The average menopause lasts 3 years, 8 months and 20 days – and a THIRD of women say their sex life ends afterwards

Menopause is when women stop menstruating as ovaries stop working

Average woman had a reduced sex drive for 6 years, 4 months and 9 days

Nearly half of women said they had less sex, with half stopping entirely 

Three-fifths experienced vaginal dryness and a fifth bought lubricants  

Almost half said the menopause put a strain on their relationship 

The symptoms of the menopause lasts an average of three years, eight months and 20 days, according to a new survey.

And not only does it make some women feel less feminine, it can also wreak havoc on their sex lives.

Some lose their libido, while others stop having sex altogether.

And battling symptoms such as hot flushes or vaginal dryness, many say the menopause has put a strain on their relationship.

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The symptoms of the menopause lasts on average three years, eight months and 20 days, according to a new survey. The survey found it often drastically affects a woman's sex life, with only a fifth of women polled reporting their sex lives returned to normal afterwards

When asked how long they had suffered symptoms of the menopause, women reported they typically suffer hot flushes for three years, two months and 21 days, the poll found.

They experienced mood swings for two years, 10 months and 15 days.

The survey also found the menopause – which is sometimes referred to as the 'change of life' because women stop menstruating - can also drastically change a woman's sex life.

Almost half reporting they had much less sex once they hit the menopause - which is when they have their last period - and half of these citing loss of sex drive as the reason.

And almost a third of women stopped having sex entirely, with just a fifth reporting their sex life returned to normal.

Although 92 per cent said sexual intimacy was still important to them, 57 per cent of women said they experienced vaginal dryness as a result of the menopause.

Almost half admitted they avoided sex altogether due to menopausal symptoms.

'THE MENOPAUSE PUT A BIG STRAIN ON MY RELATIONSHIP' 

Eva Harding Bell, from Boston, Lincolnshire, developed vaginal dryness when she went through the menopause.

For Mrs Bell, the vaginal dryness, which affects 42 per cent of women, persisted for five years.

She said: 'My problems meant any kind of intimacy was ruled out which put a big strain on my relationship.'

The 65-year-old then developed a urinary tract infection this year as a result.

 Although the condition is easily treated, Mrs Bell's persisted despite taking antibiotics prescribed by doctors.

The mother of five said: 'Because the original dose wasn't having any effect, my doctor doubled the strength of my prescription but this had the complete opposite effect and caused an excruciating burning sensation.

'The problem was quite extreme and affected how I walked, sat and stood.

'Internally, the pain was like razor blades, and when I walked it was like experiencing a Chinese burn.'

Mrs Bell, an entrepreneur, described her condition as feeling that her femininity had 'been destroyed'.

She said she would urge women to explore all options relating to relief of menopause-related healthcare problems.

Mrs Bell said: 'GPs often can't prescribe alternative treatments so it's vital women do their own research - it could just change their life and give them back the joy of living.'

The poll found the average woman had a reduced sex drive for six years, four months and nine days after having their last period.

Of the women surveyed, 44 per cent also said the menopause made them feel less feminine and 44 per cent said it had a negative impact on their relationship. 

In the UK, 51 is the average age for a woman to reach the menopause, although some women experience it in their 30s or 40s, doctors say.

In the lead-up to the menopause, levels of female sex hormone oestrogen decrease, which eventually causes the ovaries to stop producing an egg each month.

They may also experience symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings and vaginal dryness before and after they have their last period. 

The survey found one in three women had used a shop-bought lubricant during sex to help with dryness, but 21 per cent admit to using Vaseline, which is not advised by doctors as it can increase the risk of yeast infections.

The study, involved 2,000 women and was carried out by Balance Activ, which make lubricants to help with vaginal dryness and Bacterial Vaginosis.

This is a condition sometimes caused by the menopause in which the balance of bacteria inside the vagina becomes disrupted, usually causing discharge.

The company's spokeswoman, Dr Rosemary Leonard, said the research is important because it sheds light on a subject 'most women prefer not to talk about'.

Dr Leonard said: 'Most women prefer not to talk about the menopause so we felt it was important to carry out this study to see how they feel about the condition, as well as how it impacts on their life.

'The research shows sexual intimacy is still very important to menopausal women, but symptoms, such as vaginal dryness, can impact on their sex lives and their relationships, with just 65 per cent seeking help.

'We urge women not to worry as there are many over the counter lubricants from healthcare specialists like Balance Activ which can help.

'However, it's important women use suitable, unperfumed lubricants to avoid causing other conditions like Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), which causes a discharge.' 

The research also found 65 per cent of women believe society underplays the menopause with 44 per cent insisting there is a stigma attached to it.

Dr Heather Currie, a gynaecologist in Dumfries, and founder of the charity Menopause Matters said raising awareness to symptoms of the menopause is important, so women recognise the signs.

She told MailOnline: 'The menopause means the last period.

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Gynaecologists say the average age a woman experiences the menopause is 50.8 years old, although symptoms can start in the early 40s

'We've known for some time the ovaries don't work for some time, it fluctuates and you get this changing time of hormonal function, and then periods stop.

'It's good that this study is raising awareness of the changes that happen with ovarian dysfunction don't just occur overnight.

Dr Currie, who is also chair elect of the British Menopause Society, added: 'From their early 40s women may begin to get hot flushes and sweats because their ovaries aren't working properly.

'Then when periods stop, oestrogen levels remain very low. This leads to changes in the vagina, and that leads to women stopping having sex.

'But this is very treatable. Balance Activ is a good formula that can help with this.'

Miss Leila Hanna, consultant gynaecologist & obstetrician at BMI The Sloane Hospital, Kent, told MailOnline the average age a woman will have her last period is 50.8 years old.

'The average hasn't changed in recent years.

'We see plenty of women who do go through it earlier, because it’s an average. It can start any time from their mid 40s up until their mid 50s. 

'The majority of women will start to get hot flushes, menstrual irregularities, they’ll feel less tolerant at work, less tolerant with their children.

'They get vaginal dryness and sexual dysfunction, urinal problerms.

'Vaginal dryness is a common problem, but it shouldn’t affect women to the extent of them stopping sex completely. 

'They should seek treatment and be given support.' 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2874534/The-average-menopause-lasts-3-years-8-months-20-days-women-say-sex-life-ends-afterwards.html#ixzz3LzqBj3s5 
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