It seems that the first thing to go if there is any sort of stress or illness in women is sex drive or libido. I can imagine you nodding sagely as you read this article. We all know there is a libido gap between men and women generally, but what can be done?
But now there is recognition that the female sexual response is indeed a complicated thing, as many men will tell you. It is wide reaching and multifactorial, involving psychology, social factors, brain neurotransmitters and hormones. This makes sense, because its only a problem if it really worries you or causes problems. Women can be reluctant to bring up the topic with their doctor, so the figures are estimates. Generally the proportion of women with diminished sexual desire increases with age.
Getting into other age groups, in women aged years its 8. These women have little desire, little arousal and even sexual pain. These often are associated with negative feelings in relation to the sexual act as well as their physical and sexual satisfaction. Initial sexual stimulation causes release of blood vessel dilating substances like Nitric Oxide similar to the male response. In addition, central nervous and spinal messengers might also be influenced by the Nitric Oxide NO.
Estrogen and testosterone are known to increase Nitric Oxide β this is where the hormones come in and women need a minimum amount of these hormones to get a sexual response. On the other hand, serotonin inhibits the sexual response. It is thought that there is a balancing effect carried out by the two neurotransmitters. Both neurotransmitters are affected by stress and nutritional deficiency. They are both derived from protein foods.
To break down protein in the stomach, there is a need to have adequate gastric acid which can decline with age and stress. To convert the protein breakdown products amino acids into the right neurotransmitters there is a requirement for adequate B vitamins, vitamin C etc.
