Maryon Stewart

Is it possible to maintain or improve my libido once my periods have stopped? I am concerned because I have just had my first missed period, and I only felt like having sex twice in the 36 days, which is most unusual for me. I am age 47 and I mostly eat a healthy diet.
~Christine

Maryon's Answer:

Loss of libido is incredibly common at the time of the menopause. The new Menopause Relationship Survey conducted by the Natural Health Advisory Service revealed that 59 per cent of women suffer with a loss of libido at the time of the menopause and 50 per cent find it difficult to achieve orgasm.

Most women assume that this is the end of their sex drive, but in fact it is possible to maintain libido through the menopause and after, but there are changes that occur in the body that need to be compensated for. When circulating oestrogen levels fall, which they do during the peri-menopause, the mucous production by the cells in the vagina declines and sex drive diminishes.

By consuming isoflavone rich foods like soya and linseeds throughout the day and taking specific supplements like Novogen Red Clover and Kira St Johns Wort, which has been shown to increase libido in menopausal women, sex drive returns.

If the vagina becomes dry, and the survey showed that 55 per cent of women experience this problem during the menopause, Arkopharma vaginal gel inserted twice weekly and Pharmanord Omega 7 capsules taken twice daily can help to restore the vaginal environment.