You don't have to be Masters and Johnson to know that sex pervades our lives. All of the media is absolutely obsessed with it. But sex sells because we are the ones obsessed. We are deeply sexual beings , and to deny it is as ridiculous as denying hunger or thirst or the need for comradery, friendship, or love. And the statistics on sexual dysfunction and marital discord after the menopause prove this.
Sexual dysfunction is real pathology that needs to be treated.
In menopausal women, the first need that should be addressed is the estrogen. Estrogen provides structural nourishment for the vaginal tissue, lubricating glands, and the clitoris. Decreased sensitivity of the clitoris occurs with decreased estrogen. More importantly, with its absence the thinning vaginal walls may lead to painful intercourse, which then adds a severe psychological obstacle to overcome in regaining a normal intimacy between the married couple. A trial of estrogen replacement , besides addressing a possible cause of sexual dysfunction, will also provide the benefits of reducing the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.