According to the North American Menopause Society, by 2025, over one billion women worldwide will be post-menopausal. Yet despite the fact that menopause affects roughly half the population, many women still say the same thing: “No one told me it would be like this.”
Menopause is often thought to be the end of certain aspects of life, including intimacy, comfort, and confidence. But in reality, it’s the perfect time to explore what feels good in your body, your routine, and your relationships. From understanding your hormones to caring for your vaginal health and pleasure, here are five things every woman should know about thriving through menopause and perimenopause.
1. Know the Stages: Perimenopause vs. Menopause
Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause, usually lasting 4–10 years. Hormones fluctuate unpredictably, causing irregular periods, hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. Many women find perimenopause more challenging than menopause itself, simply because the changes are sudden and unpredictable.
Menopause officially begins after 12 consecutive months without a period. Once you reach menopause, your hormones stabilize, but your body continues to adjust. Understanding these stages helps you recognize what’s happening and respond with care instead of confusion.
2. Symptoms Are Diverse, But Totally Normal
Hot flashes get a lot of attention, but menopause can affect your body and mind in many ways:
Common symptoms:
-
Hot flashes & night sweats
-
Vaginal dryness & irritation
-
Mood changes & low energy
-
Sleep disruption & brain fog
Less common and surprising:
-
Irregular heartbeat or palpitations
-
Joint aches or stiffness
-
Increased facial hair
-
Formication (the feeling of bugs crawling on your skin)
3. Your Vaginal Microbiome & Hormones Play a Key Role
Menopause is a time of transformation, and your vaginal health is central to comfort and pleasure. Your vaginal microbiome, the community of bacteria that keeps your vagina balanced, is never static. Fluctuating estrogen levels, changes in pH, and lifestyle factors can shift this delicate ecosystem, sometimes leading to dryness, irritation, or discomfort.
Estrogen supports beneficial bacteria, like lactobacilli, which produce lactic acid to maintain a healthy pH and keep harmful bacteria in check. As estrogen declines, lactobacilli levels drop, potentially causing:
-
Vaginal dryness
-
Irritation or discomfort
-
Increased risk of infections
The good news: there are ways to restore balance. Vaginal probiotics, pH-friendly moisturizers, and even lifestyle adjustments can support your microbiome and create a foundation for comfortable, confident intimacy. When your vaginal health is thriving, sex feels easier, more pleasurable, and more connected.
4. Menopause Can Be the Best Sexual Period of Your Life
Contrary to common myths, menopause doesn’t signal the end of intimacy. It can actually be a time of exploration, confidence, and heightened pleasure. Wendy Strgar, founder of Good Clean Love, puts it bluntly: “Menopause can be the best sexual period of your life — I’m living proof.”
With the right tools and mindset, sex after menopause can be more fulfilling than ever. Here’s how to embrace this stage:
-
Support vaginal moisture and comfort: Use a pH-balanced vaginal moisturizer like Restore Moisturizing Vaginal Gel and a quality water-based lubricant like BioNude® Ultra Sensitive Personal Lubricant. These help ease dryness, reduce irritation, and make intimacy enjoyable again.
-
Consider localized or systemic hormone therapy (if right for you): Hormone replacement therapy or vaginal estrogen can restore lubrication, improve tissue health, and enhance sensation.
-
Strengthen your pelvic floor: Kegels can improve vaginal tone, boost sexual sensation, and support bladder control. Working with a pelvic floor therapist can be very helpful.
-
Explore masturbation and self-pleasure: Regular self-exploration increases blood flow, maintains tissue elasticity, and helps you reconnect with your body.
-
Choose your tools wisely: High-quality, body-safe lubricants and toys enhance pleasure and comfort, making intimacy stress-free and fun.
5. Many Symptoms Are Temporary
While menopause comes with changes, most symptoms ease over time as your body adjusts. Hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, and mood swings do not have to be permanent. Incorporating small, consistent habits can make a meaningful difference.
Using vaginal moisturizers and lubricants daily, maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and engaging in gentle exercise all support your overall well-being. Mindfulness or meditation practices can help manage stress, and supplements may provide additional support for energy, sleep, and libido.
With the right care and attention, you can feel balanced, confident, and fully in control of your body at every stage of menopause.
Menopause is a natural stage of life, and it can be a time of confidence, curiosity, and pleasure. By understanding your body and supporting your vaginal health, you can navigate this transition with ease. Explore our menopause and perimenopause care to find moisturizers, lubricants, and tools designed to help you feel comfortable, confident, and fully yourself.
