AtHomeWithGloriaHunnifordOctober2016 - 76

3 LOWER LIBIDO IN WOMEN The medical name for this is hypoactive sexual desire disorder. 'This is when women lose their libido repeatedly,' says Dr Edwards. Treatment options are: l Flibanserin: This new drug is licensed in the US to treat HSDD, although not in the UK, yet flibanserin has a number of side effects, including interaction with alcohol and low-blood pressure, and doesn't appear to have a marked effect on libido. 'Research evidence suggests women who take it will only have one more episode of sex a month,' says Dr Edwards. l Testosterone gel: 'Women often respond to a low dose of testosterone gel applied to the skin; it's a treatment licensed for men, but can be used off-label in women in much smaller quantities.' l Sildenafil: 'There's a case for prescribing low-dose sildenafil via off-label GP prescription to women having issues with arousal.' l Tibolone: 'A drug that has slightly androgenic (masculine) effects, but can increase sex drive in women if given at a low dose.' l Sex therapy: Trudy says: 'One in two women over 50 have sexual health problems - they talk about losing their confidence, having poor body image and lacking sex drive. Counselling or therapy can help.' 5 VAGINISMUS 'This is when women suffer involuntary tightening of the muscles around the vagina when penetration is attempted,' says Trudy. 'It can make penetration difficult or impossible, or sex painful. In older women, this can happen as a result of post-menopausal vaginal shrinkage, or lack of sexual intercourse. 'It can be treated by using vaginal trainers - penis-shaped devices that help the vagina to dilate and relax. Amielle is a brand that is recommended by sex therapists.' 076 | NOVEMBER 2016 6 4 STRESS-RELATED LOSS OF SEX DRIVE 'This is common in men and women - they get overloaded with work, juggle this with family commitments, become stressed and tired - and their sex drive crashes,' says Dr Edwards. l Lifestyle changes: 'Reducing their workload, sharing domestic chores, taking time out for themselves, exercising and learning to relax can all help to reduce stress and tiredness,' he adds. l Rhodiola Rosea: A herbal remedy once used by the Vikings for stamina has been found to boost sex drive. Rhodiola Rosea root is licensed to treat stress, anxiety and exhaustion. Dr Edwards ran a trial in his patients, prescribing a Rhodiola supplement called Vitano (www. schwabepharma.co.uk/product/ vitano-rhodiola-tablets) for stress, anxiety and exhaustion, as a different option to antidepressants. Patients were given two 200mg tablets a day and 71% reported an improvement in their symptoms within three days. These positive results continued for four weeks. 'Then the husband of a patient I'd prescribed Vitano for said whatever the pill was that I'd given her, it had done wonders for their sex life,' says Dr Edwards. 'Anecdotally, Rhodiola seems to do something for sexual performance. It's not that surprising as sexual problems are common in those who are stressed and exhausted.' TESTOSTERONE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME 'Some men suffer from low levels of the male sex hormone testosterone - called testosterone deficiency syndrome - a condition that affects about 8% of men over 50,' explains Dr Edwards. 'The symptoms include a lack of sex drive, low moods and little enthusiasm for events or activities that they previously enjoyed. 'Some women describe the medical condition as "grumpy old man syndrome". 'It is underdiagnosed and undertreated, despite testosterone hormone gels and injections being available on NHS prescription.' WORDS: JO WATERS, IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES ▲ R E L AT I O N S H I P S http://schwabepharma.co.uk/product/

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