Low Libido In Menopause Linked To Trouble Sleeping
Women whose sexual desire diminishes during menopause are more likely to report disturbed sleep, depression symptoms, and night sweats, according to Group Health research in the June American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
To the best of the research team’s knowledge, this marks the first time that sleep disturbance has been independently associated with diminished sexual desire during or after menopause. With age, sexual desire may be diminished for both women and men, said Dr. Reed, whose clinical practice is at the Women’s Clinic at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
But gender differences may complicate matters. “For women, greater intimacy tends to open the door to more sexual desire,” she said. “That’s not always true for men.” However, changes that happen with menopause can disturb women’s sense of well-being . But experts recommend a variety of steps that women can take on their own to feel better through the transition.
Here are some of them:
Depression:
- Support ongoing regular physical exercise whatever works for you (be it yoga or karate)
to promote fitness, balance, social networking, and an energetic approach to life. - Eat small, balanced meals, including snacks, at regular intervals. Avoid getting too hungry or overeating, because a full stomach can make you feel glum.
- Try new activities.
- Spend some time every day outside in the daylight.
Low libido:
- Address the changes that menopause and age–including changes in male sexual response–can bring to relationships.
- Be aware that both women and men may need more time for arousal.
- Try learning to massage each other.
- Talk to your doctor about solutions for vaginal dryness, e.g., lubricants and topical estrogen.