Make sure your hormones are optimal. Testosterone, DHEA and estrogen play a very important role in your sexuality.
Testosterone in particular is very important in arousing your desire; promoting your sexual fantasies and making you feel more in love. Women, who have taken birth control pills for a long period of time, tend to have high levels of sex hormone binding globulins, which bind to our testosterone and make the existing testosterone hormone less available. Of course your testosterone production also decreases with age regardless of you having taken birth control pills or not. If your doctor determines that you need testosterone therapy please be advised that women only need very small doses of testosterone as compared to men. Please avoid using testosterone injections or oral preparations. The best method for testosterone therapy is through topical creams and in very small doses to avoid any side effects. In some cases intramuscular pellets can also be used. Avoid testosterone therapy if you are planning to become pregnant as any exogenous testosterone can affect your fetus irreversibly.
DHEA is another very important hormone particularly in women’s sexuality and energy. A recent study of women with loss of libido, low motivation and fatigue helped women regain a satisfying sense of sexuality with proper DHEA intake. Please be careful with the level of DHEA intake as many women develop cystic acne on high levels of DHEA. Your level needs to be monitored before, during and after therapy.
A closer look at your nutrition is also very important in maintaining a healthy sexual function. Protein and healthy fatty acids increase your sex hormone production and fortify your libido. Please work closely with a medical doctor who is familiar with hormonal evaluation and supplementations. Please make sure to ask your doctor to check your levels of DHEA-S and Free testosterone as well as Estradiol. All these hormones need to be optimal to allow for a healthy and more sexual you.
Be well!
Roya Kohani M.D., FACP
Associate Professor of Medicine
Revivamed Integrative Medicine
Information and article provided by http://www.mayoclinic.com/
