Articles on Menopause | Topics: menopause, menopausal
by Gwen Lawson
One of the biggest hurdle women face during menopause is the loss of libido. Anywhere from 20% and 45% of menopausal women have reported a reduction in their sex drive.
Every woman feels a different way about sex after menopause. Many view sexual intercourse after menopause as a total nightmare. It can be painful and arduous and embarrassing. How dare "elderly", infertile women satisfy their sexual urges? Menopausal women are viewed as sexless beings that have no business engaging in bedroom activities. Thankfully, this view is slowly but surely changing.
More and more menopausal women take it upon themselves to continue their sexual life. Yet, this poses quite a few problems. Mood swings, hot flashes, depression, and vaginal dryness that makes sex painful. However, it is important to know that you are not alone. A lot can be done to help increase your libido and make you feel more comfortable with your changing body. You should not feel ashamed or embarrassed. These symptoms are perfectly natural.
During menopause, sex drive can drop to depressingly low levels. Some women find they don't think about sex nearly as much as they used to before menopause. Again, this is natural. You shouldn't feel out of sorts for thinking this way. On the flip side, some women find they want to have sex, but just aren't enjoying it enough to make it worth the effort. Or they may simply find it uncomfortable. Decreased libido is attributed to lowered levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone present in your body during menopause.
Each of these hormones has a specific role to play in stimulating your sexual desire. Estrogen helps you to feel heightened sensitivity during sexual intercourse. This, of course, is something all women desire. Progesterone keeps your libido up, and testosterone, a male sex hormone, boosts sexual desire and lubricates your vagina. When these hormones drop, so does your overall desire for sexual intercourse. At this point sex becomes an unwanted, undesirable task that most women prefer to avoid.
Because the symptoms that come along with menopause often don't make you feel much like having sex, it is imperative that--if you want to have sex--you seek treatment. There are hundreds of treatments available to help decrease vaginal dryness, give you more energy, and take control of mood swings and depression.
Many women find that they are content with their new lowered sex drive and do not wish to seek out treatment, however, a variety of treatment options are available if you are experiencing a lowered sex drive as a result of menopause. If your low libido interferes with personal relationships, it may be a sign that it is becoming problematic. Talk to your health care provider about your symptoms and choose a treatment option that's right for you.
| Bit of History |
Democracy is the menopause of Western society, the Grand Climacteric of the body social. Fascism is its middle-aged lust.
| —Jean Baudrillard (b. 1929) |
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To combat vaginal dryness, you may want to try lubricants. Using lubricants during sex can make intercourse less painful and more enjoyable. Unfortunately, lubricants will not provide long-term relief for your low libido--they can only provide a temporary solution. But they will allow you to have pain-free intercourse.
Hormone Creams are another good option. Hormone creams contain estrogen and can be applied to the vagina in order to increase blood flow. This blood flow may allow for increased sensitivity and an easier orgasm. If this doesn't sound enticing, nothing will.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a more long-term treatment option and HRT is still viewed as the most successful menopause treatment. HRT won't boost your libido chemically, but it can help reduce other symptoms that may be complicating your sex life. This is a more involved process that should be handled with great consideration. Make sure you consult a health care provider to see if hormone replacement therapy is good for you.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is another long-term treatment option. New research suggests that testosterone plays an important role in the female sex drive. A new testosterone patch has been shown to improve sex drive in women by up to 75%. Unfortunately, this patch has not yet been approved, but similar testosterone therapy is available. Side effects may include increased cancer risk, rapid hair growth, and a deepened voice.
These are just a few ways you can improve and stimulate your sex life. There are hundreds of websites available with additional information that you should explore.
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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Kicking Up the Sex Factor During Menopause" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by HealthExerciseSports.com. |
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