As you go through perimenopause, you may find that your libido or sexual desire is changing. While some women experience a decrease in their libido, others may find that their sexual appetite is increasing. It is possible to reawaken your libido during this time and even have the best sex of your life. The decrease in libido during menopause is often due to decreased hormone levels.
However, some women may experience an increase in their libido after menopause. This could be due to reduced stress during pregnancy and decreased parenting responsibilities. If your libido is affecting your quality of life, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider who may be able to refer you to a sex therapist. Understanding the connection between perimenopause and increased libido, as well as what's causing this change, can help you accept your growing appetite for sexual intimacy. After menopause, some people experience a higher risk of heart disease, due in part to the effects of menopause on cholesterol levels.
Other symptoms that lead to loss of libido, such as night sweats, eventually disappear in most women. If you have a loss of libido, you can try increasing your sexual desire with lifestyle changes or sexual aids, such as lubricants. There is also some evidence that moderate doses of testosterone can help women going through menopause increase their libido. Therapy, both alone and as a couple, can help you control some of the menopausal mood symptoms and help you understand how to control decreased libido. It is important to remember that increased libido doesn't only occur in married women during perimenopause. Women starting new relationships may also experience an increase in their sexual desire.
If you are going through menopause and notice changes in your libido, talking to a doctor can help you determine the underlying cause of those changes.
