One of these symptoms is the loss of sexual interest and desire. In fact, approximately one-third of women will experience a decrease in libido during menopause according to Dr. Philip Sarrel, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, who recently conducted a survey of sexual interest and function in postmenopausal women. This loss of sexual desire may be due to the decrease in levels of testosterone or androgen, the hormone naturally produced in a woman's body that is responsible for sexuality. The survey compared HRT users to non-users of HRT to determine the impact of menopause on sexual interest and functioning. Androgens are hormones produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands that act on the musculoskeletal, nervous, hepatic and vascular tissues and sexuality.
Women actually make more androgens than estrogens daily and convert the androgens to estrogens.
Sixty-one percent of the women participating in the survey reported a decrease in the level of sexual desire after menopause and tried estrogen replacement therapy to improve menopausal symptoms. Estrogen replacement therapy has been proven to help alleviate vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. However, a number of women continue to experience a loss of sexual desire when they are on estrogen therapy alone. Recently, many healthcare professionals have started to customize treatment by considering other options for women. There are a variety of options now available to women.