BHRT Could Help Mitigate Sexual Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance

August, 2011 -As women get older, they may lose interest in sex, it may not feel as great as it once did and they may be less willing to put forth the effort for unsatisfying rewards. But it doesn’t have to be this way. According to Dr. David Shuck, Medical Director of BodyLogicMD of Kansas City, by treating any physical barriers and changing their outlook on sexuality, women can have a more enjoyable and fulfilling sex life. One physical barrier that many middle aged women will face is vaginal dryness.

A woman’s body needs a lot of moisture and often comes up short. Women may experience dry skin, dry eyes, dry hair and, yes, even dry lady-parts. Vaginal dryness can occur at any age, but is particularly common during and after menopause. But it’s not something you have to live with — it can be easily treated.

"Vaginal dryness is the chief complaint of many of my female patients,” says Dr. Shuck, who specializes in the treatment of hormonal imbalances. “When a woman has too much progesterone and not enough estrogen, it can result in the thinning and drying of the vaginal wall, making sex uncomfortable and sometimes downright painful. By balancing these hormones with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), it’s possible to counteract the effects of vaginal dryness and other symptoms that may be affecting your sex drive.”

In many cases, vaginal dryness occurs alongside vaginal atrophy. This condition is caused by low estrogen levels and is characterized by thin, inflamed vaginal walls and may lead to itching and stinging in and around the vagina, even without penetration. In mild cases, vaginal dryness can also be alleviated with personal lubricants. There are many different options available to help women experience satisfying, fulfilling sex! So if you feel like you’ve tried it all and nothing seems to be working, it might be worth a visit to your doctor to have your hormone levels evaluated to determine if your hormones are to blame.