New York Times Examines Hormonal Effects Of Menopause, Available Treatments

Main Category: Menopause
Also Included In: Endocrinology
Article Date: 02 Apr 2009 - 8:00 PDT

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The New York Times on Tuesday examined how the risks and benefits associated with hormone replacement therapy can affect sex for women experiencing menopause. According to the Times, many women going through menopause experience "diminished or absent" sexual desire, have difficulty being aroused or achieving orgasm, or experience pain during sex caused because of menopausal changes to the vagina.

A survey conducted by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, or SIECUS, found that of 580 menopausal women, 45% reported a decrease in sexual desire after menopause, 37% reported no change and 10% reported an increase. According to Jennifer Potter of Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, physical factors affecting sex drive during menopause include less blood flow to the genital organs and a decrease in vaginal lubrication. The Times reports that testosterone produces sexual desire in both men and women but that testosterone levels decrease by about 50% in women from age 20 until age 45 and continues to decline with age. While menopause does not directly affect testosterone production, "surgical removal of the ovaries can cause an abrupt drop in this hormone and accompanying sexual desire, especially for women who have not gone through natural menopause," the Times reports (Brody, New York Times [1], 3/31).

Therapists have questioned the effectiveness and safety of prescribing testosterone to increase sexual desire in menopausal women for several years, the Times reports. The drug Estratest, which includes testosterone and estrogen, is the only treatment currently available, but it has not been approved to treat low libido, according to the Times. FDA has not approved a testosterone patch, although testosterone creams are available at compounding pharmacies (Brody, New York Times [2], 3/31).

The Times reports that low estrogen levels are the primary deterrents to sexual pleasure in menopausal women; however, taking oral estrogen is not recommended for all women, especially for those who have had breast cancer or are at a high risk of the disease. Alternatives include vaginal application of estrogen in a cream, ring or tablet form (New York Times [1], 3/31).

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