HRT Could Be Best 'Sex Aid' For Women

Main Category: Menopause
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs;  Endocrinology
Article Date: 03 Aug 2003 - 0:00 PDT

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HRT could be the world's best sex aid for thousands of women reaching middle age, it was revealed yesterday.

A survey showed that hormone replacement can make a huge difference to sex as well as reducing hot flushes.

Of a group of 300 women interviewed, 50% said that after taking HRT they had re-discovered their sex drive.

A total of 47% of women on HRT thought it helped them continue to enjoy sex, 44% felt it had helped them maintain an interest in sex, and 35% believed it had returned sex frequency to what it used to be.

More than 60% of those taking part said HRT had helped them to "feel like a woman".

Dr Margaret Upsdell, a GP and senior member of the charity Women's Health Concern, which commissioned the survey from NOP, said: "Women should not be suffering in silence with their menopausal symptoms when a discussion about HRT with their doctor may be able to help."

The survey was conducted in the North, Midlands and South of England and included women aged 45 to 64.

Most women encounter the menopause in their late 40s or early 50s, the average age being 51.

About three-quarters experience menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and tiredness.

Mary, a 52-year-old teacher from Oxfordshire, explained how the menopause drove her out of her marital bed.

She said: "My nights were disturbed and felt it was unfair to interrupt my husband's sleep.

"I felt too exhausted and miserable to contemplate sex, and when we did try it was painful.

"I got to the point where I felt my marriage was breaking up due to lack of physical contact. "

After a discussion with her doctor, she decided to try HRT. Three months later, Mary's night sweats had stopped and she and her husband were sleeping together again.

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