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This section addresses the role of sex hormones in maintaining
libido and sexual function. It discusses the manner in which a natural, or surgical menopause, or medications may
affect the sexual experience and provides treatment options to restore sexual desire and function.
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There just doesn’t seem to be any way of getting around it. If you’re menopausal
and want to be at your optimum sexually, you need to replace your hormones. Menopausal women, without the benefit
of hormone replacement, may be capable of enjoyable and satisfying sex. They may be capable of great sex. But ultimately
they loose the potential, as least as far as sex is concerned, to be the best they can be.
A healthy lifestyle, a positive attitude, exercise, a loving, giving, patient and understanding partner …all are
important. But, they can not substitute for adequate hormone levels. It is clear and unequivocal; the integrity
of the sexual experience is dependent on sex hormones.
EXACTLY HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN?
Diminished hormone levels interfere with optimum sexual function by their affect on sexual desire and hormonally
sensitive tissues.
Sexual desire, or libido, consists of thinking about sex, fantasizing about sex, the development of "sexual
tension" and the awareness of a need for sexual release. Some people may call feeling this way as being "horny".
It motivates us to initiate and participate in sex and if circumstances require, search for a sexual partner.
Lack of, or diminished sexual desire and loss of sexual motivation is sometimes referred to as a "desire phase"
disorder.
ARE THERE DIFFERENCES IN HOW WOMEN ARE AFFECTED?
A postmenopausal woman’s decrease in libido can range widely, from a barely noticeable fall in sexual interest
to a "sexual aversion" where the very thought of being touched in a sexual context is repulsive. A number
of patients have told me, " I feel dead from the waist down", to describe their lack of sexual interest.
Several who were affected to a lesser extent have shared, that although they really had no interest in sex or in
initiating sexual contact, once they were aroused by sexual direct stimulation, the sexual activity was enjoyable
and orgasm was possible. I have found that some women evidence little concern over their loss of libido and have
no interest in restoring it. And this is the very essence of not having a libido. Other women are devastated by
the loss and are interested in pursuing any reasonable treatment that will allow them to regain their previous
sexuality.
Unfortunately, many women who express a concern about a lowered sex drive are referred to a psychiatrist, counselor
or psychologist, before even a cursory analysis of their hormonal status and/or HRT program is considered. Certainly,
stressful life events, health, psychological or relationship problems influence libido, but these factors should
only be considered along with the menopausal woman’s hormonal status.
WHAT CAUSES IT?
The decline in sexual desire is likely a direct result of diminished sex hormone levels on the brain itself. Although
estrogen plays a part, the hormone that has been shown to be most closely associated with sex-drive is testosterone.
The ovary, although incapable of producing estrogen after a "natural" menopause, may continue to produce
significant amounts of testosterone for several years. This is the reason why many women maintain a good sex-drive
for a considerable length of time. These testosterone levels provide additional benefits to the naturally menopausal
woman. Tissues of the body are able to convert some of this circulating testosterone to estrogen. This is the mechanism
by which naturally menopausal women have fewer and less severe symptoms and health problems usually attributed
to sex hormone deficiency. If a postmenopausal woman were to undergo removal of her ovaries, this benefit would
be lost.
WHAT ABOUT PREMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WHO HAVE HAD A HYSTERECTOMY?
If the surgery is performed prior to menopause and the ovaries are preserved and their hormone secretion is unaffected,
there may be no change in libido following the post-operative healing period. In fact, some women experience a
post-surgical increase in sexual desire if prior to the surgery they had been distracted by heavy bleeding or significant
pelvic pain. There is evidence, however that in this group of patients, ovarian failure occurs up to 50% of the
time within 3 years following the surgery. If this happens, a diminished libido and other menopausal symptoms would
reflect the decline in hormone levels. Unfortunately, some physicians are not aware of the frequency of ovarian
failure following hysterectomy. I have seen many patients who were in this category, who found it necessary to
come to my office because their physicians did not believe their symptoms were possible or related to the surgery.
If the surgery is performed prior to menopause and the ovaries are removed, the fall in estrogen and testosterone
levels is abrupt and severe. As would be expected this type of surgically induced menopause almost always, results
in a dramatic fall in sexual desire.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH MY SEX DRIVE AFTER MENOPAUSE?
Significant health problems, depressive illnesses, relationship problems and certain medications can affect libido.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MEDICATIONS THAT CAN CAUSE A PROBLEM?
A class of anti-depressants, SSRI’s frequently depress both libido and potential for orgasm. SSRI’s can do this
so effectively in some patients that it is used as a treatment for obsessive sexual preoccupation and premature
ejaculation.
I have had several patients express a concern over a fall in their libido who had recently begun treatment with
an SSRI, not realizing that this was the cause. Occasionally, delayed ejaculation or inability to ejaculate develops
in men who are not aware of this side effect and can lead to conflict in a relationship if the couple doesn’t realize
the medication is responsible.
Orally administered estrogen replacement medications and oral contraceptives are absorbed by the gastrointestinal
tract and reach the liver in a "bolus". This so called "bolus effect", induces the liver to
increase its production of a substance, "sex hormone binding globulin" (SHGB) which binds to circulating
testosterone, leaving less "unbound" or "free" testosterone available to maintain libido. This
is not well known and is often not recognized as a cause for a diminished libido.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS HRT IN MAINTAINING LIBIDO?
It is very effective. Most of the frequently used regimens of HRT will maintain or restore libido. This will often
take 4-6 weeks of treatment and it helps if you are aware of this ahead of time.
Many women, especially those, who have had a surgical menopause, will need a regimen that includes testosterone
replacement. This may include some women who choose an oral regimen due its effect on SHBG levels as described
above. Testosterone can be given by most of the routes of administration, including injections, gels and subcutaneous
implants. When nothing else seems to work, subcutaneous implants rarely fail to reestablish libido.
In the late 1980’s, a television journalist who had interviewed me for some news segments, which dealt with menopausal
issues, called me with a request. He shall remain unnamed for his own protection and journalistic credibility.
He wanted to know if I could find a woman for an on-air news segment interview, "over 50", and "still
having sex". After a brief period, during which I was recovering from having been rendered speechless, I told
him that I was sure I could find someone. We made arrangements for the interview to be shot at my office the following
week.
The television journalist and his camera crew appeared at the appointed time. I introduced them to June, an attractive,
very sexual, woman of 80, who had been on HRT for over 30 years. The interview was broadcast on the evening news
the following day to a potential audience of several million. June was an educated and sophisticated woman who
was anything but shy. She informed the journalist and the viewing public, that she enjoyed sex, had intercourse
on average twice a week …and was orgasmic.
I was chuckling for days. On the way out she told me that she probably would have had sex more often had she been
getting along better with her husband. I was pretty impressed with her. I was pretty impressed with both of them.
Yes …appropriate HRT is very effective in maintaining libido.
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Dr Nosanchuk is currently in practice in Southeastern Michigan
and is accepting new patients. His office is located in Bingham Farms, a suburb of the Detroit Metropolitan Area.
Dr N specializes in the care and treatment of menopausal women and has a special interest providing treatment to
women whose lives have been altered by their menopause, hysterectomy, or both. This includes strategies to restore
quality of life, by resolving problems, such as persistent symptoms, loss of libido and disturbances of sexual
function.
Appointments with Dr Nosanchuk can be scheduled by calling (248) 644-7200
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IMPORTANT
This web site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to suggest
a specific therapy for any individual and must not be construed to establish a physician/patient relationship.
Website By Athena
All Contents Copyright © 2000-2005 menopausehysterectomy.com/drn4u.com
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