Normal hormonal balance can be altered by a variety of life events, including surgical intervention, environmental chemicals, allergies, lack of sleep, and prescription medication intake. However, it is also known that hormonal levels decline naturally as a result of age.

One of the most common symptoms of decreasing hormones in both men and women is low sex drive and libido.

Although this effects millions of people, especially in older age, it is often correctable through hormone replacement therapy. Intimacy and the need for satisfying sexual relationships is key throughout life, no matter what stage adults find themselves in, and it is important to understand the inevitable challenges and available solutions.

The human body is home to many hormones, each playing crucial roles in happiness, well-being, and healthy functioning. However, there are three in particular that have the greatest effect on libido and sexual drive: testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen. Testosterone plays a very significant role in sexual drive and is appropriately referred to as the “hormone of libido”.

Low levels of free testosterone have been shown to be connected with complaints of reduced desire, and this applies to both men and women. Conversely, normal levels of the hormone benefit libido, improving genitalia sensitivity, energy, and overall mood.

Although testosterone is key in this discussion, estrogen and progesterone are equally important, as they can directly alter testosterone levels. Estrogen affects men and women in an opposite manner. While an excess of estrogen reduces the efficiency of testosterone in males, inadequate levels of the hormone have the same effect in females.

Estrogen acts as an antidepressant in females, and depleted reserves results in more than loss of libido. Progesterone works as a balancing act for estrogen, catalyzing growth of the endometrium in the uterus. An imbalance of these two hormones can lead to vaginal dryness, atrophy, and painful uterine contractions, which in turn do not inspire sexual drive and activity. In men, progesterone is converted to testosterone, meaning inadequate levels will lead to the problems listed above.

Depleted hormonal levels can be effectively and safely replaced with hormone replacement therapy, as long as the replacement hormones are bioidentical (exact copies) of the ones used by the body.

The appropriate dosage of replacements also needs to be meticulously calculated by a prescribing physician who can take the patient’s unique metabolism, medical history, and general state of health into account. This is not only the safest method of hormone replacement: it is also scientifically designed to be the most effective.

Taking doses of hormones without consulting an expert can produce unexpected, adverse results, both immediately and in the long run. Hormonal balancing is a complex matter, and all functioning is interrelated. As such, consulting an expert is paramount for getting sexual drive and libido back on track in a healthy and safe manner.