As you go through menopause, you may notice changes in your libido, or sexual desire. While some women experience an increase in libido, others may experience a decrease. This is due to the loss of estrogen and testosterone after menopause, which can cause changes in a woman's body and sexual desire. Menopausal and postmenopausal women may find that they are not as easily aroused and may be less sensitive to touch and caresses, leading to a lower interest in sex.
However, some postmenopausal women report an improved sex drive due to lower anxiety related to fear of pregnancy. In addition, many postmenopausal women tend to have fewer responsibilities in raising children, allowing them to relax and enjoy intimacy with their partners. It is important to note that menopause and postmenopause do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You can get an STI at any time during your life when you're sexually active.
If left untreated, some STDs can cause serious illness, while others, such as HIV, cannot be cured and can be fatal. Therefore, it is important to use condoms until your doctor confirms that you are no longer ovulating and to avoid getting an STI. Don't use lubricants that aren't water-soluble, such as petroleum jelly, because they can weaken latex, the material used to make condoms. In women, both estrogen and testosterone can contribute to libido. Estrogen is made by the ovaries and body tissues; testosterone is made by the ovaries and adrenal glands.
While estrogen levels drop sharply in menopause, testosterone levels decline slowly and steadily with age. Women who have their ovaries removed before menopause usually experience a dramatic loss of libido. Some studies have shown that systemic hormone replacement therapy can improve libido and sexual responsiveness in women, although it may take three to six months before it is fully effective. In addition, the health risks could outweigh the benefits for most older women. Sometimes, your doctor may recommend changes in health habits and discuss whether prescription medications can help relieve symptoms, including decreased libido.
However, some women report an increase in libido, while others report no change in their sexual desire. Being in a new relationship can cause an increase in your libido, but after a while the shine starts to fade and you may have to work hard to achieve it. Talking to a doctor can also rule out any other underlying medical conditions that could cause a decrease in libido. The common advice seems to be that this could be due to a decrease in estrogen, which causes an increase in relative levels of testosterone in the system. Although a glass of wine can increase your libido, drinking too much can make it difficult to achieve orgasm.
Zestra, a massage oil that creates a sensation of warmth throughout the genital area, increased desire, arousal and satisfaction in 70% of women enrolled in clinical trials requiring FDA approval. Switching to bupropion (Wellbutrin) helps some women, although it may not completely restore the loss of libido. This device increases lubrication, sensation and even the number of orgasms in many women who have used it. For example, the Eros clitoral therapy device increases genital blood flow by applying a gentle vacuum to the clitoris. Because libido is a complicated problem that is both physical and psychological, these differences are likely due to several factors.
