Loss of Sexual Desire After Hysterectomy - DrDonnica.com

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Loss of Sexual Desire After Hysterectomy

Q: I had to undergo a complete hysterectomy when I was only 34, and since then I've lost all sexual desire. I've heard there are things women can do when they experience loss of libido during natural menopause. Is there any help for women like me who go through premature menopause due to surgery?

Dr. Donnica: Women who go through menopause "naturally" also do so gradually, over several years. Women who have a surgical menopause go through meno-STOP in which they go through the whole process in one day! Help is available and should come from a conversation with your gynecologist. Your options depend upon why your uterus and ovaries were removed. If it was for a non-cancerous reason and you have no other contraindications, hormone replacement therapy would probably help you considerably. Since you do not have a uterus, you do not need progesterone. While estrogen replacement is very important for you, you may also benefit from a prescription that includes an androgen as well (e.g. Estrotest). While known as "male hormones", androgens have an important impact on libido in women as well.

Created: 2/22/2004 - Donnica Moore, M.D.

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