Managing your hormones to reclaim sexual desire

close

Video

Rewire your desire

Sex Rx: Hormones change as you age and can throw off your mojo but don’t worry it can be fixed. Dr. Manny talks with Dr. Jennifer Landa, chief medical officer of Body Logic MD for some tips on getting your libido back

Hormonal changes as you age cause frustrating symptoms, such as vaginal dryness, loss of orgasm and low libido. Identifying the root cause of these symptoms can help you build a treatment plan to manage your hormones and ensure lifelong wellbeing – in and out of the bedroom.

This “Rewire Your Desire” guide can help women reclaim their sexual health through healthy hormone management.

Progesterone/Estrogen Balance

For women, progesterone and estrogen must be maintained in a delicate balance to ensure optimal sexual health. Estrogen dominance is a common problem observed in women of all ages. Genetics, childbirth and aging can impact estrogen levels and lead to uncomfortable symptoms – including low sex drive.

Symptoms of estrogen dominance include:

- Low sex drive
- Foggy brain
- Irritability
- PMS
- Sleeplessness
- Anxiety

The best treatment for estrogen dominance is progesterone therapy. Progesterone plays a key role in not only the sexual health of a woman, but in multiple aspects of her well-being.  A recent study found that lack of appreciation between partners in a relationship is often linked to poor sleep. Too little progesterone can impact sleep, mood and sexual desire and even mindfulness. Women suffering from low levels of progesterone or too much estrogen may find their mental state unraveling and their relationships difficult to manage.

Testosterone

Many people believe that testosterone is the man’s hormone and estrogen is the woman’s hormone. While each sex functions optimally with higher levels of each respective hormone, both hormones play a role in the physiology of both sexes.

In both men and women, testosterone plays a significant role in sexual health. Testosterone is the hormone of desire – it is the key component to a healthy sex drive, including sexual desire, sexual responsiveness and sensitivity.

Testosterone also impacts other components of a woman’s health:

- Increases thickness of vaginal tissues
- Increases energy
- Sharpens memory
- Stabilizes mood – acts as an “emotional shield”
- Improves self-confidence, self-esteem
- Maintain lean muscle mass, reduces fat

Much like estrogen, testosterone must be carefully maintained at levels unique to each woman. Women who naturally have higher levels of testosterone may find testosterone therapy essential as levels plummet with age, while other women may not notice the decline. Some women who have naturally low levels of testosterone may find that a little testosterone therapy can work wonders for their libido, emotional stability and ability to maintain lean muscle mass.

Oxytocin

Oxytocin or, the “cuddle hormone,” is increased by skin to skin contact. Raising levels of this hormone improves foreplay and has been shown to induce multi-orgasm sex. Lying naked together, touching or engaging in nipple stimulation can improve bonding, lower the orgasm threshold and deliver an overall heightened sexual experience.

Sex plays an integral role in your well-being; it’s more than simply a means for reproduction. Sex impacts your energy, your passion for life, your mood and should be carefully managed and protected throughout your life – and it starts with your hormones.