Menopause Corner
- August 11, 2008 at 8:06 AM by biblethumper
- 1 Comment(s)
- 20 Total Views
biblethumper
The Symptoms of Menopause
| When Do Symptoms Start and Stop? | |
 | |
| Certain symptoms such as irregular periods appear earlier in perimenopause. Others, such as vaginal dryness, start somewhat later but continue through postmenopause. Diseases such as heart disease and cancer tend to appear later in the postmenopausal years. Source: Journal of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, 1998: 20:6 | |
| The Thermoneutral Zone | Close Window |
 | |
| Researchers found that women who have hot flashes have a lower tolerance for small increases in the body’s core (innermost) temperature than women who don’t have hot flashes. The body tries to maintain its core temperature within a comfortable "thermoneutral zone." When your core temperature rises above the zone’s upper threshold, you sweat; when it drops below the lower threshold, you shiver. Women who don’t have hot flashes have a thermoneutral zone of several tenths of a degree centigrade. But in women with hot flashes, this thermoneutral zone is extremely narrow. As a result, small variations in core body temperature that don’t trouble some women trigger hot flashes (and chills) in others. Source: Adapted from Freedman, RR. Seminars in Reproductive Medicine 2005; 23 (2): 117-125. | |
Low Sexual Desire
Sex drive may decline at midlife for a variety of reasons. Diminished estrogen or age-related changes in circulation may reduce blood flow to the genitals and cause a decrease in sensation. Vaginal dryness or thinning can make intercourse painful. And women who have sleep problems may feel too fatigued to be interested in sex. Urinary incontinence may cause embarrassment that diminishes the appeal of sex. Concern about changes in physical appearance and body image can also reduce sex drive.
A 2001 study in Fertility and Sterility showed that during perimenopause, not only did women’s sexual responsiveness decline, but their partners also had a significant increase in sexual performance problems. As a result, women in the study said they didn’t feel quite as warmly toward their partners as they had earlier in the relationship. As women in the study entered the postmenopausal years, they reported further decreases in sex drive, sexual responsiveness, and frequency of intercourse. They also had more pain during intercourse and said their partners’ performance problems had worsened.
Sex drive may be more closely associated with testosterone (a type of androgen) than with estrogen, and it’s long been assumed that low blood testosterone levels lead to low sexual desire. However, a 2005 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found no link between blood androgen levels and sexual function. There is much more to be known about female sexuality. And sexual identity is highly individual. The good news is that many women continue to enjoy their sexuality for decades after menopause
A 2001 study in Fertility and Sterility showed that during perimenopause, not only did women’s sexual responsiveness decline, but their partners also had a significant increase in sexual performance problems. As a result, women in the study said they didn’t feel quite as warmly toward their partners as they had earlier in the relationship. As women in the study entered the postmenopausal years, they reported further decreases in sex drive, sexual responsiveness, and frequency of intercourse. They also had more pain during intercourse and said their partners’ performance problems had worsened.
Sex drive may be more closely associated with testosterone (a type of androgen) than with estrogen, and it’s long been assumed that low blood testosterone levels lead to low sexual desire. However, a 2005 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found no link between blood androgen levels and sexual function. There is much more to be known about female sexuality. And sexual identity is highly individual. The good news is that many women continue to enjoy their sexuality for decades after menopause
- Written by biblethumper on August 11, 2008 at 8:06 AM
- 20 total views
- See all posts by biblethumper
- Everyone can see this journal post.
Comments:
1-1 of 1 comments
1
Want to leave a comment and join the discussion?
Click here to register for CafeMom
Already a member?Click here to log in
Advertisement
Today's Theme (47 posts)
What do you wish for most?
Read what other moms are writing
Write your own post
View Prior Themes
http://www.cafemom.com/home/mommystar3
please view my profile page for excellent information on hormones
here is one of the links
mommystar3 Aug. 30, 2008 at 3:26 PM