You may notice more vaginal dryness during the perimenopause. This is your body's normal response to a decreased level of the hormone estrogen. This is rarely a problem during perimenopause. Your health care professional can discuss the options available to deal with vaginal dryness, such as use of lubricants available in any drug store. Once you are menopausal, you may also want to discuss hormone replacement therapy or vaginal estrogen cream to help alleviate this problem.
Some women experience a decrease in sexual desire during perimenopause or after menopause.
This may be due to a number of different factors that are not physical. However, if you experience an unwanted loss of sexual desire which concerns you, there are a number of hormonal treatments available that may help in this situation. Consult your health care professional on available options. Discuss your concerns with your health care professional to find out what your risks might be. Soy, for example, contains plant estrogens.