{UAH} Is this true for Black women? Mbu Women's desire for sex peaks in their 20s - but it's downhill from there
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Women's desire for sex peaks in their 20s - but it's downhill from there as fatigue and anxiety set in as the menopause looms
- Survey: Women in their 40s are feeling physically and mentally unhappy
- Many are unaware their symptoms are actually due to perimenopause
- This is the transition stage to the point where periods stop for good
- Some women are spending up to 20 years battling insomnia, hot flushes, mood swings, anxiety, sore joints and a weak bladder - with no treatment
By Anna Hodgekiss for MailOnline
Published: 08:40 GMT, 19 May 2015 | Updated: 07:04 GMT, 20 May 2015
Many women are failing to realise symptoms such as joint pain and anxiety are warning signs of the menopause
It has often been claimed that women become more sexually confident in later life.
But a new survey has found that they enjoy the best years of their sex life in their twenties, while the forties and fifties aren't that fabulous after all.
The poll discovered that women often become plagued by insecurity in the bedroom as they get older.
Instead of life beginning at 40 - in reality, women in this age group are feeling anxious, unattractive and unaroused.
However, many fail to realise their symptoms are actually the first sign of the menopause, experts say.
This time of life is known as the perimenopause - and is the transition stage to the point when a woman has her final period and becomes infertile.
The research, commissioned by online vitamin company Healthspan, discovered that over a third of women are now going into perimenopause as early as 40.
This means some are spending, on average, 10-20 years suffering from a range of symptoms such as hot flushes, insomnia, mood swings, anxiety, depression, sore joints and a weak bladder.
Worryingly nearly three quarters of all women interviewed admitted that the perimenopause is affecting their relationships.
And nearly half claimed they no longer felt attractive, and nearly two thirds said they no longer wanted sex with their partners, the survey found.
It revealed women are at their most sexually confident between the ages of 21 and 30 when they are full of energy, and oozing with body confidence.
A decade later and that enthusiasm has been eroded, with more than one in four women aged 41 to 45 branding those years the worst for their sex life.
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They revealed a lack of energy, no sex drive and disliking their bodies was to blame for removing sex from their daily agendas.
Dr Sarah Brewer, a GP and author of 'Overcoming Low Sex Drive', said: 'The perimenopause affects most areas of women's lives.
'More than half of women say their partner would definitely be up for more sex, but sadly, they have no libido anymore.
'Nearly a third said weight gain meant they no longer felt attractive.'
Despite the amount of information available on the menopause, Dr Brewer said: 'I was surprised to that nearly half of women didn't even know what the perimenopause is and that 60 per cent haven't sought help from their doctor.
'What's shocking is that so many women are suffering and battling through middle age without help.'
Indeed, 90 per cent of women said they would like more help with dealing with all stages of the menopause.
The research also showed that the perimenopause and menopause is affecting women's mental state of health, with and that women in Northern Ireland and the West Midlands struggling the most.
Dr Hilary Jones, a GP, added: 'Fluctuating hormones can lead to low mood.
'In fact, three quarters of women stated that they suffer from low mood and over a third of those surveyed have had to adjust their lives to deal with the affects that the perimenopause has on their bodies.
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Other symptoms of perimenopause - the transition stage to the point when a woman has her final period and becomes infertile - include insomnia, a loss of sex drive, hot flushes and mood swings
'Trouble sleeping is a big problem, which further lends itself to mood swings and irritability. Crashing fatigue is something a quarter of women said they suffer from.'
And the perimenopause can also undermine the hard-won self-confidence that women have built up by their 40s and 50s, says psychotherapist Sally Brown.
'The research showed over half of the women questioned said that they had lost their self-confidence.
'It's not known why hormonal upheaval should have this effect, but it may be linked to the drop in oestrogen, which helps make serotonin, the feel-good chemical in the brain.
WOMEN ARE HAPPIEST AGED 31-35
The Healthspan research highlights that UK women are, in fact, at their happiest, on average, between the ages of 31 to 35.
'What's surprising is how many are suffering in silence - 78 per cent said they don't discuss it even with other women.'
He said there was an 'education job' that needed to be done to help women overcome the symptoms of the perimenopause, 'to avoid a decade of anxiety and depression'.
He added: 'Don't be afraid to go to your GP and discuss your symptoms, there is a range of both natural and conventional treatments out there to help significantly.'
Dr Brewer continued: 'Interestingly, all age groups said they would rather treat their symptoms naturally, and many women are opting for positive lifestyle changes such as exercise and dietary approaches to deal with their symptoms.'
The research was split 50/50 between women saying HRT is safe and not safe to use.
'The debate around HRT still concerns many women,' says Dr Brewer.
