Menopause is a transitional phase in women in which hormone production, hormone balance and hormone activity change significantly. These changes can significantly impair natural sex power. Menopausal women who suffer from libido problems can benefit greatly from learning more about the influence of hormones, how menopause affects libido and what can be done to restore sex drive.

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What you need to know about menopause

Libido is strongly influenced by hormone balance and hormone function. Although there are many factors that disrupt hormone balance, one of the most well-known and most significant is menopause. Studies have shown that up to 40 percent of women between the ages of 45 and 64 experience a significant drop in their libido. This decline in sex drive can be explained in part by the onset of menopause, which usually occurs in this age range.

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Perimenopause, a first phase of the disorder that develops into menopause, occurs when estrogen production decreases and ovulation becomes less frequent. This intermediate phase of irregular ovulation can take months to years. A woman is considered to be in menopause if she hasn't had a period for an entire year. The menstrual period indicates that the body is capable of ovulation, so that pregnancy is still possible. Menopause results in a lack of ovulation, which makes a future pregnancy impossible.

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Menopause is associated with various symptoms and functional disorders, including loss of libido. The symptoms of menopause may be as follows:

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- muscle pain and weakness

- hair loss

- weight gain

- hot flashes

- Heavy or missed period

- cramps

- insomnia

- heart palpitations

- acne

- Headaches and/or migraines

- loss of memory

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Each of these symptoms can create feelings of inadequacy, frustration, anxiety, sadness, and depression. Each of these symptoms can further inhibit libido.

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The major hormonal changes triggered by menopause can also increase the risk of serious health disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, mental disorders such as Alzheimer's and dementia, and various types of cancer.

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Hormonal changes and their effects on libido

During and around menopause, hormone production can be drastically reduced. These significant changes in hormone production and activity often result in significant functional disorders. One of the areas affected by these changes is libido. There are many hormones that are affected by menopausal changes, and each has its own effect on libido and sexual function.

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Progesterone

Progesterone is a regulatory hormone that maintains estrogenic activity while providing many benefits, including protection for the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Ideally, estrogen and progesterone are in a balanced relationship. When these two hormones get out of balance, serious functional disorders can occur. A drop in progesterone results in an excess of estrogen or estrogen dominance, which can worsen menopausal symptoms and increase libido disorders.

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Estrogen

Estrogen is one of the most important female hormones and influences various aspects of health, from physical form to brain function. A drop in estrogen in women can affect libido by causing vaginal dryness and therefore pain during intercourse. If left untreated, inflammation can develop, which increases the pain even more. Even worse, a lack of lubrication during sexual intercourse can cause cracks and bleeding in sensitive vaginal tissue. Low estrogen levels also inhibit blood supply to the genitals, which further inhibits sex drive.

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Testosterone

Although testosterone is generally considered a male hormone, it is an important libido factor for both sexes. Menopause can lead to a drop in testosterone, which inhibits arousal and decreases sensitivity to touch or physical proximity. These factors can contribute to a decrease in libido.

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Thyroid hormones

Menopause can also disrupt thyroid activity. An imbalance of thyroid hormones is extremely common and a multiple trigger for low libido in women. When thyroid hormones fall, overall body function decreases, leading to symptoms such as lethargy, fatigue, depression, and lack of motivation. These problems can contribute to low libido as well as dysfunction throughout the body.

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Reducing menopausal symptoms and restoring libido

Most symptoms of menopause subside over time as hormone levels return to normal. However, sexual dysfunction and loss of libido are likely to persist if menopause is left untreated. Fortunately, there are multiple approaches to alleviate menopausal imbalances and restore libido.

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Hormone disorders caused by menopause or otherwise are usually treated with hormone replacement therapies. The main goal of menopausal treatment is often to normalize estrogen and progesterone levels. Therefore, doctors often recommend treatment with synthetic estrogen and progesterone preparations. However, studies show that these synthetic drugs increase the risk of cancer, stroke, heart disease, dementia, blood clots, and breast cancer. Ideally, these treatments are avoided altogether. However, if they do have to be used, they should be taken as short as possible.

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Fortunately, there is a much safer and more effective approach to remedying the hormone imbalance triggered by menopause. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) uses hormones that are structurally identical to the hormones produced in the human body. These hormones are derived from natural plants and pose little or no risk of contributing to later illnesses or complications. Long-term treatment with BHRT is even highly recommended as it has been linked to factors of wellbeing and longevity, including maintaining bone density, reducing the risk of cancer, protecting against heart disease and stroke, and protecting nerves.

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BHRT is very beneficial for treating menopause and libido disorders as it can be tailored to the individual needs of patients. Depending on the type of disorder, BHRT makes it possible to optimize certain hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormones, and other hormones related to libidinal activity. Improving the levels of individual hormones can significantly support libido.

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Coping with menopause and reviving sex drive with BHRT

Menopause is unavoidable and affects women in many different ways. One of the most common complaints experienced by menopausal women is loss of libido and sexual dysfunction. Fortunately, BHRT provides effective treatment and optimization of various hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid hormones, which can help alleviate menopausal symptoms, including loss of libido.