Not Ready For Menopause
At some point, all women will have to face menopause. With menopause, a woman’s period stops completely, usually during middle age. Menopause brings a host of physical and emotional changes. One noticeable change is a drop in sex drive. In fact, up to 63% of menopausal women will experience decreased sexual desire.
How menopause hurts your sex drive
With menopause comes a steady decline in hormones like progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen. As the body no longer needs these for reproduction, the ovaries produce less and less. Hormones like estrogen are responsible for bone health, weight, and changes in mood. Ironically, these hormones contribute to a healthy sex drive. Not only does a lack of hormones affect the desire for sex, but hormonal changes can also contribute to vaginal atrophy. These changes, along with the body’s natural physical changes with age, can kill the mood. Luckily, some treatments, like hormone replacement therapy (HRT), can help.
Getting down with HRT
HRT seeks to supplement the missing hormones caused by menopause. Doctors can prescribe HRT through pills, patches, and creams. The treatment can be tailored to each woman’s situation. Women who have had a hysterectomy, for example, need estrogen only. Most women need a combination of estrogen, progesterone, and even testosterone. The therapy brings back balance by reducing or removing menopausal symptoms completely. Hormone therapy has some side effects like headaches, nausea, cramps and mood swings.
Other powerful treatments for low libido
Women can try other natural methods to rev up libido. Exercise, for instance, improves the mood in menopausal women. Getting as little as 30 minutes a day can manage symptoms reduce stress. Other methods include stress management, over-the-counter lubrication, and sex therapy.
Going all the way natural
Herbal teas and natural supplements have been shown to improve menopausal symptoms. Studies on women using ginseng have shown an improvement in sexual function. Herbs like black cohosh, green tea, and red clover can reduce hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause.
Get the help you need today
Menopause can be a stressful period for all women. Low libido from menopause can affect relationships and spiral into feelings of depression. By using treatments like hormone replacement therapy, doctors can help women live a normal life again. Have an honest conversation with a medical practitioner for the best available treatment.