Women’s sexual health expert Dr. Laura Berman discusses the brand-new findings
A groundbreaking new study from anthropologists at the University College London has made a shocking and important discovery: The less sex a woman has, the sooner she will experience menopause.
“Researchers found that a woman’s sexual activity corresponded with the onset of her menopause,” says Dr. Laura Berman, sexual health expert, television personality, and radio host of the nationally-syndicated, award-winning Uncovered with Dr. Laura Berman.
The women’s sexual health expert who has written a number of New York Times best-selling books on this very topic continues:
“In the 10-year long study, women who reported having sex once a week were found to be 28% less likely to have experienced menopause than those who had sex less than once a month,” says Dr. Berman. “Then, those women who had sex once a month were who had sex monthly were 19% less likely to have experienced menopause then those who had sex less than once a month.”
In other words, says Dr. Berman, the body may ‘shut down’ reproductive cycles if it senses that the possibility of pregnancy is no longer a reality.
“The human body is built to conserve energy,” says the sex therapist. “Ovulation and menstruation take energy, energy the body would rather save if it is no longer necessary.”
However, while these exciting results show that an active sex life can help to delay the onset of menopause, Dr. Berman cautions that women shouldn’t dread menopause.
“Yes, menopause brings uncomfortable symptoms and even some sadness, but it is also a time of rich possibility and growth,” says Dr. Berman. “We need to change the narrative around menopause and help women view it as a natural, healthy stage rather than something fearful or shameful.”
