Intimacy Issues? Rev up your libido!

The Morning Blend 2/14/13

Intimacy issues? What are you going to be doing this Valentine’s Day with your special someone? Learn how to rev up your libido and spice up your sex life in this exciting segment with Dr. Dana Reed-Kane from Reed’s Compounding Pharmacy

Interview Questions:

Question: So what is all this talk about low libido or sex drive in women…how many women does this affect?

Answer: Woman from young to old can experience low sex drive at various stages of life. For instance, younger woman may experience it after the birth of a child in their 20’s or 30’s. Perimenopausal woman in their 40’s and 50’s and menopausal woman 50 plus all can experience low libido at some point in their lives. This condition affects millions of women on a daily basis which can also affect millions of relationships.

Question:What are some of the symptoms of low libido?

  • Lack of desire or interest in sexual activity
  • Lack of emotional connection with a partner
  • Lack of motivation

Question:What causes a drop in libido or sex drive in women?
Answer:Many factors can play a role in a woman’s drop in sex drive. There may be physical causes, hormonal changes, psychological causes and relationship issues which contribute to a woman’s lack of libido.

Physical causes:
Sexual problems: pain during sex, inability to achieve orgasm, vaginal dryness
Medical diseases: arthritis, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, asthma, neurological diseases, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and many more.
Medications: psychiatric (used for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, ADHD and schizophrenia), anti-seizure medications, hormonal contraception (birth control pills, patches, IUD), synthetic hormone replacement therapy, blood pressure, cholesterol lowering, sleeping pills, pain medications, narcotics, parkinson’s and many more.

  • Alcohol and recreational drugs
  • Surgery
  • Hysterectomy
  • Fatigue

    • Hormone changes:

  • Hormone imbalances: estrogen, progesterone, DHEA and/or testosterone
  • Thyroid imbalances
  • Menopause
  • Peri-menopause
  • PMS
  • Pregnancy
  • Breast feeding
  • Adrenal insuficiency

    • Psychological causes:

    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Stress
    • Poor body image
    • Low self-esteem
    • History of physical or sexual abuse
    • Relationship issues:
    • Lack of connection with your partner
    • Unresolved conflicts or fights
    • Poor communication of sexual needs and preferences
    • Infidelity or breach of trust

    Question:What about testosterone? Can testosterone help women?
    Answer:Women produce 1/10 as much testosterone as men.

    By the time a woman reaches her late 40’s, her blood testosterone levels are appox. 50% of the levels in her 20’s (J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005;90(7):3847-3853)

    In studies, testosterone has shown many beneficial effects in women including Increasing the frequency of sexual activity, orgasm, arousal, fantasies and sexual interest. (Maturitas 2006;53:11-18)

    Question: Can a deficiency in other hormones like estrogen, progesterone, DHEA or thyroid affect libido as well?

    Answer: Absolutely! Hormone imbalances at any age or stage of life can affect libido. Most people think testosterone is the only hormone that affects libido, but a deficiency or excess of estrogen, progesterone, DHEA or even thyroid can affect libido as well. Hormone balance is the key.

    Question: What options do women have for treatment these days?

    Answer:Women today have a wide variety of options from prescription treatments and over the counter supplements to lubricants, books and more. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if any of your medications can cause problem with sex drive. If so, making changes in your current medication regimen may help. Counseling is always an option which can be used alone or in conjunction with any of the things mentioned above.

    Question: What products and services does Reed’s Compounding Pharmacy offer to help women with low sex drive?

    General Information about Reed’s Compounding Pharmacy
    Reed’s Compounding Pharmacy offers private one-on-one consultations with women to discuss female sexual dysfunction, hormone imbalances and other women’s health related issues. We work with women and couples to educate them about their options. We can also work with your health care provider and make recommendations for therapy if necessary. We compound hormone creams, gels, lozenges and capsules that can be customized for each woman’s individual needs. We also carry a wide variety of vaginal lubricants, moisturizers, stimulants and other products designed to help woman with low libido and vaginal dryness.

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