Decrease in sex drive or libido is one of the most common symptoms of hormone imbalance in women and is a typical occurrence during a woman's voyage through perimenopause, menopause, and during postpartum periods.

In addition to a reduction in the overall feeling of "sexiness", low libido is often accompanied by a number of other symptoms, including:

• vaginal dryness
• vaginal atrophy
• decreased sensitivity in the clitoris
• painful intercourse

The normal hormonal imbalance of menopause such as, mood swings, weight gain, and general fatigue or lack of energy also contribute to decreased sex drive.

The Role of Hormones

Progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone all play important roles in sex drive.  Sex drive is at its peak when these hormones are balanced and typically declines when this balance is upset.

A women's level of progesterone starts declining during perimenopause and estrogen eventually becomes the dominant hormone.  It is this estrogen dominance that is often the principle cause of low sex drive in women.  Many women also experience vaginal dryness that causes pain during intercourse.  Atrophy or slackening of the vaginal muscles, as well as a general lack of sensitivity in the clitoris, are other common symptoms of imbalances in the levels of these important hormones.

Levels of testosterone may also decrease with aging and as the ovarian function declines.  This imbalance can be even more dramatic for women who have received a hysterectomy since the ovaries produce the majority of testosterone in the female body.  While testosterone has typically been understood as a male hormone, it also plays an important role in women, heightening sexual responsiveness and orgasms when it is present in sufficient quantities, and dampening sex drive and libido when it is not.

Effective Treatment is Available

Doctors now recognize that imbalances in the levels of the progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone hormones can lead to these common sexual complaints in women of all ages, and particularly in menopausal and postmenopausal women. 

Restoring hormonal balance is vital to recovering a healthy sex drive and restoring sexual enthusiasm, enjoyment, and physical pleasure.  Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) with natural hormones provides a gentle, safe and effective way to restore hormonal balance, relieving many of the symptoms associated with aging and resulting in the recovery of youth and vitality.  Unlike the synthetic hormones, which are produced from plant progesterone or pregnant horse urine estrogens and have been found to have long-term negative effects on women's health , bioidentical hormones are exact replicas of the hormones produced by our bodies naturally.  Based on compounds found in nature, typically soy beans and wild Mexican yams, bioidentical estrogen and progesterone are recognized by the body as its own.

Diet, exercise, and proper nutritional supplementation can also play an important role in sex drive and overall health and prevention.

To assess your symptoms and to learn more about how bioidentical hormones and the other safe and effective  tools of Age Management medicine can lead to hormonal balance and feelings of renewed sexual vigor and well-being, contact a certified RestoreMD bioidentical hormone doctor in your area.