Menopause: Sex Life Surge & Midlife Change
No two women experience menopause the same way, or have the same symptoms. Over time, the waning of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormones result in a failure to produce estrogen and progesterone. The production of testosterone, which is responsible for sex drive in both genders, can also decrease by as much as 50 percent. The reason some women experience a surge in their sex drive as they enter menopause is probably an increase in relative testosterone, which occurs when estrogen and progesterone levels decrease.
Practitioners are discovering that many herbs and foods give relief to menopause symptoms. As an example, soy helps to stop hot flashes. Herbs include Dong Quai for hot flashes, insomnia, and breast tenderness. Black Cohosh for hot flashes, fluid retention, and headaches. Chasteberry, Fennel, and Anise act like estrogen and can help regulate periods.
Acupuncture and accupressure have also been shown to give relief for menopausal symptoms. Men and women need to prepare for menopause both physically and emotionally. The better physical and emotional health a woman has, the easier it is to go through menopause. Use all the help you can get from nutrition, exercise, herbs, and alternative therapies before loading your body up with medications.