Sex Menopause and Aging Overview The menopause transition Sexual changes during and after menopause Early menopause Hormone replacement therapy Aging and sexuality in men and women The andropause male menopause Menopause Ovaries become less responsive to FSH and LH Patterns of GnRH release from the hypothalamus become altered Pituitary gland becomes less responsive to GnRH Perimenopause Average age at onset in the late 40 s Irregular menstrual cycles Somatic and psychological symptoms emerge Post menopause 12 months of amenorrhea Elevated FSH levels On average reached by the early 50 s Is that all No The ovaries continue to produce androgens after menopause Factors that may affect timing of menopause Smoking Genetics Number of pregnancies Body mass Symptoms of menopause Hot flashes Mood swings Vaginal dryness Vaginal atrophy Fatigue weight gain sleep disorders headache cognitive changes Menopause across cultures Do all women experience menopause as a major negative life event www youngeryoun ger com Study after study documents the astonishing effects that estrogen makes women not only feel better but healthier Estrogen vastly improves the quality of day to day life for women by making them more youthful energized and healthier www youthtek com www no wrinkles com www agelessforever net Sexual changes at menopause Decreased sexual desire Lower levels of vaginal lubrication More painful sexual intercourse What doesn t change Early menopause Surgical menopause Removal of the ovaries usually accompanied by hysterectomy Menopause induced by treatment for cancer Radiation therapy Chemotherapy Early natural menopause Early natural menopause Autoimmune disorders Genetics Problems in ovarian development Chromosomal irregularity Triple X syndrome Faulty second X chromosome Hormone replacement Estrogen systemic or local Estrogen progesterone Androgen replacement Potential benefits Possible side effects Aging and sexuality How do you tell what is caused by menopause and what is caused by natural aging A recent longitudinal study concluded that sexual arousal and orgasm are affected by both aging and menopause Sexuality in the elderly Healthy sexual relationships may continue into old age Common problems associated with aging include Sexual dysfunction Death of partner Cultural attitudes towards sexuality Health problems The andropause Progressive decline of androgens over time Symptoms erectile dysfunction cognitive impairment fatigue vague somatic symptoms 40 of men have ED by age 40 Over two thirds of men by age 70 Is the andropause a disorder