STDs and Menopause: What You Need To Know

You may be wondering if STDs are still a going concern in menopause.

Yes, sexually transmitted illnesses are and always will be a concern for women, even menopausal women. Sexually transmitted diseases do not discriminate based on age, and many menopausal women have contracted chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, syphilis, HPV, and HIV. There is still a need to protect against sexually transmitted diseases, even though some women find sexual freedom once they’re reached menopause.

Important to know is that the thinning of the vaginal wall after menopause due to a loss of hormones, in particular estrogen, increases the chances of lesions and tears and thereby increases your risk of HIV transmission during vaginal sex.

So what can you do? Be aware of these extra risks when going through menopause. Always use protection and get tested often. If you’re sexually active, be open with your partner.

You can also try HRT or some other kind of form of hormone replacement therapy – bioidenticals, even phytoestrogens can help with the symptoms of decreased hormones like the dryness, pain and micro tears that you may experience during intercourse and so this may also lessen your chance of transmission of these diseases.