'Many women were choosing natural supplements such as soy isoflavones, along with Evening Primrose Oil, diet and exercise to help deal with their symptoms.'
For further information and advice on the menopause, click here.
SO WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF PERIMENOPAUSE?
Here, writing for Healthista.com, London-based GP Deyo Famuboni describes the 10 perimenopause symptoms to watch out for...
IRREGULAR PERIODS
The hormone changes affect your ovaries releasing an egg and this in turn can make your period longer or shorter or absent for a couple of months.
These could be signs of early and late perimenopause respectively.
No periods for three months or more as well as very heavy periods, particularly if associated with feelings of tiredness or breathlessness warrant a review by your doctor, especially if you are under 40 years old.
Here, London-based GP Deyo Famuboni describes 10 common perimenopause symptoms to watch out for...
HOT FLUSHES
Suddenly going hot and sweaty?
This is common in perimenopause and can vary in duration and intensity throughout the day and at night – this often contributes to insomnia and sleep disturbances.
This occurs as a result of the hormonal fluctuations and can be different for every woman.
It can last anything between two years to 15 years.
Wearing breathable clothing such as cotton and staying hydrated can help in alleviating symptoms.
Avoiding other causes of hot flushes including being overweight, alcohol, excess caffeine, spicy foods, monosodium glutamate (a seasoning common in processed foods) and some medications can also help in alleviating symptoms.
MOOD SWINGS
This can happen frequently with mood swings, as well as feeling irritable, short tempered or anxious.
A change from your usual temperament can be a sign of the perimenopause as your hormones spike and sag.
A lack of good quality sleep can also contribute to this.
Regular exercise and a healthy diet to ensure your blood sugar levels remain stable can help.
Some women can find sex becomes uncomfortable due to vaginal dryness
VAGINAL DRYNESS
The hormone changes mean the vaginal wall decreases the amount of fluid it produces and also its elasticity.
Some women can find it generally uncomfortable, others only notice it only during intercourse.
Also, the length of time it takes to get aroused increases with age.
Using vaginal lubricants can alleviate this.
URINE INFECTIONS
In general, women are prone to urine infection because of our anatomy.
This can happen for the first time during the perimenopause or increase in frequency.
You might notice urine frequency and pain. This warrants a review from a healthcare professional.
A decreased ability to hold urine can also happen. This is because the elasticity and tone decreases.
Ways of preventing this includes passing urine after intercourse, using lubricants and doing regular pelvic floor exercises.
LOSS OF LIBIDO
There are various causes for this and the mood changes, lack of sleep and decreased arousal time can certainly contribute.
However many women have no problems with this.
PROBLEMS CONCEIVING
Ovulation decreases and this leads to fertility problems.
It can take up to one year to fall pregnant naturally, however if you are in your very late 30s or early forties and have trouble conceiving, it is worth seeking medical advice sooner.
Using contraception until 12 months after your last period is advisable if you do do not want to fall pregnant.
GENERAL ACHES AND PAINS
The hormone changes around the menopause are associated with the development of osteoarthritis
As oestrogen decreases, the body cannot replace bone as efficiently.
The ligaments and cartilages are also affected.
Research also suggests that the hormone changes are associated with the development of osteoarthritis.
Aches and pains can also be a sign that your bones are getting thin due to osteoporosis.
Getting adequate calcium and vitamin D and exercising to strengthen the bones and muscles can help to prevent this.
Several studies have looked at the use of glucosamine for pains and though individual women have reported improvement in their symptoms, evidence for its use is limited.
Stress and a slower metabolism can lead to weight gain
WEIGHT CHANGES
There are several contributory factors for this.
This includes the metabolism and our ability to build muscle slowing down as well as higher levels of stress due to lack of sleep and worry about other signs mentioned above.
Stress can increase weight as elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol can lead to weight gain around the middle.
Improving the underlying cause is therefore needed.
Regular exercise and a healthy diet, with particular attention to your nutrient to calorie ratio can help negate weight gain.
This is because you use up less calories as you get older.
A sudden increase in weight warrants a visit to your doctor.
CHEST PAIN
As oestrogen levels drop, the cholesterol and sugar level in the body increases. The heart and vessels also become more stiff.
This puts you at risk of heart disease as it contributes to clogging up the blood vessels.
Left-sided chest discomfort, especially on exertion requires urgent medical attention.
The perimenopause is a natural transition in a woman's life and should not be a cause for alarm.
Lifestyle intervention can help significantly with the perimenopause. This includes regular exercise and a diet rich in phytooestrogens.
These are natural plant oestrogens found in foods such as soybeans, dark leafy green and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli.
However, if it is interfering with your quality of life and wellbeing, then see your doctor.
Depending on your symptoms, further tests may be carried out.
Various medical therapies including hormone replacement and non hormonal options are available on prescription.
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