Hormonal changes in women create havoc in a woman’s body. Hormones control many essential functions of the body, such as energy levels, reproduction, growth and development.
Estrogen, testosterone and progesterone hormone levels declines naturally with age, especially during the process of menopause and after it. The drastically reduced hormone levels have a very negative effect on the emotional and physical aspects of a woman’s life, and her sex life. Read on to find out how your sex life is affected due to hormonal changes:
What causes the hormonal changes in women
Menstrual cycle
Women experience their highest libido around and before the period of ovulation, with the lowest libido before menstruation. The hormonal changes due to menstruation affect the sex life of a woman.
Menopause and birth control
Women undergoing menopause and those who regularly use the Pill or other birth control methods (hormonal), experience variation in sexual desire.
Pregnancy and nursing
Progesterone and estrogen levels are high during pregnancy which leads to greater desire. On the other hand, while nursing most women report of no libido at all.
Ovary or adrenal removal
Removal of adrenal and ovaries might result in reduced sexual interest, partly due to the reduced levels of testosterone. Sex life is affected due to hormonal changes as a result of the removal of ovaries.
How do female hormones affect your sexuality
Estrogen
Estrogen, the female hormone is the primary hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle. It controls the development of sex organs and thickens the lining of the uterus. Due to many reasons, but primarily due to menopause or perimenopause (the period of time before menopause), levels of estrogen reduce drastically. Low estrogen levels impacts the sex drive of a woman negatively, and she experiences unstable sleep and mood patterns.
Progesterone
While the role of progesterone is not entirely known in the sexual functions of a woman, it is thought to contribute to a woman’s sexual functions and the decrease of this hormone also changes a woman’s sex life.
Testosterone
Testosterone is produced naturally by a woman’s ovaries and adrenal glands, and decreased levels of testosterone contribute to the decreased arousal and response in women, especially in menopausal women.
Changing hormones due to hormonal problems in a woman does affect the sex life of a woman. Decreased levels of female hormones leads to decreased libido. It can be rectified by hormonal therapy, or altering medications that might be affecting your hormones and reducing your libido.