A common complaint of menopausal women is loss of libido, and this can come as a result of many things, including a hormonal imbalance. It's a frustrating and annoying symptom of menopause and one that nobody wants to go through, but a common misconception is that men don't suffer from loss of libido at all. In fact, many men also experience a decrease in sex drive. There are differences between loss of libido in men and in women; read on to find out more.
Libido Loss in Women
A loss of libido in women is often the result of low estrogen levels. Around half of all women say that they suffer from a lack of sex drive during menopause. Reasons for this are often circumstantial regarding other menopause symptoms, including:

- Mood swings
- Low self-esteem
- Fatigue
- Vaginal dryness
Understanding why this happens is crucial for fixing the problem. The main reason for a decreased sex drive during menopause is hormone fluctuations. Outside of menopause, pregnancy and childbirth are known to lead to a loss of libido.
Libido Loss in Men
Although it is not as common for a man to lose interest in sex, it can affect up to a quarter of men and often leads to concerns about masculinity. According to research, the most common cause of loss of libido in men can be seen by women. These include:

- Medication
- Blood pressure
- Fatigue
- Performance anxiety
More Considerations Regarding Libido Loss
It is important to remember that some physical causes for loss of libido that are problems for both men and women, including:
- Obesity
- Illness
- Substance Abuse

Aside from this, there are also psychological causes in both men and women that can result in loss of libido. These include:
- Difficult lifestyle
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Relationship issues
- Stress
As you can see, there are multiple reasons why somebody may suffer from loss of libido, and there can be many ways to treat it. As with any menopausal treatment, natural remedies are always the best way to begin treating any problem. A starting point could be these kinds of questions:
- How many hours do you work?
- Are you having problems with your family?
- Is your diet imbalanced or lacking?
- Do you have an alcohol problem?
- Do you smoke?
Once these have been answered, you can start to look into how to deal with it. Click on the links below for more information about loss of libido and how to deal with it.
Sources
- Channon, L.D. and Ballinger, S.E. "Some Aspects of Sexuality and Vaginal Symptoms during Menopause and their Relation to Anxiety and Depression." British Journal of Medical Psychology. June 1986. 59(2): 173-80.
- Sarell, Philip, M.D. "Psychosexual effects of menopause: Role of androgens." American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. March 1999. 180: 3S-II.
- Studd, John. "Loss of Libido and Menopause". The Management of Menopause. Annual Review 1998. Partenon Publishing.