Rev Up Your Sex Drive

 A woman's sexual desire (libido) naturally fluctuates over the years.

Highs and lows in libido can coincide with the beginning or ending of a relationship, and with major life changes such as pregnancy, menopause or illness and can greatly affect the quality of life.

 If you are finding a decrease in libido, happily there are many solutions that can help you get your groove back.

When we look at the physical causes of low libido, it's apparent that most fall under the umbrella of hormonal imbalance. Low libido is commonly accompanied by other symptoms of hormonal imbalance -- insomnia, fatigue, night sweats, vaginal dryness, fuzzy thinking. These symptoms can make daily life miserable and can also affect how patients perceive themselves. Some women say their symptoms make them feel "old and used up," as if they're losing their womanhood. In other words: not very sexy.

Estrogen helps to maintain the health of the vaginal tissues as well as a woman's interest in sex. But estrogen levels may drop during the transition to menopause, which can cause a double whammy -- decreased interest in sex and drier vaginal tissues, resulting in painful or uncomfortable sex. At the same time, women may also experience a decrease in the hormone testosterone, which boosts sex drive in men and women alike.

In addition, many women experience a low libido before menopause, and it doesn't seem to have anything to do with estrogen or testosterone levels. Women experiencing estrogen dominance due to low progesterone levels often complain of water retention, fibrocystic breasts, depression, and irregular, occasional heavy periods, as well as low libido. Progesterone supplementation goes a long way in addressing these symptoms and restoring a woman's sex drive.

We all know that chronic stress isn't good for us, but we may not realize its significant toll in depleting libido. The body interprets ongoing stress as life-threatening, so naturally, survival is prioritized ahead of reproduction or pleasure. Many women are worn out by balancing job, marriage, and caring for aging parents and young children. In essence, an exhausted woman does not have the energy for intimacy. Thus, it is also essential to test for adrenal dysfunction. (Encouraging her partner to help with the dishes, the laundry, the grocery shopping and cleaning up after the kids, is also an idea).

Testing for and treating hormone imbalance is important but remember some of the other common reasons for low libido: medications (such as anti-depressants or blood pressure medicine), drug and alcohol abuse, or being overweight. Also, a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to a lackluster sex drive. Exercise will build energy and stamina, both elements of libido.

Start simple: A comprehensive hormone panel is an easy way to help evaluate low libido. Re-establishing hormone balance may help you find your way back to a healthy and enjoyable sex life.