Loss of Libido Treatments

During the tremulous period of menopause, one of the most potentially frustrating yet widely experienced symptoms is the loss of libido. Feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and depression can follow, as well as problems in relationships.

What is not often understood by women is how this symptom comes about and how to cope with it when it does. Through greater understanding of one´s own libido it is possible to bring it back and enjoy an even greater intimacy with one´s partner during the golden years of life. Treatment is not only possible but more easily attained than one would expect.

Loss of Libido	Fortunately, as loss of libido is directly attributed in most cases to the shift in estrogen as well as testosterone that accompanies menopause, it is possible to address the problem at this hormonal source. It used to be in vogue to prescribe hormone replacement therapy to treat this fundamental imbalance, persistent links to breast and ovarian cancer, along with heart disease and blood clots, have caused most healthcare professionals to rethink this drastic option. Many agree that the most effective approach is to combine a few changes in lifestyle with alternative treatment options. Read on to learn about the three main approaches to treatment of loss of libido.
Loss of Libido Overview About Loss of Libido Definition Symptoms Causes of Loss of Libido Hormonal causes Other causes Loss of Libido Treatments

Three approaches for treating loss of libido:

Three levels of approaches can be considered for treating loss of libido. These are categorized as: (1) Lifestyle Changes, (2) Alternative Medicine and (3) Drugs and Surgery.

It is recommended to begin with the least risky option, lifestyle changes, before progressing up to the next stage of treatment. Drugs and surgery should be used only in extreme cases.

1: Lifestyle changes:

This primary level of treatment for loss of libido involves the least amount of risk, though conversely it requires the highest amount of self discipline. Many times some simple changes in lifestyle can reap huge benefits in fighting menopausal symptoms, and achieving a higher overall level of health.

One of the most unpleasant drawbacks of loss of libido is the problems it can cause in a relationship. A woman´s partner may feel rejected, and the woman herself unattractive and withdrawn as a result. By opening lines of communication and discussing openly both fears and anxieties, seeking counseling if necessary, these emotional side effects can be eased and the partnership strengthened.

Calming exercises such as yoga not only reduce stress levels but tone the body, improving the overall self-image, while aerobics improve heart health and increase blood flow to the pelvic area. All of this helps to combat loss of libido.

Making lifestyle changes is easier said than done, especially if one is accustomed to a certain routine. In addition, while these changes will help alleviate many symptoms, they do not address the problem directly at the hormonal source and so further treatment may be necessary. Alternative medicine has proven to be excellent for treating loss of libido in a safe and natural way.

2: Alternative medicine:

Alternative approaches involve no risk and can be an extremely effective way to treat loss of libido. This level of approach can involve several different therapies. Herbal remedies are the most prominent, though in addition women may turn to such techniques as biofeedback or hypnosis. All of these can be valid and effective options, most women find that herbal remedies are the easiest alternative treatment to follow. The others tend to require a greater time and monetary commitment. In addition, herbal remedies are the only viable option to treat the hormonal imbalance directly at its source.

Herbal Remedies	Herbs are used to stimulate hormone production.
Biofeedback	Monitors are used to feed back to women physiological information of which they are normally unaware.
Massage	Massaging muscles for relaxation or medicinal purposes.
Hypnosis	Heightened suggestibility in hypnotized state may alleviate symptoms.

In the case of herbal remedies, there are two types of herbs that can be used for treating loss of libido: phytoestrogenic and non-estrogenic herbs. Phytoestrogenic herbs (e.g. Black Cohosh) contain estrogenic components produced by plants. These herbs, at first, do treat the hormonal imbalance by introducing these plant-based estrogens into the body. However, as a result of adding outside hormones, a woman´s body may become less capable of producing estrogen on its own. This causes a further decrease of the body´s own hormone levels.

By contrast, non-estrogenic herbs, as the name suggests, don't contain any estrogen. These herbs stimulate a woman´s hormone production by nourishing the pituitary and endocrine glands, causing them to more efficiently produce natural hormones. This ultimately results in balancing not only estrogen, but also testosterone. Non-estrogenic herbs (e.g. Macafem) can be considered the safest way to treat loss of libido naturally as the body creates its own hormones and doesn´t require any outside assistance.

A combination of approaches is usually the most effective route to take. Lifestyle changes combined with alternative medicine will most likely be the best way to alleviate the symptoms of loss of libido. However, for some women the symptoms will be so severe that a more drastic treatment is necessary. In taking the leap into pharmaceutical options, side effects are inevitable, yet sometimes they can be worth it if the benefits will outweigh the risks.

3: Drugs and surgery:

Interventions at the third level involve the highest risk and often the highest costs. The most common drug therapy for treating loss of libido in the US is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This may be a quick and strong way to combat hormonal imbalance; but, unfortunately, it entails serious side effects and increases the risk of different types of cancer among women, as the following study has proven.

In 1991 the National Institute of Health (NIH) launched the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), the largest clinical trial ever undertaken in the United States. The WHI was designed to provide answers concerning possible benefits and risks associated with use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This study was canceled in July 2002, after it was proven that synthetic hormones increase risks of ovarian and breast cancer as well as heart disease, blood clots and strokes. The findings were published in JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, and to this date have not been disputed.

Furthermore, health risks aside, it has been proven in studies that HRT can actually cause testosterone levels to drop to an even lower rate (while boosting estrogen), which actually creates a further impact on loss of libido, and can be completely ineffective as a result.

If symptoms are at the level of severity that a woman is still considering this final option for loss of libido, it is wise to speak to a healthcare professional for guidance.

These three levels of approaches are not mutually exclusive. A woman may use different approaches at different times or any combination of them, depending on the duration and severity of symptoms. Today more and more women find that dealing with loss of libido is best accomplished via a combination of healthy lifestyle and alternative treatments.

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