Exploring the Connection Between Menopause and Libido

Low libido is a common sexual issue experienced by women during menopause.

Menopause is a natural process that defines the end of a woman’s reproductive cycle. 

It generally impacts women in their late 40s and early 50s. 

It is characterized by a significant decrease in the production of progesterone and estrogen, two reproductive hormones. 

This change in hormones may affect a woman’s body in many ways, including her libido and sexual health.

This article discovers the connection between menopause and libido and the factors affecting libido during menopause.

We will also look into the various methods to boost libido during menopause.

The connection between menopause and libido

Every woman encounters menopause in different ways, and not all women experience the symptoms of menopause in the same way.

Some women may experience low libido or a decline in sex drive during menopause. 

Still, others may find that reduced Anxiety about accidental pregnancy  due to menopause makes their sex life more joyful.

A decrease in desire for sexual activity, a dry vagina, and uncomfortable sexual relations are among the most prominent menopausal symptoms. 

These symptoms could result from stress and the hormonal changes that occur during menopause. 

Additionally, estrogen levels often start to drop in people in their 40s. 

Since estrogen plays an essential role in a woman’s libido, a decrease in its production can lead to low libido or less interest in sexual activity

The physical and mental changes that come with menopause affect a woman’s personal life, particularly their sexual life.

All those changes can directly or indirectly lead to low libido in females.

Hence, one can say that menopause and libido in women are interlinked.

Recommended read: Understanding Women’s Sex Drive After 40: Debunking Myths and Exploring Realities

Factors affecting libido during menopause

Several hormonal, physical, and psychological factors affect a woman’s libido and sex life during and after menopause.

However, not all of them are directly linked to menopause.

Hormonal changes such as a decline in estrogen levels are the major causes of low libido in women during menopause.

But various other physical elements can also lead to low libido.

These include hot flashes, fatigue, mood swings, and night sweats.

All these can affect a woman’s overall well-being and energy levels leading to a drop in libido and sexual activity.

Also, vaginal dryness due to a drop in estrogen level can cause discomfort and pain during and after sex, making sexual activity unpleasant and undesirable.

Most women experience a lack of sleep during menopause due to night sweats or hot flashes.

Thus, sleep deprivation is another factor that can impact a woman’s libido during menopause.

According to a J Sex Med. study, women with poor sleep quality show lesser genital arousal than women getting proper sleep.

Libido can be impacted by psychological conditions such as stress, Anxiety, Depression, and issues with body image. 

Menopause-related hormonal swings and lifestyle changes might make these problems worse.

How to increase libido after menopause

Source: FatCamera_from_Getty_Images

There is no set frequency of having sex during or after menopause. 

However, looking into methods for increasing libido both with and without a partner might be helpful if it is bothersome. 

Adopting a healthy lifestyle, counseling, herbal remedies, and medical treatments can help women improve their libido during menopause.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle

You may naturally experience an increase in libido and have a healthy life after menopause with these lifestyle changes: 

• Have a healthy, well-balanced diet
• Engage in regular exercise, especially kegel exercise
• Refrain from smoking
• Stay away from recreational drugs and alcohol
• Avoid items like scented soaps and bath solutions that might irritate the vagina
• Look for strategies to improve your confidence and mental well-being
• Reduce stress with yoga, meditation, or talk therapy

Aside from sexual activity, experimenting with different sex positions may also boost libido and interest in one’s sexuality. 

You can get an orgasm without penetration, for instance, by using sex toys, oral sex, manual stimulation, and stroking. 

Counseling

Depression, Anxiety, and other psychological issues that arise with menopause leading to low libido can be managed with counseling.

Counseling might help couples who want to overcome relationship problems.

It could also encourage them to express their emotions honestly.

Additionally, people who struggle with issues related to sex, such as low libido and loss of interest in sexual activities, might benefit from sex therapy.

Herbal remedies

Various herbal supplements can be employed to boost libido during and after menopause.

These include Black Cohosh, Ginkgo Biloba, and Tribulus Terrestris.

Black Cohosh is known to overcome menopause symptoms leading to low libido, including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, heart palpitations, irritation, and sleep issues.

According to an article published in ScienceDirect, Ginkgo Biloba positively affects the sexual functioning of menopausal women.

A study published by NIH mentions that using Tribulus Terrestris for about four weeks showed an increase in sexual desire and arousal.

However, there is not much research published regarding its safety and efficacy.

Medical treatment

Source: dulvet

Medical treatments, including medications and lubricants, can aid in overcoming menopause symptoms, such as vaginal dryness, low libido, and Anxiety.

Medications like Flibanserin and Bremelanotide are often prescribed to treat sexual issues in women.

Flibanserin is an FDA-approved pill to boost libido in females; however, there is no sufficient evidence to support its effectiveness for menopausal women.

On the other hand, Bremelanotide was approved by the FDA in 2019 to overcome low libido in women during and after menopause.

Various OTC lubricants, available in the market, can aid in reducing vaginal dryness and pain during sex.

Also, for vaginal dryness, natural oils like grape seed, olive, vegetable, sunflower, or coconut oil may be a safe option. 

However, oil-based lubricants should be used with precaution because they can rupture condoms. 

Additionally, vaginal atrophy and dryness can also be treated with estrogen tablets, creams, or vaginal rings. 

Conclusion

A woman may experience low libido during or after menopause, a normal biological process marking the end of the reproductive cycle of a woman.

Menopause and libido are found to be closely related to each other.

Hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, Depression, and Anxiety, are some of the potential symptoms of menopause that may vary among women.

Menopause can lead to low libido because of several physical, hormonal, and psychological factors.

These include low estrogen levels, vaginal dryness, sleep deprivation, stress, Anxiety, Depression, and poor body image.

Various techniques can be used to regain libido after or during menopause, including medicines, herbal remedies, counseling, and lifestyle changes.

However, consulting a doctor is essential before opting for any of these methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

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