Menopause and Low Sex Drive

Oh the dreaded "M" word. It seems to be popping up all over the place. Or maybe it's just if you are a lady around that age it draws you in like a magnet! Menopause is a fact of life, just like everything else we go through. You say there is nothing you can't deal with. You are a strong gal and can face anything. But how about when you realize that something is not quite right in the sex department. You may still love your partner significantly, but seems like it's harder and harder to get your engine started. How does that make you feel?

If you are like the rest of us it may make you feel old and finished. But if you realize that menopause comes whether we like it or not and have the attitude that you can do a few things that will possibly help, then you can hopefully weather the storm. Understanding what created the feeling of arousal and sex drive is the first thing you need to know. The fact you feel aroused comes most of the time from having your mind in the right place and the testosterone we have in our bodies.

Testosterone is not in huge quantities in the female body. Dr. Barbara Sherwin, associate professor at Canada's McGill University, believes that our sexual desire comes from the hormone testosterone.She explains that the ovaries produce one-third of our testosterone, while the adrenal glands make the rest. Usually the fat tissues is where the remaining testosterone is made. It works like this, if the woman is thin, she will have less of the hormone.

She goes on to tell us that in fifty percent of all women, testosterone production will cease when menopause begins. The other fifty percent continue to produce possibly more testosterone than before. An overload of the hormone will possibly leave you with chin hair and hair near you top lip. If you think you have a concern with too much a simple blood test can be done to detect your levels.

When you begin to feel that your arousal has changed, your doctor may want to start injections of small amounts of testosterone combined with estrogen. This injection would not affect your levels of HDL or LDL cholesterol.

Dr Ramey, a Georgetown University senior physiologist, says a little testosterone can make a significant difference in arousal and the ability to orgasm.

Additional concerns you may have with sex during this time could be increased pain and dryness in the vaginal walls. Ramey has learned that topical estrogen, such as Premarin used vaginally, would allow continued lubrication and would slow the thinning of the vaginal walls.

You should not go through this time without your partner's support. Communication is key. Help him to understand what you are experiencing is a normal process at this age. You may get mixed responses when you approach this subject.Some guys will not want to really hear about it, others will try to help you through it. Alert your partner to the things you may experience, such as hot flashes, moodiness, a feeling of inadequateness in the bedroom, etc...Tell him you may not feel as attractive as you once did or you wonder if he still finds you desirable.

Lots of 50 year old women find with these tips, that sex is better than ever. Some adventurous ladies take younger lovers, don't worry about pregnancy once their period cycles are completely over, and they experiment with new ideas and feel more alive than ever. This second half of your life can be an erotic time . It does not mean that you will feel like having sex at the drop of a hat, but the sex you do have can be more satisfying.

Reference material--The Silent Passage-Gail Sheehy-1991