Libido in Menopause: Could Statins be the Cause?

Posted by Gail Edgell | Posted on 23-04-2010

Category : libido

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Lack of sex drive – cholesterol medications may be a factor
Expert’s Name:  Sarah A LoBisco, ND

Study Shows Decreased Libido in Men on Statins: Could this Hold True for Menopausal Women?

A recent study demonstrated the link between statin therapy and erectile dysfunction in men:

“Our study is the first report showing a negative association between statin therapy and testosterone levels in a large series of patients consulting for sexual dysfunction,” he says.

The purposed mechanisms were as follows:

One possibility, Corona says, is that low testosterone levels and the need for statintreatment share some common causes.

Some researchers also have looked at the possibility that the statins’ inhibition of cholesterol synthesis may interfere with the production of testosterone, which depends on a supply of cholesterol. The statins may disrupt the body’s feedback mechanism to instruct it to make more testosterone.

Cholesterol is the precursor to hormones. It is not only needed for hormones, but for brain health, vision, blood sugar balance, and nervous system function. This helps explain why if hormones are off, many other things in the body are as well.

A common symptom of menopause is decreased libido. Conventional treatment usually is estrogen therapy or HRT. This may help some women. However, it doesn’t work for all. This is due to the fact that estrogen and progesterone aren’t the only key players in hormonal balance for women. Testosterone, DHEA, and insulin can also play a role in sex drive in women. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that an aggravating factor in low libido could be a women’s statin medication.

Fortunately, there is hope. I have seen symptoms improve for women when proper hormonal balance is attained. This is done with a proper evaluation of symptoms through a consultation and blood chemistries. Although low testosterone may not be the main player to low libido in menopausal women, a look at your overall hormonal picture and a consultation with an integrative practitioner could help provide some answers.

Action step:  Dedicate to finding a practitioner that is right for you during this  stage of your life.

Find out more about Dr. Lobisco.

Source:

Statins May Lower Testosterone, Libido:

Men With Erectile Dysfunction on Statin Therapy Are Twice as Likely to Have Low Testosterone, Study Finds. Webmd. April 21, 2010. http://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/news/20100416/statins_may_lower_testosterone_libido?page=2

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Menopausal Women and Personal Trainers

Posted by Gail Edgell | Posted on 17-04-2010

Category : exercise

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Menopausal women – are all personal trainers qualified to train you?
Expert’s Name: Gail Edgell

There is something different about a middle aged woman and her body.  Most of us don’t want to admit it but things are sagging where they never sagged before, joints and muscles ache and the energy that you had when you were 20 is in the distant passed.

So you get a bright idea….hire a personal trainer.  He/she will get you into shape.   Think again.

I can’t tell you the number of times I have seen a personal trainer in my own gym exercising a middle aged, out of shape woman to she falls to her knees.  Six months later, she still looks the same.  So why is this?  The client has been working out harder than she ever exercised in her adult life, eating exactly what was recommended yet her body is still sagging, her joints and muscle ache and she feels worse than ever.

As we know menopausal women go through a transitional period where hormones change.  This can cause a host of problems when exercising:  joint pain, lack of energy, weight gain, dry and saggy skin, even shortness of breath.

It is imperative that you find a personal trainer that understands what a menopausal women is going through – physically, emotionally and mentally.  Trainers also need to work closely with your physician to be sure that lack of achievement of goals is not due to imbalances in your body, starting with adrenal fatigue.

When interviewing your trainer not only ask him/her about certifications,  but also experience with working with women over 40.  Ask to contact a few clients that of your age group.

So that next time you step foot into a gym, take notice of who is training women over 40.  If they are making them do plyometrics (jumping), lunging or squating with a lot a weight stay clear.  Investigate your options.

Action Step:  Before hiring a personal trainer check references, ask for current insurance and certifications.   Most important, talk to other clients.

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