Surprise: Menopause can actually make sex better
As children grow up, the body changes and relationships enter a new phase, sex therapist Hagit Artzi explains how menopause can become an opportunity to rediscover sexuality
Hagit Artzi, a 52-year-old sex and art therapist based in Hadera, reports a common concern among her menopausal patients: a decline in their sex lives following the departure of their children. Artzi explains that this change often reveals existing distance between partners, who have been preoccupied with their children's upbringing.
This newfound space within the home can lead to a feeling of emptiness in the relationship. Physical changes associated with menopause, such as vaginal dryness and hormonal fluctuations, can also impact sexual desire and comfort. Artzi emphasizes that societal expectations often deem women past their reproductive years as unsuitable for sexual exploration, causing feelings of guilt or self-doubt.
However, she asserts that menopause can also facilitate a "sexual blossoming" if women embrace the newfound self-confidence, professional independence, and freedom from pregnancy fears. She recommends consulting a gynecologist for lubricants and pelvic-floor exercises to alleviate pain, and encourages experimenting with different forms of touch and foreplay to discover what feels pleasurable in the current stage of life.
Artzi integrates art therapy into her practice by using a "sexual timeline" to help patients identify and address past issues that may be influencing their present sexuality, thus providing a fresh perspective on redefining intimacy at any age.
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