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Vaginal dryness due to lack of orgasms?

Page last modified on: October 7, 2008
Question from Cris: Is it true as you're approaching menopause that you have to "use it or lose it"? I keep reading that if you aren't having orgasms regularly then you're going to dry up. Is that really true?
Answer —Kara Nakisbendi, M.D.: While having orgasms helps with, obviously, pleasure and a release of endorphins and hormones even, it may be more about the vaginal tissue maintaining the elasticity. But it's not absolute, it really depends, I find, on the individual. Certainly, having sex for that reason and not for pleasure is not going to help, and it could make it worse. But if there's no avoidance or a discussion about not having sex due to side effects, it doesn't mean you'll have problems.

On Wednesday, February 20, 2008, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Sex, Intimacy, and Breast Cancer. Leslie R. Schover, Ph.D. and Kara Nakisbendi, M.D. answered your questions about sexual side effects of breast cancer and breast cancer treatment, and what you can do about them.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Leslie R. Schover, Ph.D.Leslie R. Schover, Ph.D. is a renowned psychologist with a special interest in helping people resolve or manage their sexual problems, especially those problems connected with a chronic illness such as cancer.

Kara Nakisbendi, M.D. is a Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist, a Board Certified Nutrition Specialist and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

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