Can menopause affect your libido?

Our sexual desire can increase and decrease during different stages of our lives. The question is whether menopause affects our libido? The short answer is yes, so if you feel that you have recently lost your sex drive, you are not alone. Up to 55% of women in menopause report experiencing a decreased sex drive, making it one of the most common psychosexual symptoms associated with menopause.

However, it is important to remember that everyone's sexual experiences are personal. There are actually some women who say they have experienced an increased sex drive during perimenopause, so a decrease in your libido is not predetermined or inevitable when it comes to this stage of life.

But if you have noticed a decline in your sex drive since your body entered menopause, it is likely more related to menopausal symptoms than to your relationship or your sexuality.
You can find the VagiVital Menopause FSH test here https://vagivital.se/products/vagivital-menopaus-fsh-test

WHY DOES MENOPAUSE AFFECT YOUR SEX DRIVE?

There are a variety of factors that combined can cause a decreased sex drive during perimenopause and menopause. By identifying which factors affect you personally, you can find the right path to get advice and support.

HORMONES

Estrogen and testosterone are two of the most important hormones when it comes to our libido – and tend to decrease with age. Although testosterone is often considered a male hormone, it plays a major role in sexual arousal. When we enter menopause, our testosterone levels are only half of what they once were. Estrogen and testosterone work in harmony to increase our libido and encourage us to have sex. Estrogen not only has the ability to stimulate us mentally but also contributes to increased sensitivity and sexual pleasure, so when these levels drop during menopause, we become less receptive to sexual stimulation.

DISCOMFORT

Vaginal dryness is one of the most common symptoms of hormonal changes during menopause and is also a real passion and pleasure killer. Reduced levels of estrogen can lead to decreased blood flow to your genital area. This can make it harder for you to become naturally lubricated when aroused, which can make sex feel uncomfortable even if you are mentally engaged and aroused. The reduced estrogen in the body can also cause your vaginal walls to thin, a condition called vaginal atrophy. The combination of vaginal dryness and atrophy can make sex feel uncomfortable at best and painful at worst. When something that is supposed to be a source of pleasure causes pain, it is understandable that the body starts to avoid that activity as a kind of self-preservation.

OTHER MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS

But it is not only symptoms that directly affect our intimate area that can impact libido. Hot flashes and sleep difficulties can make us feel too tired for sex and intimacy.

If you experience psychological issues – such as depression and anxiety, both common during menopause – it can have a devastating effect on our sex drive. Other physical changes can also occur such as weight gain and incontinence, which can block self-confidence and the ability to enjoy.

FIND OUT IF YOU ARE IN PERIMENOPAUSE/MENOPAUSE

The VagiVital Menopause FSH test for perimenopause/menopause is designed to give an indication if you are in perimenopause/menopause by measuring certain hormone levels. It can help you gain a better understanding of the symptoms you are experiencing and facilitate decisions about possible next steps, such as seeking professional medical advice or exploring appropriate treatment options. You can find the VagiVital Menopause FSH test here https://vagivital.se/products/vagivital-menopaus-fsh-test

HOW YOU CAN IMPROVE YOUR SEX DRIVE DURING MENOPAUSE

Every menopausal symptom can contribute to the perfect storm that can prevent us from feeling connected to both ourselves and our partner – but this does not have to become the new normal in life. There are many ways to improve your libido and your sex life.

START BY RECONNECTING WITH YOURSELF

All too often we turn to external sources, or others, when it comes to pleasure. The fact is that many women of all ages do not realize that we need to reconnect with our own bodies if we really want to experience pleasure – sexual or otherwise. Spending time with your own sensuality can revive the nervous system and libido.

Menopause can involve a decline in self-confidence and a loss of control which can mean we feel separated from ourselves. When this happens, we can become numb to pleasure – whether it is sex or other feelings that are usually positive. Through self-love and alone time, you can manage to reignite that spark!

CARING FOR THE RELATIONSHIP DURING MENOPAUSE

Although your relationship with yourself can affect your sexual experience, it is only a small part of the puzzle. You may notice that you avoid talking to your partner about sex when things are not right. But avoiding the subject will not help solve the problem. By being open and honest about your feelings, you can create a bonding experience between you and your partner – which in turn can lead to improved sexual communication.

It is also important to remember that, like the hormones in the body, the different components of a relationship can affect each other. If there are relationship problems outside the bedroom, it is likely that it can affect the sex life. When menopause begins, it can bring a lot of negative feelings at home such as stress and anxiety, which can mean that as a couple you feel drained and distant from each other. Take the time to reconnect and strengthen that bond by going on outings, going on a date, planning a long weekend – and remind yourselves why you fell in love in the first place!

You can find the VagiVital Menopause FSH test here https://vagivital.se/products/vagivital-menopaus-fsh-test

ADDRESSING THE PAIN

Addressing the mental and emotional aspects is important, but if you suffer from pain during intercourse, you will find it difficult to increase your libido. One of the more effective ways to tackle painful sex is to treat vaginal dryness. VagiVital Active Gel not only provides immediate relief from irritation and dryness but also helps strengthen the skin barrier of the genital area and provides long-lasting hydration. 44% of women who have used VagiVital have reported an increase in their sex life – so it can certainly help with libido!

A decrease in sex drive does not have to be an inevitable part of menopause, and it is of course possible to have a happy and healthy sex life as you get older. Focus on caring for yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally to achieve pain-free pleasure.