Don’t get turned off

Surely we all agree: Jumping into bed with your partner is just about the last thing you want to do when you’re feeling The Big Ow. Ironically though, what we may feel like doing the least may actually be the best thing we can do for ourselves at home.

Natural blood flow to the vagina decreases with vaginal atrophy, but pumping up the passion can help restore your natural fluids. When you get turned on, blood surges to your pelvic region, which helps to keep vaginal tissues healthy. By protecting ourselves from some of the tissue changes that lead to the symptoms of vaginal atrophy, we can do our part to help avoid The Big Ow.

Let’s be clear here, ladies: This doesn’t mean we have to suffer through sex with our partners, but it may be worth it to find ways to do it comfortably (hopefully even pleasurably!).

Open communication in the bedroom is important. If sex hasn’t felt as good as it should lately, talk to your partner about slowing things down a bit. It may help to give yourself a little more time to get aroused before intercourse, so let your playmate know that playtime may need to be extended. (He won’t mind – promise!) Let him know that you need to work together to find out what will work for you. And if it starts to feel too uncomfortable, talk to him about what would make it feel better.

Single women take note: This advice is not just for married and attached women. Even without a partner, sexual activity can decrease the problems of vaginal atrophy.