The success in trials of a ‘female Viagra’ ignited debate this week when Lybrido was shown to increase desire and sexual satisfaction in women who’d gone off sex.
As a GP, I regularly speak to women who are unhappy with their sex lives – finding they are uninterested and don’t enjoy it.
Such a problem can be devastating for a relationship, and medical investigation and treatment CAN help. NHS patients can’t access drugs just yet, but there are other options.
Helping hand: Many women experience changes to their libido throughout their lives but there are ways to kick start it again
Sexual dysfunction in men is much more obvious. Is there really a need to treat women?
Very much so – but seeking help can be tricky as there is no definition of normal sexual activity: it is totally subjective. I would define loss of libido as being a noticeable reduction for the individual on her terms.
If there’s no medication for female low libido, why should I bother seeing my GP?
This new drug won’t be available for three years but we do have other treatment options. Low libido could be caused by a health issue.
Back on it: Therapy is one way to get your spark back
Thyroid problems or hormonal changes after pregnancy can reduce sexual desire, as can many medications, including antidepressants, contraceptive pills and blood-pressure tablets.
But surely that lessening of desire in older women is a natural process?
A woman’s libido diminishes after the menopause but that does not mean all women are comfortable with it.
I have lots of patients who want to maintain an active sex life many years afterwards. Dealing with low libido is no different from alleviating other menopausal symptoms, which we do through HRT.
If the problem is low hormone levels, why not just restore them through HRT?
The idea that replacing hormones will improve sexual function is over-simplistic: that is why this new drug is a breakthrough as it combines testosterone – the male hormone associated with sexual desire – with a male erectile dysfunction drug to enhance blood flow.
Could sexual counselling help?
If no clear clinical cause or lifestyle problem exists, then women with reduced libido should be offered therapy options. Psychosexual counselling is available on the NHS, although the waiting lists are long. This is a type of behavioural therapy and often couples attend the sessions together. For those who don’t want to wait, the charity Relate, which provides help for relationship problems, offers low-cost therapy.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2334347/Menopause-neednt-spell-end-sex-life.html#ixzz2V56Wvz8a
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