Loss of sexual desire is one of the most common symptoms of menopause, with somewhere between 20% and 45% of menopausal women reporting a decrease in their sex drive. While some women experience a decrease in libido after menopause, studies have shown that many couples in their 50s and up through their 80s still enjoy a healthy sex life. Sex during and after menopause has always been an issue of great debate and every woman feels a different way about it. Just because you’re past menopause does not mean that you should live without sexual intimacy. This view about sex during menopause is slowly but surely changing and sex and menopause is now a topic that is open for discussion. Menopausal women are now understood to be as female as they ever were. Most women who are experiencing menopause take it upon themselves to continue their sexual life. Yet, many menopausal women face a lot of problems on the sexual front. Having to deal with mood swings, hot flashes, depression, and vaginal dryness that makes sex painful.
Causes of Decreased Sex Drive
During menopause, sex drive can drop to very low levels. Some women don’t think about sex nearly as much as they used to before menopause. Others want to have sex, but just aren’t enjoying it enough to make it worth the effort. Decreased libido is thought to be due 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 making you experience sexual desire. Estrogen helps you to feel heightened sensitivity during sexual intercourse. Progesterone keeps your libido up. Testosterone, a male sex hormone, boosts sexual desire and lubricates your vagina. When these hormones drop, the same happens to your overall desire for sexual intercourse. The symptoms that come along with menopause include: vaginal dryness, fatigue, mood swings, depression and self-image issues. A healthy lifestyle is important for maintaining a healthy sex life.
- Eat healthy foods
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Do not smoke
- Exercise regularly
- Specific pelvic floor exercises
- Talk with your doctor about symptom relief from vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and decreased sexual desire.
However, it is important to know that you are not alone. A lot can be done to help you increase your libido and feel more comfortable with your changing body. Not all women have sexual concerns after menopause, and some may feel more sexually free since there is no further chance of pregnancy. Also, women may gain self-confidence as they age. That can improve mental health and often translates to more confidence and comfort with sexual matters. Sources
WebMD
The Journal of the American Association
MayoClinic.com
Menopause.org
The American Medical Association |
