From Woman's World · Lisa Maxbauer · · 2m
Low libido after 50 isn't inevitable
Half of women over 50 experience low libido, but it's a treatable medical condition, not a sign of aging.
In brief
Half of women over 50 experience low libido, but it's a treatable medical condition, not a sign of aging. Low libido is a clinical condition called HSDD with biological, psychological, and social causes, and FDA-approved treatments now exist to restore desire. Originally reported by Woman's World.
Half of women over 50 lose desire
Around 50 percent of women over age 50 experience a noticeable drop in sexual interest. But this isn't something you have to accept as inevitable.
What counts as low libido
Low libido isn't about a specific number of sexual thoughts per week. Doctors define it as an unwanted, persistent reduction in sexual desire compared to your personal baseline.
It's a medical condition, not failure
Hypoactive sexual desire disorder, or HSDD, is a clinical diagnosis affecting many women. It's not a personal failing, and it's treatable.
“You're not broken.”
Testosterone declines after 30
Your testosterone starts trending downward after age 30, and your brain's neurotransmitters respond to these hormonal shifts, affecting sexual desire.
Brain chemicals control sexual desire
Your brain has sexual accelerators like dopamine and norepinephrine that fuel desire, and a brake called serotonin. HSDD happens when these chemicals fall out of balance.
Menopause adds physical barriers
Dropping estrogen during menopause causes hot flashes, night sweats, and genitourinary syndrome of menopause, which increases urinary tract infections and can make sex painful.
Mental health shapes sexual desire
Anxiety, depression, and mood disruptions common in midlife make it hard to feel pleasure or motivation for any activity, including sex.
Life stress overwhelms desire
Juggling children, aging parents, careers, and homes leaves many women exhausted. Relationship problems and divorces also drain sexual energy.
Some women's libido actually rises
Some women report their desire rebounded or soared after midlife because they're free from pregnancy fears, more confident, and know their partners better.
Addyi restores brain chemistry
The once-daily Addyi pill is FDA-approved for pre and postmenopausal women under 65 with HSDD. It restores balance to brain chemicals over weeks to strengthen libido.
Vyleesi works on demand
Vyleesi is an FDA-approved injection for premenopausal women that works on the brain and central nervous system, lifting libido for 12 to 16 hours when needed.
Your pleasure matters at any age
You deserve a fulfilling sex life whether with a partner or solo. Talk to your doctor about whether prescription medication for HSDD might be right for you.
“We want to be vital, healthy, happy, in charge of our own pleasure our whole life.”
The one thing
Low libido is a clinical condition called HSDD with biological, psychological, and social causes, and FDA-approved treatments now exist to restore desire.
