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Post-Menopause Libido

Menopause is defined as the end of female fertility and is marked as beginning 12 months after the final menstrual period. Perimenopause, the period of time leading up to menopause, is typically marked by irregular menstrual periods and a shift in the production of hormones that can cause numerous physical and emotional symptoms, including changes in the libido.

  1. Identification

    • The onset of menopause is frequently accompanied by such symptoms as irregular periods, vaginal dryness, mood swings, loss of fullness in the breasts, thinning of the hair, increase of fat in the abdominal area and sleep deprivation. Each of these symptoms can result in emotional responses in a woman that may make her feel unattractive or undesirable, which can in turn affect her sex drive on an emotional level.

    Features

    • A study published in the June 2007 edition of "The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology" reported that menopausal women who reported diminished libido also reported trouble sleeping. Participants in the study who reported night sweats, poor sleep or depressive symptoms also reported a lower libido.

    Treatments

    • The use of sleep aid medications, tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in menopausal women does not appear to diminish their libido. Over-the-counter anti-depression medications such as St. John's Wart also appear to have no detrimental effect on the libido of post-menopausal women.

    Benefits

    • Although vaginal dryness may make sexual activity uncomfortable, personal lubricants can help to alleviate this complication. Many post-menopausal women report an increase in their libido as the risk of unplanned pregnancy is removed.

    Considerations

    • Many of the symptoms commonly associated with perimenopause and menopause may also indicate the presence of another medical condition that has nothing to do with the normal aging process. Women who have missed a period should not automatically assume they are entering menopause and should consult with their physician to make sure there is nothing else going on with their bodies.

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