Hormonal
imbalance and low sex drive
Almost all women
experience loss of sexual desire at some point in their lives, most
commonly during perimenopause. Although the reasons may be as complex
as women’s sexuality itself, at Women to Women we most often
see the following root causes of decreased sex drive.
The most basic
cause of low sex drive in women is hormonal imbalance, which comes
in many forms. Progesterone is crucial to libido, and the natural
fall in its production during perimenopause can wash away sexual
desire all by itself.
Vaginal dryness
and thinning of the vaginal wall — two common effects of declining
estrogen — can make sex so painful that you dread it.
Fatigue caused
by hormonal imbalance or poor nutrition — especially excess
caffeine, high carbohydrate intake, or a lack of protein —
saps your energy and interest in sex.
Adrenal exhaustion
lowers the hormones that fuel sexual response. And for the women
who enter menopause medically, usually through hysterectomy, hormonal
imbalance is almost a given, at least initially.
Declining ovarian
function also lowers a woman’s testosterone levels. While
we think of testosterone as a male hormone, there are smaller amounts
made by a woman’s ovaries that are vital to healthy sexual
response and orgasm — crucial aspects of sexual dysfunction.
Your ovaries’
production of testosterone can be impaired by hormonal imbalance,
prescription drugs, disease, or as the result of hysterectomy. (Even
for women who have a partial hysterectomy, in which the ovaries
are not removed, over 50% experience diminished ovarian function,
because removal of the uterus often affects blood supply to the
ovaries.)
A woman’s
sexuality may also be an issue. For many women their sexual identity
is rooted in their attractiveness to men, which is typically based
on having a youthful body. As their bodies change at mid-life they
may feel undesirable and therefore less interested in sex.
Some women believe
that sexual desire is shameful or inappropriate as they get older.
Women who’ve been unassertive about their sexuality in the
past may now prefer to sacrifice their sex lives rather than become
assertive about what’s required to satisfy their sexual needs.
And women without partners may be daunted by the prospect of “dating”
again.
Many experts
believe that relationship issues are the most difficult factor to
resolve. By mid-life, most couples have accumulated enough routine
and unresolved resentments to squash any spark of intimacy or romance
— unless they work to keep it alive. Moreover, perimenopause
is naturally a time when you stop accepting unfair treatment from
your partner. For many couples, it’s easier to withdraw than
to change that unfair treatment.
You can do something
about each of these causes — and we urge you to. There is
no reason to give up on having a healthy sex life. It’s vital
to the life force that supports your mind, body and spirit.
We've had great
success solving the underlying issues of hormonal imbalance.
Our Personal
Program is a great place to start
The Personal Program promotes natural hormonal balance with nutritional
supplements, our exclusive endocrine support formula, dietary and
lifestyle guidance, and optional phone consultations with our Nutritional
Advisors. It is a convenient, at-home version of what we recommend
to all our patients at the clinic.
Start by assessing
your symptoms with our on-line Hormonal Health Profile. It’s
easy, informative, and free.
To learn more
about the Program, go to How the Personal Program Works.
For further reading about your symptoms and other health topics,
go to our Article section.
Call to set up a nutritional consultation so these tests can be performed and a comprehensive strategy of lifestyle, dietary modification and nutrient supplementation can be implemented to aid you in reversing this disorder.
For an appointment, contact our office at: 800-956-7083 and visit our web site www.completehealth institute.com go to lab tests and click on appropriate test for information.
Dr. Rispoli, Ph.D., L Ac. has had a clinical practice for over 20 years. Her programs work because she is so thorough in testing and providing a nutritional approach. Remember that the body can heal itself if given the proper nutrients.
All lab tests can be done through the mail in the privacy of your own home, except blood tests, we send you to a lab to have your blood drawn for these. After you pay for the test we mail you the kit, the results take two weeks, the test results will be mailed to us and we will call you to go over the results, its that easy! All tests include the consultation for the report of findings.
Click on area of interest on the right for more information.
Call our office for details. 800-956-7083 OR 818-707-3126. |