The effects of menopause on sexual desire are very common. That is to say, menopause can reduce libido.
Last update: May 27, 2022
The effects of menopause on sexual desire are very common. That is to say, menopause can reduce libido. Lower estrogen levels at this stage of life reduce arousal and make sexual intercourse painful.
For menopausal and post-menopausal women, getting aroused can become difficult, and they also experience a loss of sensation. Obviously this can lead to a decrease in interest in sex. Lowering estrogen levels can also lead to less blood flow to the vagina. And this in turn produces less vaginal lubrication.
In this article we will look at the effects of menopause on a woman's sexual desire as well what can be done to improve libido.
Menopause and libido
The effects of menopause on sexual desire can have a negative effect on relationships, as they cause physical and emotional changes that can affect a woman's life, especially her sex life.
Among the most common symptoms are anxiety, incontinence problems, decreased sexual desire, depression, insomnia and weight gain, just to name a few.
Clearly these symptoms can affect a woman's quality of life and relationship with her partner, as well as her relationship with herself. All of these changes can generate self-esteem problems.
It is important to clarify that women do not always experience a decline in libido and sexual desire following menopause. There is also a small percentage who even the opposite happens.
Among the many factors, this may depend on a state of greater relaxation towards sexual intercourse, since the risk of a possible pregnancy is eliminated. Furthermore, menopause often coincides with the period in which mothers can stop caring for their children, who are now old enough to look after themselves; this allows women to relax and have a few moments of intimacy with their partner.
In any case, the causes that can lead to a drop in libido during menopause are many. According to a study carried out in 2012 by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Geisinger Medical Center in Denville, the rate of women experiencing sexual problems in the postmenopausal phase ranges between 68 and 86,5 percent. This is a much higher percentage than that for women who have not yet reached menopause, which ranges from 23 to 63 percent.
What are the effects of menopause on sexual desire?
Lower estrogen levels can reduce the blood supply to the vagina and consequently the tissues, including the lips, may thin and become less sensitive to stimuli.
Decreased perfusion also affects vaginal lubrication and arousal in general. Consequently, sex can become less intriguing and reaching orgasm becomes more difficult. Sexual intercourse can become unpleasant or even painful.
I hormone levels fluctuations in the period before menopause and during menopause proper can also have repercussions on a woman's mental health, which in turn can lead to a drop in libido.
Stress is also a factor that can affect sexual desire during menopause. It is a condition that usually coincides with personal and work circumstances that in some way "complicate" a person's daily life, such as arguments with adolescent children, the responsibility of having to take care of an elderly person, increased job responsibilities, etc ...
The hormonal changes a woman can experience during menopause promote irritability and increase the risk of depression, therefore, fighting everyday stress can become even more difficult.
According to an article published in the Journal of Women's Health, women who suffer the most from the side effects of menopause are more likely to experience low sexual desire. Among these effects we find: hot flashes, depression, anxiety, problems with insomnia and fatigue.
Other factors that influence this condition are the following: presence of chronic diseases, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle.
How to combat the effects of menopause on sexual desire
The actions a woman can take to increase her libido are varied, from medical treatments to lifestyle changes and even home remedies.
If there are changes in the level of the vaginal tissue, such as thinning or dryness, it is possible to opt for an estrogen-based medical treatment. One study has shown that women who use hormone therapies have greater sexual desire than women who do not.
However, the use of estrogen is not always synonymous with increased sexual desire. On the other hand, many women can benefit from the use of water-soluble lubricants during sexual intercourse.
Another option could be to see a therapist who specializes in sexual dysfunction. Regarding this possibility, it is important to emphasize that the effects of these therapies are better when you opt for a couple path.
Increasing daily physical activity can help reduce symptoms related to menopause, including decreased sex drive. Following a healthful diet can also increase the overall feeling of well-being, thus also increasing libido.
There are also natural supplements on the market to increase libido. Nonetheless, it is always best to pay attention to these supplements and make sure they do not interact negatively with other medications or treatments and that they do not have side effects and contraindications. Although these supplements are "natural" (or at least passed off as such), it is important to contact your doctor before embarking on any therapy.
