Did you know menopause can impact a woman’s desire for intimacy? This condition is not uncommon, but is often not widely discussed due to embarrassment or shame.

Our mothers and grandmothers may have described menopause as “the change of life.” A woman who has been through menopause, whether because of a medical event such as a hysterectomy or natural aging, will no longer have a monthly period.

Due to changing hormone levels, menopause can bring with it a variety of symptoms including bothersome hot flashes, night sweats and feminine dryness. Menopause can also lead to decreased sexual desire or low libido in women. When a woman is dealing with a loss of sex drive, it becomes quite difficult to experience fulfilling episodes of intimacy with a partner, and the desire for intimacy can be seemingly non-existent.

This can create distress in a relationship. The medical term for this condition affecting up to one-third of adult women is known as Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD).

This should not be confused with those who have intimacy issues due to a history of abuse or those who are experiencing major life stressors.

Many women living with HSDD were once fulfilled and engaged with their partners and satisfied with their level of romance. Those same women have now experienced a shift in their hormones and a drop in their desire.

Many women are reluctant to discuss this condition with those closest to them or their healthcare provider due to embarrassment or discomfort. Options are available for the treatment of the condition, and new treatments are currently being developed.

Those who would like information regarding research in the area are welcome to contact MaryLou Gannotti at Coastal Connecticut Research by telephone at (860) 443-4567 or email marylou@ccrstudies.com.