Estrogen creams and oral estrogen can restore secretions and tissue elasticity. Water-soluble lubricants can also help. While changes in hormone production are cited as the major reason for changes in sexual behavior, many other interpersonal, psychological, and cultural factors can come into play. For instance, a Swedish study found that many women use menopause as an excuse to stop sex completely after years of disinterest. Many physicians, however, question if declining interest is the cause or the result of less frequent intercourse.
Some women actually feel liberated after menopause and report an increased interest in sex.
They say they feel relieved that pregnancy is no longer a worry. For women in perimenopause, birth control is a confusing issue. Doctors advise all women who have menstruated, even if irregularly, within the past year to continue using birth control. Unfortunately, contraceptive options are limited. Hormone-based oral and implantable contraceptives are risky in older women who smoke.