Decreased interest in sex

• Between 20 and 45 per cent of women going through menopause notice an impact on their sexuality, such as feeling less desire to have sex, a loss of libido, or finding it more difficult to reach orgasm.
• The vagina may become less sensitive, which can affect your interest in sex.
• After menopause, your sexuality and libido often return naturally.
• Hormone therapy, supplements, and adjustments to diet and lifestyle can help balance your hormones. This can support you in rediscovering your sexuality.

If you experience a reduced interest in sex during menopause, this can be due to several factors. First, hormonal changes play a role. The sex hormones oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are the fuel for a satisfying sexual experience. They contribute to arousal, desire, the right mood, and a healthy vaginal flora.

When oestrogen levels decrease, your vagina may become less sensitive, making it harder to feel aroused during the same sexual activity. It can also lead to vaginal dryness and a longer time to become lubricated. This often makes sex uncomfortable or even painful (and can interfere with achieving orgasm).

Additionally, the decline in progesterone and testosterone levels (the hormones responsible for feelings of desire and arousal) can simply reduce your need for sex. Your libido may change during menopause, no matter how much you usually enjoy sex.

At the same time, your mood—whether or not influenced by menopause—and energy levels can affect your interest in sex. It’s completely normal for your sexual interest to decrease if you’re tired after a stressful day or due to night sweats.

Feelings of sadness or irritability can also make you less inclined to think about sex. The fact that menopause makes you more sensitive to stress doesn’t help either.

Many women also experience weight gain during menopause. This can lead to feelings of insecurity or increased self-consciousness. While this doesn’t apply to everyone, such feelings can contribute to a reduced interest in sex.

Finally, you may find that you yourself are changing during menopause. After all, the term “menopause” signifies a phase of transition, change, and self-reflection. You may discover new aspects of yourself, become more aware of what you want, and perhaps feel more confident.

This is a beautiful realisation and can influence how you view your relationship, sexuality, and sex life. Your needs—including those related to sex—may change. It takes time and attention, but during menopause, you can learn new things about yourself (and your relationship). This can be exciting in a positive way.

There are various ways to effectively address a reduced interest in sex. You don’t have to simply accept it. You can support your body naturally with healthy nutrition, sufficient exercise, and rest. Additionally, supplements, medications, and hormone therapy (HRT) can be helpful.

When your hormonal balance changes during menopause, it can affect your energy levels, sleep, digestion, and metabolism. Healthy nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate rest can help prevent or alleviate symptoms. Even small adjustments can make a difference in how you feel.

If you’re taking medications or supplements, a healthy lifestyle supports your body in absorbing nutrients and processing medications. This enhances the effectiveness of supplements and medication. Experts recommend the following for addressing a reduced interest in sex:

• Talk to your (bed) partner. Open communication is essential for a healthy relationship, whether it’s about your sex life, intimacy, or emotions. Share how you’re feeling. Explore together how menopause is affecting you and take the time to rediscover each other.
• More desire through more sex. The more sex you have, the more desire you may feel. Sexual activity or masturbation triggers the production of testosterone, which naturally increases your libido. Self-pleasure can also help reignite your interest in sex with your (sexual) partner.
• Take your time. Foreplay makes sex more exciting and enjoyable. Taking time for each other and extending foreplay often naturally increases your desire for sex. It stimulates the release of various feel-good hormones, helping you relax, stay in the moment, and simply enjoy more.
• Use lubricant. Sex shouldn’t be painful. If you experience dryness or discomfort during intercourse, lubricant can be a solution. It helps keep the vagina moist and alleviates pain and irritation. You can also ask a doctor to prescribe vaginal oestrogen ovules to reduce vaginal dryness.
• And remember: For many women, the desire for sex and intimacy returns after menopause, especially when they understand what their body needs.

During menopause, the hormones oestrogen and progesterone in your body fluctuate and largely disappear once your periods have completely stopped. This can cause symptoms such as hot flushes, vaginal dryness, or a reduced interest in sex. For bothersome symptoms, hormone therapy (HRT) is the most effective treatment. By replenishing the missing hormones, symptoms decrease. This helps restore balance in your body, giving you more energy and calm in your daily life.

Hormone therapy is always prescribed by a doctor and tailored to your personal situation to ensure the treatment is safe and effective.

During menopause, your body’s processes for generating energy, building muscle, and repairing skin change. You can support these processes naturally with high-quality supplements. Magnesium, vitamin D, and omega-3 are recommended for every woman going through menopause. Supplements can also target specific symptoms such as hot flushes, poor sleep, and reduced interest in sex.

The effectiveness of supplements can vary from person to person. This depends on factors such as your lifestyle and overall health. The quality of the product also determines how well it works. Choose high-quality supplements without unnecessary fillers.