The Facts About Menopause and Libido
Menopause and libido loss don't have to go hand in hand. It is possible to enjoy a fulfilling sex life throughout your life.
Many women experience a drop in their libido in middle age, usually around the time they undergo menopause. While doctors once accepted this as a fact of aging, new studies suggest that it is possible and even healthy to maintain a fulfilling sex life in middle age and beyond.
The Hormonal Changes Behind the Change of Life
The transition through menopause can definitely come with discomfort. A menopausal woman's symptoms are mainly caused by a lack of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. These hormones are made by the ovaries, which stop functioning in menopause. The change in hormone levels can cause hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats and other uncomfortable symptoms. While there are certainly physiological issues to be overcome, menopause does not necessarily come with a lack of physical desire. In fact, studies have found that women are equally sexually responsive before and after menopause.
Menopause and Libido: Challenges to a Woman's Sex Drive
Vaginal dryness and discomfort is one of the top complaints of women in menopause. However, these can often be dealt with through additional foreplay and a good lubricant. Many women in menopause struggle with issues that are not so easy to resolve. Fatigue or lack of energy can be a real challenge, as hot flashes and night sweats often make it hard to get adequate sleep. Many women also feel insecurity about their aging bodies and have a hard time feeling sexual. Sometimes exercise and dietary supplements can help women to feel more energetic and more confident about their bodies.
Last, many women think that they are simply becoming too old for a healthy sex life. However, this is not the case. Women in modern times maintain health and attractiveness well beyond middle age. There is no reason to accept a loss of desire and satisfaction. Taking good care of your health, learning to love your gracefully-aging body, and setting aside time to reconnect with your partner can help to keep the spark alive for decades to come.
Holistic Approaches to a Loss of Libido
If you are suffering from a loss of libido, you are not alone. One-third of women, including young and healthy women, have this same complaint. In fact, low libido is one of the most common gynecological complaints among women of all ages.
As mentioned before, it is crucial that you get adequate rest and exercise. In addition, you should communicate with your partner about the new challenges menopause is causing in your body. If you find you are more sensitive or have less lubrication, a natural water-based lubricant can help. In addition, there are several herbal supplements that can help you maintain your former levels of desire. Royal jelly has been found to help maintain hormonal balance, which is important in menopause when hormones tend to be in transition. Maca can help give you more energy and support a healthy mood. Tongkat ali, damiana and muira palma all have been used for centuries to help with menopause symptoms as well.
Menopause is a time of change, but it does not need to be the end of a healthy and fulfilling sex life. There are many natural and healthy ways to keep your energy and libido high while minimizing other symptoms. Menopause and libido loss both can be handled successfully, allowing you to enjoy these years and look forward to a bright and energetic future.
Related Articles:
Dealing With Painful Sex During Menopause
Naturally Soothe the Symptoms of Menopause
Estrogen Levels and Low Libido: The Little-Known Link