Menopause and Sex Drive Commonly Studied, but Answers Are Unclear

Many women have concerns about menopause and sex drive. During menopause, anxiety, depression and physical symptoms such as vaginal dryness can affect a woman's sex drive.

A study performed by the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia concluded that there was a "dramatic decline in female sexual functioning with the natural menopausal transition." Other studies have concluded that libido is more likely to decline during the post-menopausal period than the perimenopausal period. In other words, a woman's sex drive is likely to be lower during the years following menopause than the years leading up to menopause.

Researchers have examined many factors that may affect a woman's sex drive during menopause. Anxiety, depression, attitude, lifestyle, diet and exercise levels are among them. Women who have negative attitude towards themselves appear to be more likely to have difficulty achieving orgasm. During menopause, anxiety, depression and other emotional issues are likely to have an affect, not only on a woman's sex drive, but on many aspects of her life.

Depression is more common in women than in men. Many medications used to treat depression decrease sensitivity in a woman's genitals, causing difficulty in achieving orgasm. Lower hormonal levels during menopause, particularly low levels of testosterone, can also cause decreased sensitivity. Some women are still embarrassed to discuss these issues with their doctors.

Anxiety, worry and stress can inhibit a woman's ability to relax. Anti-anxiety medications often cause drowsiness and may further inhibit a woman's sex drive.

Researchers often use the term "negative attitude towards self" when discussing issues such as menopause and sex drive. This negative attitude is closely tied to a woman's orgasm experiences. Regular exercise can improve a woman's attitude toward herself, her overall sense of well-being and her sex drive.