What are common treatments for menopause-related sexual health issues?

• A. Vaginal lubricants and vaginal estrogen
• B. High-dose vitamin C and iron tablets
• C. Oral antibiotics for urinary infections only
• D. Hormone replacement therapy is never used

Answer: (A)

Menopause-related sexual health issues come from lower estrogen causing vaginal thinning and drying, which makes intercourse uncomfortable. The most helpful and common approach targets both immediate comfort and long-term tissue health. Vaginal lubricants provide instant relief from dryness and friction during sex, improving comfort right away. For longer-lasting improvement, local vaginal estrogen helps restore the vaginal lining’s thickness and elasticity, improving natural lubrication and reducing atrophy with minimal systemic absorption.

The other options don’t address these specific changes: high-dose vitamin C and iron don’t treat vaginal dryness or atrophy; oral antibiotics address urinary infections but not sexual health symptoms; and hormone replacement therapy is not never used—in fact, systemic or local estrogen therapies are common options, depending on the person’s situation. Therefore, combining vaginal lubricants with vaginal estrogen best covers both short-term comfort and tissue health.