Poor sleep and sleep disturbance have been linked to diminished sexual desire during or after menopause, reports the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The new findings are based on data from Group Health's Herbal Alternatives for Treatment of Menopause Symptoms (HALT) study, which also showed that the herbal supplement black cohosh did not relieve menopausal hot flashes or night sweats. In relation to libido, two-thirds of the women in the study reported diminished sexual desire, 43 percent slept poorly, and 18 percent had major depression. "It seems reasonable that night sweats can disturb sleep," said Group Health researcher Susan D. Reed. "And poor sleep can reduce energy for everything - including sex." She did however caution against inferring cause and effect between depression and low libido. "They are each so complex that the interactions can be difficult to tease apart."
She urged women to think carefully before beginning any type of therapy to deal with the effects of menopause. "Although systemic hormone therapy with estrogen can reduce vaginal dryness, it can also lower women's natural testosterone, which affects some women's libido," she noted. "Before starting any drug treatment for changes that happen in menopause, women need to weigh their individual risks and benefits with their doctors."
"Diminished desire can be a red flag that the relationship needs some work," Reed concluded. "Middle age is a great time for couples to check in with each other and work toward improving communication and nurturing their partnership."
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Source: Group Health Cooperative Center for Health Studies
