Low libido after menopause: what should you know?

Menopause can bring vaginal dryness or irritation, making sex uncomfortable and reducing anticipation of intimacy. Hot flushes and night sweats may disturb sleep, while mood changes, anxiety, or low mood can also affect desire. Some people notice changes in arousal even when affection and attraction remain. Pelvic floor tension, health conditions, relationship stress, and medicines may add to the problem. A lower libido is worth discussing when it causes distress or affects closeness; it does not need to be judged against anyone else’s experience.

Tell a clinician whether the main issue is desire, arousal, orgasm, pain, dryness, or all of these. They can review symptoms, medicines, sleep, mood, and general health, and examine vaginal symptoms when appropriate. Water-based lubricant or a vaginal moisturiser may reduce friction; give yourself time for arousal and stop if sex hurts. Treatment depends on the findings and may include help for vaginal symptoms, mood, sleep, or relationship concerns. Do not stop prescribed medicines without advice.

Book an appointment for persistent low desire that troubles you, painful sex, ongoing vaginal dryness, or symptoms that began after a medicine change. Seek prompt assessment for bleeding after sex, bleeding after menopause, new pelvic pain, unusual discharge, or a new pelvic bulge. Hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disruption, and mood symptoms should be mentioned together because they can shape the same concern.

Could vaginal changes be contributing to my low libido? What can help with dryness or pain? Could my medicines, sleep, or mood be involved? Would an examination or tests help? Which treatments fit my health history?