Libido Loss and Menopause
Decreased sexual desire or loss of libido during menopause is commonly experienced by several women. It affects approximately 30%-40% of women.
Menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life cycle just like puberty. Menopausal women experiencing loss of libido have reduced feelings and energy for sexual intercourse.
Apart from women losing their ability to get aroused or achieve orgasm, other menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and irritation may further produce a huge impact on sexual dysfunction.
A few causes of Loss of Libido…
1/4. Hormonal Causes
- Prime cause of reduced sexual desire is hormonal imbalance, particularly reduction in the oestrogen, progesterone & testosterone levels.
Estrogen
- Estrogen is essential in assisting the production of vaginal lubrication, and in maintaining the health of vaginal tissue.
- Reduction in the estrogen levels during menopause results in a set of symptoms which contribute to loss of libido.
Progesterone
- Decreased progesterone levels during menopause cause irregular periods and fatigue which can further lead to loss of sexual drive.
Testosterone
- Along with estrogen, the body further experiences a fall in the level of testosterone with age. It is believed that this drop in testosterone can also contribute to decreased libido.
- Testosterone plays a role in the sex drive and sexual sensation thus, reduction in this hormone reduces desire in women.
2/4. Physical Causes
Some of the physical causes which may give rise to decreased libido are as follows:
- Diabetes.
- Hysterectomy.
- Chronic disease.
- Vaginal dryness.
- Use of medication.
- Sexual dysfunction.
3/4. Psychological Causes
Some of the physical causes which may give rise to decreased libido are as follows:
- Stress.
- Fatigue.
- Feelings about sex.
4/4. Relational Causes
- Major life changes.
- Low sex drive in the partner.
- Intimate relationship changes.
- Changes in partner’s physical health.
- Lack of communication between partners.
Treating Low Libido
Basically, there are no drugs that can particularly treat sexual libido related to menopause. The below-mentioned options may be beneficial:
- Practice Kegel exercise.
- Hormone Replacement Therapy.
- Self-relaxation techniques to be practiced.
- Foods rich in soy, zinc and magnesium are recommended.
- Tibolone is useful in treating the symptoms of vaginal atrophy.
- Vaginal estrogen can also be useful in reducing vaginal dryness.
- Water-based vaginal moisturisers can help reduce the vaginal dryness.