aware of the changes in your sexual behaviors is important. Be willing to talk about them with your partner so they know what you need. During the times when you can’t enjoy sex, you can still enjoy other levels of intimacy with each other. This will help keep the passion alive and encourage the partner to seek the assistance they need.

Do your part to ensure you are able to enjoy a healthy and happy sex life into your 60’s. There is no reason why that part of your life should stop because of your age. Staying active physically, staying connected emotionally, and even being social will all help you to really get the most out of it. Sex is a great way to share yourself with another person and you will likely want to continue doing so as you get older. Make sure you take measures now to ensure it is going to be a possibility for you.

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