Just because you are getting older and experiencing menopause doesn’t mean that you have to accept a lower libido. Your libido is your sexual drive, and it certainly does statistically decrease with age. However, there are ways to help yourself and to prevent this situation from occurring.
Testosterone and More
During menopause, everyone knows that estrogen falls. Progesterone also falls with menopause. What many people don’t know, however, is that another hormone, testosterone, also falls when a woman hits menopause. Testosterone helps to drive the sex drive, and this is hurt in women when it decreases as they age.
Statistics about Testosterone and Libido
There are many important statistics to understand about testosterone and libido. Testosterone levels decline about 50% or are absent all together in women after menopause. Testosterone levels are definitely tied to sex drive, and as testosterone decreases so does the sex drive. This often creates problems in relationships, as people start to feel more distant and to argue more often.
Sexual Dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction is a real problem and one that needs to be treated. First, in menopausal women, a doctor will address the estrogen levels. Estrogen helps the vaginal tissue, lubricating glands and clitoris to stay healthy. The thinning vaginal walls can lead to painful intercourse, which can keep women from wanting to be intimate. Often times, estrogen replacement can greatly help a woman in this situation. In addition, estrogen replacement can help to reduce the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. Progesterone and testosterone might be added as well by a doctor to help with libido levels.
Seeking Help
It is certainly important, if you find your libido decreasing as you age, to seek the help that you need. You can start with your regular doctor and see how your hormone levels are and what other recommendations the doctor might make. You may, eventually, meet with a specialist for extra help. A sex specialist may also be able to aid you in spicing up your sex life and in making more time and space for intimacy with your partner. Certainly, all of these issues are very important to your relationship and they deserve your attention and time!
Spice Things Up
Certainly, routine, stress, frustration and depression can all lead to less intimacy and a lower libido. Try going away on a vacation together to get away from your daily stresses and to reconnect. Try to turn the television off at night and to play a game together or to go out on a date night. Think of the things that brought you together years ago and try to reconnect to some of those. Speak to others who are in similar situations, on chat groups, through support groups, with a therapist and more. The most important thing is to understand that you aren’t alone if you have a falling libido and that the issues aren’t all in your head!