Menopause Can Enhance Sexuality, Says Israeli Sex Therapist

Hagit Artzi, a 52-year-old sexual therapist and art therapist from Hadera, discusses common sexual challenges women face during menopause and how this life stage can also improve intimacy. Many women report feeling distant from their partners after children leave home, as couples lose their shared focus and sometimes even sleep separately. Physical changes like vaginal dryness, fatigue, hot flashes, and hormonal shifts can reduce sexual desire and cause painful intercourse, leading to avoidance and growing emotional distance.

Artzi notes that societal views often wrongly suggest that sexuality is only for the young, causing some menopausal women to question whether they should still explore or enjoy sex. However, she emphasizes that menopause can bring a sexual renaissance, as women gain more time, confidence, financial independence, and freedom from pregnancy concerns. For religious women, menopause may also ease restrictions related to family purity laws, opening new possibilities for intimacy.

To address physical discomfort, Artzi advises consulting gynecologists, using lubricants, and dedicating more time to foreplay rather than rushing penetration. She encourages women to explore what feels pleasurable now, communicate this to partners, and view changes as a chance to relearn their sexuality rather than a loss. Artzi integrates art therapy in her work to help women creatively examine their sexual history and beliefs, making menopause a prime time to redefine their sexual identity and desires.

Her key advice is to listen to one’s body and rediscover what brings pleasure, turning menopause into an opportunity for renewed sexual fulfillment.