Much to the dismay of a lot of women (and even their partners), sexual desire decreases during the menopausal years. There must be something behind this fact, though. Proper understanding of the relationship between libido and menopause must be thought of. This will help people appreciate what’s happening in a woman during these prime years.
Libido is termed as sexual desire or energy derived from primitive impulses. In other words, it is a motivating drive of sex in life. On the other hand, menopause is a span of a woman’s life when the menstrual cycle gradually diminishes and then stops. In this state ovarian function is discontinued and childbearing capacity comes to an end. Its onset usually occurs at about 45 years of age.
The relationship between libido and menopause
It is believed though that during menopause, sexual desire and activity is unaffected. Some says that it may even be heightened as menstruation ceases. However, there are people who believe that the loss of estrogen after menopause can result to alterations in a female’s sexual performance.
Menopause begins when the secretion of the female hormone estrogen tapers off thus slowing down ovulation and menstruation. This stage will be over as soon as menstruation comes to an end. Plenty of women describe the postmenopausal years as a time of renewed physical and emotional equilibrium and well-being. But for others, there are unpleasant complications resulting from the decline in estrogen secretion.
Question is: How does menopause affect women’s libido?
It is considered that after menopause, women suffer alterations in their sexual performances. There are menopausal females that become aware of their inability to be aroused. They no longer respond to any form of caressing and stroking thus causing reduced sexual drive.
Another important point is that lesser amount of estrogen can also result to a reduce blood source in the vagina. This tremendously affects the flow of vaginal lubrication. On a more negative note, this results to a dry and painful sexual contact.
Studies on libido and menopause
It is not only the decrease of estrogen that is tagged as the cause of reduced sexual desire. There are still plenty of factors considered like the gall bladder problem, sleeping disruptions, melancholy and fear, nervous tensions, and other forms of medications. This affects women all throughout the menopausal stage and even after.
In studies conducted, not all menopausal women suffer reduction of libido. There is even a study saying that post-menopausal females have an elevated sexual fulfillment because of the fact that they have lesser apprehensions connected to the thought of getting pregnant. Additionally, women in their post-menopausal period no longer have tremendous tasks in rearing their children, thus giving them more time to calm down and take pleasure in intimacy with their partners.
Although libido and menopause are related to each other, it is not always a fact that menopause is the main culprit in having a reduced sexual desire. There are a lot of factors you have to consider in determining the causes of lowered libido. Sometimes, it is better to say that it is all in the mind. If ever this problem arises, find a cure through several ways of enhancing libido.
