Christina Ferrare: Straight Talk on Menopause and Sex
LIFESTYLE CHOICES AFFECT SYMPTOMS
Ferrare, who chose not to take oral synthetic hormone replacement therapy, explains, "I am convinced that women can solve this problem because I succeeded in getting my libido back in shape, controlling my mood swings and elevating my energy levels. I used myself as a guinea pig." Women need to know that they can determine in large part how they feel during the change of life and beyond, Ferrare adds. "We can empower ourselves to make the right choices," and these primarily involve diet and lifestyle changes.
"I got the idea for the book last year when I was interviewing [best-selling author] Dr. Andrew Weil on the 'Home and Family' show," she explains. Dr. Weil mentioned that women who were experiencing perimenopause often suffer from a lack of sexual desire. "Oh my God, that's me!" Ferrare blurted out on camera.
TESTOSTERONE LEVEL KEY
After Ferrare's dramatic confession, Dr. Weil calmly suggested that she have her physician check her testosterone levels. "I thought only men had testosterone," Ferrare says. "But Dr. Weil explained that women also make testosterone and this plays a crucial role in their libido. A very low count could perhaps be one of the reasons that I had no sexual desire." As soon as she could, Ferrare went to a female M.D. for a complete physical check-up -- and had some blood drawn to check testosterone levels. The results indicated that Ferrare had a minimal amount, so her physician prescribed a 2-percent testosterone cream to apply vaginally two or three times a week.
