Nowadays with the daily bombardment of emails offering us Viagra, how many women out there wonder if there is a miracle drug for them? As millions of women enter perimenopause and then go on to menopause and beyond, many say they leave their sex drive at the door. The man gets a prescription for Viagra and he's ready to go all night while she's thinking 'Hey, where's my pill?'

Discovering What's Wrong

While male sex drive is easy to define -- and relatively easy to restore -- that's often not the case for women. The female desire to make love is not only influenced by physical issues, but emotional ones as well. Women are affected by depression, stress, lack of self confidence and while emotions are frequently behind a loss of sex drive, doctors say it is normally the aging process itself that causes desire changes in women over the age of 40.  The very fact that a woman is no longer ovulating regularly, automatically takes her sex drive down a few notches. 

Moreover, around menopause, when there is less oestrogen circulating in your body, that too can bring your sex drive down. Oestrogen is a mood elevator, it works in the brain to maintain interest in sex, but it also works at the level of the genitals, helping to increase sensation and making sex more pleasurable, without it intercourse can become uncomfortable, or even painful.

While oestrogen levels are important, the latest research shows that the male hormone testosterone also plays a role in a woman's sex drive. Though present in only tiny amounts, some doctors say it's the seasoning that makes her sex drive sizzle. Moreover, when levels become erratic, as they do at midlife, that sizzle can fizzle fast.

Complicating matters further, studies show that sometimes the very treatments women take to control midlife symptoms, such as HRT or low-dose birth control pills, can actually disrupt desire by robbing the body of testosterone. When these hormones are taken orally, they are metabolized by the liver, which in turn puts out a protein that binds to testosterone, causing a deficiency.

Finding Your Mojo Again
There are far more options for men seeking to rediscover their libido than there are for women. In fact, despite rumours that Viagra can encourage both genders to head for an all-night love fest, studies show it had disappointing results in women.  That said, the picture is not as grim as you might think. Experts suggest talking to your doctor about the following:

• A blood test for low thyroid function and iron deficiency anemia, two common disorders that can affect the sex drive.
• Discuss whether or not you may be suffering from low-level depression which can affect libido. If you are taking an anti-depressant, discuss switching to another type of medication, which won't dampen sex drive.
  Localized Oestrogen therapy. The use of oestrogen creams or pessaries can reduce pain and even increase your sexual desire.
• Vitamin E. When used locally it can help rehydrate tissue and may increase sensation. Just stick a pin in a vitamin E capsule and apply several times a week.
• Be sure to use a lubricant when you are having sex – either vitamin E or a commercially prepared product such as K-Y Jelly. 

Don't Be Driven by Declining Sex Drive

As frustrating as a lagging libido can be for some women, for others, it can simply be a rite of passage to a quieter, gentler time. In fact, for many women, and their partners, a lessened sex drive is not a problem and is often replaced by other intimate and bonding experiences.

As such, a reduced need for sex and a declining drive are not medical problems and if they don't cause you distress, there is no need to seek treatment.