5 Reasons to Have Sex in Perimenopause

Why don’t we talk about this more? Why is it still so secretive?
It’s such a hush-hush topic that myths and misinformation are rife. For instance, did you know some women actually experience an increase in libido during perimenopause? Or that a dry vagina doesn’t mean the end of sex? Or that sex can actually improve your mood? And perhaps most importantly—you don’t need a partner to reap the benefits.

Here are 5 genuinely great reasons to have sex during perimenopause and menopause:

1. It Boosts Dopamine

What a fun and natural way to fire up your dopamine receptors!
Dopamine is the neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure and reward—it’s what keeps us coming back for more. Sure, things like food (often the not-so-healthy kind), laughter, sunshine, exercise, and sleep can all give us that dopamine hit—but sex? It’s a top contender.

So if your go-to dopamine hit isn’t really serving you long-term, why not swap it for sex… or exercise. (Or both. At once? Too far? Maybe.)

2. It Improves Mood

Yes, the dopamine rush is great—but there’s more.
During sex, your body also releases endorphins and oxytocin—the ultimate feel-good duo. These hormones help you relax, reduce anxiety, and protect against low mood or depression.

And the best part? According to research, just one good shag a week can help maintain those feel-good effects. So make it count!

3. It Supports Hormonal Balance

There’s evidence to suggest that sexually active women have higher levels of progesterone during the luteal phase (the time between ovulation and bleeding). This is typically when we feel more irritable or sensitive.

Progesterone is the calming counterpart to oestrogen—helping to take the edge off the emotional rollercoaster. And since progesterone is one of the first hormones to decline during perimenopause, anything that helps maintain it is a big win.

4. Use It or Lose It

Sexual stimulation and orgasms increase blood flow to the vagina and vulva—keeping everything juicy, plump, and toned. This helps with arousal and comfort the next time, and the time after that.

As oestrogen declines, it’s common to lose tone and lubrication in the pelvic region. Regular sexual activity (solo or partnered) is like a workout for your pelvic floor—only a lot more fun.

5. It May Delay Menopause

Now this one’s fascinating.
A study that followed women over a 10-year period found that regular weekly sex was linked to a later onset of menopause. And no—you didn’t need a live-in lover. The effect wasn’t dependent on cohabitation.

Whether it’s solo or partnered, the act itself seems to send a message to the body: “We’re still in the game.”

And a Little Rant for Good Measure...

While researching this, I came across the term “sexual dysfunction during perimenopause.”
Sure. Yep. It must be our dysfunction—not that we’re exhausted, overworked, under-touched, or that sometimes our partners feel more like another child to care for than a lover. Not that society endlessly promotes youth and dismisses the power of wisdom, intelligence, and experience.

Yep. Definitely our dysfunction. Not societal.
Hahahahaha… yeah, no.

While I wholeheartedly advocate for sex in perimenopause and menopause—with or without a partner—if you’re simply not interested, that’s okay. You are still absolutely perfect. There’s nothing wrong with you. Nothing to fix. Nothing to change.

But… if you are concerned, feeling disconnected from your libido, or would love to “get jiggy with it” again—know that there is a lot that can be done. Whether it’s addressing hormone imbalances, improving pelvic health, supporting emotional wellbeing, or just figuring out where your desire has gone (and how to get it back), you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Sexual wellness is part of your overall health—and you deserve to feel good in your body at every stage of life.

References:
Arnot, M., & Mace, R. (2020). Sexual frequency is associated with age of natural menopause: results from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation. Royal Society Open Science, 7(1), 191020. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.191020

Prasad, A., Mumford, S. L., Buck Louis, G. M., et al. (2014). Sexual activity, endogenous reproductive hormones and ovulation in premenopausal women. Hormones and Behavior, 66(2), 330–338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.06.012