SEX AND SEXUALITY AT THE MENOPAUSE:LOSS OF LIBIDO

This has many causes, and is not only experienced by women. The level of sexual interest starts to fall, and then continuous to decline, in men and women in their middle years. While some women undoubtedly find HRT of tremendous benefit to their sexual lives, others find it little or no help at all. It is difficult to distinguish which symptoms in women are caused by lower levels of oestrogen, and which are just the effects of ageing.

Medical causes. It is quite usual for people with various medical problems to find their interest in sex drops. This could be due to a whole range of physical disabilities, or to medical conditions they suffer from, or to medication that they take.

People, particularly men, who have had one heart attack, often have a natural fear that sexual intercourse may trigger another, and this is something your doctor (or the British Heart Foundation) can advise you about.

Gynaecological or urinary problems can make women reluctant to have sexual intercourse, and some operations can cause changes to a woman’s vagina or a man’s penis so that sex becomes difficult or impossible. Many drugs reduce sexual desire, so if you have noticed your interest in sex dropping soon after starting a different course of medicine, ask your doctor about this, and he may feel it is possible to change the prescription.