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Causes of Loss of Libido
Loss of libido during menopause can be caused by a wide array of factors. Like many menopausal symptoms, the primary cause of loss of libido has its roots in hormonal imbalance. However, physical, psychological and relationship issues can affect the libido during menopause as well. Read below to get an in-depth look at what causes loss of libido during menopause.
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Hormonal Causes of Loss of Libido
During menopause, one of the most common identifiable causes of loss of libido is hormonal imbalance. Reductions in the levels of three major hormones can contribute to the reduction of sexual drive and energy.
Estrogen
Estrogen plays a vital role in female sexuality by increasing sensations, assisting in the production of vaginal lubrication, and maintaining the health of vaginal tissue.
As a woman approaches menopause, her body begins to produce less estrogen. This can cause a host of symptoms that can contribute to a woman's loss of libido. |
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For example, drops in estrogen are primarily responsible for hot flashes, night sweats, irregular periods, and vaginal dryness, all of which can cause or contribute to loss of libido.
Androgens/ Testosterone
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As with estrogen, the body begins to produce lower levels of androgens (e.g. testosterone) with age. Experts believe that this drop in androgens can also cause women to experience loss of libido around the time of menopause.
Progesterone
Progesterone hormones are also integral to maintaining sexual health. When levels are too low during menopause, the resulting irregular periods, fatigue and other menopause symptoms can cause loss of libido.
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While hormonal change is often a major cause of loss of libido during menopause, other factors can also cause or contribute to a woman's loss of libido. Read on to learn about these other causes of loss of libido
Other Causes of Loss of Libido
Physical Causes
Physical Causes of loss of libido
• Sexual dysfunction
• Pain-related conditions
• Medication use
• Hysterectomy
• Diabetes, Heart disease
• Anemia
• Chronic disease
• Vaginal dryness in menopause |
A number of physical and health-related factors can cause or contribute to loss of libido during menopause. Women who experience unusual symptoms in addition to reduced sex drive should speak with their physicians to rule out any serious health conditions. Women with one or more of these conditions may find that their health is a related cause of loss of libido. |
Sexual dysfunction: Loss of libido can often be caused by sexual dysfunction, including painful intercourse and the inability to become aroused or orgasm with sexual activity.
Conditions that cause pain, fatigue, reduced movement: Conditions such as arthritis, common in middle aged people, can also cause or contribute to loss of libido.
Use of certain medications:
Medications such as antidepressants, amphetamines, hormonal drugs, and elicit drugs can diminish sexual functioning and cause or contribute to a loss of libido. |
HRT and Testosterone:
Hormone replacement therapy or low-dosage birth control pills can rob the body of testosterone, leading to a loss of libido. If taken orally, these pills are metabolized by the liver, which then puts out a protein that binds to the testosterone, inhibiting it and decreasing desire. |
Loss Libido & Induced Menopause
Women who go through medical or surgical menopause often experience menopausal symptoms more suddenly and intensely than women going through natural menopause. Induced menopause can increase the likelihood of loss of libido. |
Hysterectomy: Hysterectomy can influence a woman's sexuality in different ways. Some women experience new sexual sensations after hysterectomy. In some cases, women may experience an increase in libido following hysterectomy, because they are now free from pain, uterine bleeding, and pregnancy worries.
However, when the ovaries are removed or otherwise |
affected by hysterectomy, a woman may experience more intense menopausal symptoms, including loss of libido, caused by hormonal disruptions.
In addition to physical causes, psychological issues can also cause or contribute to loss of libido in menopause. Keep reading to understand these causes of loss of libido.
Psychological Causes
Psychological illness and the normal stresses of daily life can cause or contribute to loss of libido during menopause. Psychological causes of loss of libido can include:
• Stress, Fatigue
• Changes in self esteem and body image
• Concerns about aging
• Feelings about sex outside the reproductive context
• Psychological Disease (e.g. mood swings, depression, and anxiety) |
Research
One study found that anxiety was one of the biggest factors in reduced frequency of sexual intercourse for women during menopause. |
Factors relating to relationships, which can sometimes have a psychological dimension, can also cause or aggravate loss of libido during menopause. Read on to learn more about these causes of loss of libido.
Relational Causes
A woman's intimate, family, and social relationships can have a significant effect on how she feels sexually. For example, unresolved or past issues with a partner can cause or exacerbate loss of sexual desire during menopause. Major life changes can also cause a loss of libido. The most common relational factors causing or contributing to of loss of libido include:
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• Changes in partner's physical health.
• Changes in intimate relationship.
• The availability of partner.
• Lack of communication between partners.
• Changing social role.
• Family changes, e.g. children moving out.
• Low sex drive in partner. |
Studies have shown that if a post-menopausal woman has a sexually enthusiastic partner(s) her libido is maintained for many years following menopause.
While the causes of loss of libido are many and complex, women often find that lifestyle changes and natural remedies can do wonders to stimulate libido around the time of menopause. To learn more about these safe and effective treatments of loss of libido, read on to the next section.
Return to home page and learn more about the 34 Menopause Symptoms.
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