How to increase libido during menopause

Menopause can bring lower oestrogen, vaginal dryness, discomfort with sex, hot flushes, night sweats and sleep disruption. Mood changes, stress, fatigue, body-image concerns, relationship difficulties and some medicines can also reduce interest or make arousal harder. Low sex drive is a symptom worth discussing, not a personal failure.

Pain or dryness can create a cycle in which intimacy becomes something to anticipate with worry. Vaginal moisturisers used regularly and lubricants during sex may improve comfort. A clinician can assess whether local treatment, menopause hormone therapy or another option is suitable for you.

Start with the factor affecting you most. Improve sleep where possible, make time for privacy, allow longer arousal, and talk openly with a partner about pressure and comfort. Treat vaginal dryness or pain rather than pushing through it. Counselling or sex therapy can help when stress, grief, anxiety or relationship strain is involved.

Review medicines and health conditions with a clinician before stopping anything. Ask about treatment for menopause symptoms, pelvic floor concerns or prolapse if these affect intimacy. Gentle pelvic floor assessment may be useful when there is pressure, leakage or a feeling of bulging.

Book a clinical review if low desire is persistent, causes distress, follows a new medicine, or occurs with pain, bleeding after sex, marked mood change or vaginal symptoms that do not improve. A clinician can check for menopause-related changes and other causes.

Seek urgent help for sudden severe pelvic pain, heavy vaginal bleeding, fever, or a new vaginal bulge that is very painful or cannot be pushed back comfortably. These symptoms need assessment rather than self-treatment.

Ask whether menopause, vaginal dryness, mood, sleep, medicines or pelvic floor symptoms may be contributing. Discuss lubricants, moisturisers, local treatment, hormone therapy, counselling and ways to protect comfort and consent during intimacy.