The Link Between Hormone Imbalances & Sex Life

From stress to age, several factors can contribute to hormone imbalances in women. These imbalances can lead to weight gain, fatigue, muscle weakness, and additional symptoms that affect your physical and mental well-being. Insufficient or excessive levels of certain hormones can also alter your sex drive.

If you’re wondering, “How can a hormone imbalance affect my sex life?” don’t stress. Understanding how the pieces fit together is the first step to getting back on track. And there are plenty of solutions to help keep your hormones in balance for a healthier, more satisfying sex life.

Which Hormones Are Connected to Sexuality & Libido?

There are three hormones that regulate libido: estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. Estrogen, which is produced in the ovaries, also controls menstrual cycles and aids pregnancy by making sure the uterus lining is thick enough to assist implantation. Testosterone is also made in the ovaries and contributes to bone strength and sexual arousal in women.

Progesterone is unique because it’s made in the ovaries and adrenal glands, as well as the placenta of pregnant women. This hormone also prompts the release of proteins during the menstrual cycle. 

Dietary changes, exercise, and stress can also throw off the body’s production of cortisol. Weight gain and tiredness are hormone imbalance symptoms that can have a negative effect on your sexuality and libido.  

How Do Hormone Imbalances Affect Your Sex Life?

There are different reasons the body experiences hormone imbalances. When a woman goes through menopause, for instance, the body produces lower levels of the hormones associated with sexual behavior.

Decreased estrogen levels can lead to vaginal dryness, which can make penetrative intercourse uncomfortable. With low testosterone levels, it’s harder to become aroused. A reduction in testosterone can also be caused by diseases and other issues related to the ovaries or the adrenal glands.

In addition to menopause, thyroid problems, a drop in cholesterol, and an increase in cortisol due to stress can reduce progesterone levels. When progesterone is low, estrogen becomes the main sex hormone. The extreme imbalance can lower sex drive. It can also cause feelings of sadness that can affect your sexuality and other aspects of life. 

How Can You Restore Hormonal Balance?

Hormone imbalances don’t have to control your sex life. The clinicians at Modern Age provide treatments to increase arousal and improve sexual function. We’ll start with an Aging Wellness Assessment, where we analyze a blood sample for over 55 markers, including those associated with sexual well-being. 

The assessment also looks at metabolic health and body max index to address weight issues, as well as bone density and cognitive function. Finally, we’ll look at your subjective age, or the measure of how old you feel versus how old you are. 

The results help us understand the underlying issues affecting your sex life and determine what to do next.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Depending on the results of your assessment, you may be a candidate for hormone replacement therapy to target specific sex hormones. These treatments may be available as topical creams, patches, and pellets placed under the skin during an in-office procedure. All three delivery methods are available for estradiol, an estrogen hormone therapy that helps combat vaginal dryness and depression that contributes to low sex drive. 

Testosterone therapy, which is available in cream and pellet form, helps address issues concerning sexual arousal. 

Oral treatments are available to increase progesterone and thyroid hormone levels. The increase in these hormones can curb depression and mood swings, which can also have a positive effect on your sex life.

Pelvic Therapy

If becoming sexually aroused and achieving an orgasm are concerns, our Flatiron studio offers intravaginal radiofrequency. How does it work? Our radiofrequency wand produces energy waves that trigger collagen and elastin production to increase vaginal tightness, lubrication, and response to stimuli.

A stronger pelvic floor can also lead to more intense orgasms. Modern Age uses electromagnetic energy therapy to increase pelvic floor muscle strength.  

Which approach is right for you? Schedule a free consultation to find out.