Painful Sex, Frequent Urination & Low Libido: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Peri-menopause & Menopause
Minal Patel - Naturopath & Food Scientist | Bhimble Wellness
Have you started avoiding intimacy because it’s uncomfortable or even painful?
Are you constantly needing to go to the bathroom and wondering where your libido disappeared to?
If you’re quietly nodding along and saying “Yes”, you’re not alone.
So many women in peri-menopause and menopause go through this, they often feel confused, frustrated and disconnected from their bodies. These symptoms don’t just affect your body, they can affect your confidence, your relationship and how you feel about yourself. You might feel embarrassed, guilty, shameful or resentful and over the symptoms.
This is common and it’s something you can improve. I can help you.
What Are Genitourinary Symptoms?
“Genitourinary” is just a fancy way of saying symptoms that affect your vaginal area (which includes your reproductive system) and your urinary system (bladder, urethra, etc).
During peri-menopause and menopause, you might notice:
- Vaginal dryness or irritation
- Pain or even slight bleeding with intercourse
- Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
- Needing to pee more often or more urgently
- A drop in libido or feeling completely uninterested
- Vaginal wall prolapse or heaviness
This is due to your hormonal changes. This is something we need to talk more about and not be ashamed of.
What Do Your Hormones Have to Do With It?
A lot of this comes down to changing hormones, especially declining estrogen.
Estrogen
Estrogen plays a big role in keeping your vaginal tissues plump, hydrated and elastic. As your estrogenn levels drop your vaginal tissues become thinner and drier, natural lubrication decreases and your vaginal microbiome becomes less acidic (more alkaline).
This shift in pH can disrupt your vaginal microbiome, making things like thrush and UTIs more common.
Testosterone
Your hormone Testosterone also declines and this can impact your libido, energy and overall desire. Additinally, things like poor sleep, stress, fatigue and other hormonal imbalances can layer on, contributing to your low libido.
Other Things Worth Checking
While hormones are a big piece of the puzzle, it’s worth looking into a few other factors with your GP or health practitioner:
- Are repeated antibiotics contributing to your UTIs?
- Could it be bacterial vaginosis rather than thrush?
- Are there signs of prolapse?
- Are any medications affecting your libido or sensitivity?
Getting clarity here can make a huge difference and getting holistic treatment is key.
Simple Ways to Improve Your Symptoms
You don’t need to overhaul your entire life, small, consistent changes can really help.
Wear Natural, Breathable fabrics - Think cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes. This helps reduce moisture build-up and irritation.
Stay hydrated - Hydration is key for keeping tissues supple and comfortable. Start your morning with a glass of water (adding lemon is a gentle boost), and sip consistently through the day.
Move your body – try strength training and some cardio. Strength training helps support healthy testosterone levels, while cardio boosts circulation - both are great for libido, mood, and tissue health.
Add healthy fats to your meals. Foods like avocado, olive oil, nuts, and seeds have healthy fats that help support your hormone production and keep your skin and your vaginal tissues more nourished.
Add probiotic-rich foods to your meals – Foods like yoghurt, kefir, or sauerkraut. This supports both your gut and vaginal microbiome.
Are You Ready for Support?
If your body feels different right now, it’s because it is changing. That doesn’t mean you have to put up with discomfort, pain or feeling disconnected from yourself.
With the right support, you can absolutely restore comfort, confidence and connection again.
If this is something you’ve been struggling with, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own
Book a complimentary Hormonal Wellness Discovery Call.
Together, we’ll explore your hormones, stress levels, metabolism, gut health and lifestyle. I will create a personalised plan to help you feel calm, in control and connected again.
With love & understanding,
Minal xx