Lack of sex drive is a common reason women come into my office.
I appreciate this because sex drive – a.k.a. libido – is not only about sex. Libido reflects motivation, drive, passion in life.
Libido reflects life energy.
I also appreciate when women acknowledge the importance of sexual health and intimacy for the health for their relationships.
[I think most men are much quicker than most women to admit the importance of sex in their lives. What do you think? Comment at the end of this blog.]
Evaluating a woman with a low sex drive starts with questions about her physical health.
Is she perimenopausal or menopausal?
Does she have vaginal dryness?
Does she have pain or discomfort with sex?
If a woman is in menopause or perimenopause (the 10 or more years leading up to menopause), her hormone levels might be rising and falling, affecting her sleep, mood, sex drive, and more.
Dr. Liz Lyster is interviewed by Kimi Avary, Relationship Navigation Specialist. Dr. Liz is passionate about helping women feel like their best selves, so they can bring health and happiness to the world.
Healthy sexuality is not just a good idea; it’s actually good for your health.
In America alone, 40 million women experience sexual dysfunction. Problems can range from a low sexual desire to problems with arousal, to problems achieving orgasm. These problems can begin or worsen during and after perimenopause and menopause.
Medical illnesses, lack of sleep, and stress may be part of the problem. If sexual dysfunction is due to psychological issues then counseling can be very helpful. Also, treating underlying physical conditions – such as lack of vaginal estrogen – can often help. While depression can cause or worsen these symptoms, medications that treat depression can also cause or worsen this dysfunction (a classic case of the treatment making the situation worse!)
Now, besides the fact that sex perpetuates the species, good sex has quite a few health benefits, for both women and men:
Bioidentical hormone therapy helps women and men feel their best well into midlife and beyond. I am often asked, “How long do I have to stay on hormones?”
I gave a short answer to this question in a previous blog. I plan to give a longer answer in my next book.
In the working world, men have an advantage – testosterone. Not only do most men have 10 to 20 times as much testosterone as most women, it isn’t made in their adrenal glands, so their adrenals don’t get as wiped out by the same amount of stress.
A few years back, I got frustrated reading studies that came up with very obvious conclusions. I got annoyed enough to create an anonymous blog called “No Duh, Doctor!”
Although this blog is no longer active, I recently came across a study that qualified.
In addition to perpetuating the species, sex has quite a few health benefits.
Sex protects our health. For both men and women, studies show that sexual activity has a protective effect on our health. In men, studies have shown a 50% decrease in the risk of cardiovascular mortality in men having frequent sex, as compared to the men in the study having the least frequency of sex. Studies also confirm similar findings in women, especially regarding orgasms.
… or, if God can “do over” the 10 commandments, Dr. Liz can give you her “3 Laws of Libido”!
Last week at the Golden Gate Theater, I saw “An Act of God” with Sean Hayes. It was awesome and hilarious. If you are in the Bay area, I highly recommend you try to see it this weekend before it heads back to Broadway.
