Women's sexual health quiz: How does menopause affect sex?

Stress is the most common cause of decreased sexual desire in women. Stress can come from many sources, such as increased demands from your family or from your job. Relationship problems with your partner can be stressful, too.

Take time for yourself, if you're feeling stressed out. Listening to music, reading or meditation may be helpful ways to relieve your stress.

It's still possible to become pregnant during perimenopause, which can begin months or years before menopause. Your ovaries are producing fewer hormones, so it may become more difficult to get pregnant. But it's still possible.

Until you've gone an entire year without periods, consider yourself still able to become pregnant. If you don't want to have children during this time, use measures to prevent pregnancy, such as condoms or birth control pills. Talk to your doctor about your options.

You're bound to experience periods of decreased sex drive, as well as periods of increased sex drive, over time. But it doesn't mean there's something wrong with you. Temporary changes in your interest in sex can be related to a number of normal body or lifestyle changes, such as fluctuations in hormone levels or increased stress.

Still, changes in your desire for sex can be frustrating to you and your partner. If changes in your sex drive continue to worry you, talk with your doctor.

Having sexual intercourse regularly may help you avoid some of the changes to your vagina that typically occur during menopause. The tissues that make up your vagina can become thinner, which can make vaginal penetration uncomfortable and sometimes painful. But having sex regularly increases blood flow to your genital area, which may help prevent pain.

Exercising regularly may increase your energy and make you feel better about yourself. This can contribute to a healthy sex life. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. You and your partner may find that exercising together, for instance taking a walk or going for a bike ride, may be a good way to spend more time together.

If you haven't been exercising regularly, talk to your doctor about a safe way to get started on an exercise program.

Talk to your doctor if you're bothered by changes to your body or changes in your desire for sex. Your doctor can determine possible causes of your signs and symptoms, such as medications and medical conditions. Together you and your doctor can devise ways to improve your desire for sex.