While menopause marks the end of a woman's reproductive cycle, it does not signal the end of her sexuality. Some women actually feel liberated after menopause when they no longer have to worry about pregnancy or when their child-rearing responsibilities decrease. Yet, for some, menopause puts a dark cloud over their sex life.

A number of physical factors associated with menopause are known to diminish sexual interest and satisfaction. For example, the loss of estrogen at menopause can cause vaginal dryness, which for many women can lead to painful intercourse. The good news is that all of these can be helped. Topical estrogen products, for example, may provide relief for vaginal dryness, an all-too-common problem. So it's important to speak openly with your doctor about treatment options.

Hormone Therapy

Women may think testosterone is a man's hormone, but females produce it in their bodies as well. As in men, testosterone fuels a woman's libido. At menopause, or after a full hysterectomy when the ovaries are removed, the natural testosterone in a woman's body is reduced, causing some women to have less interest in sex. A testosterone patch for women is under review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and may be available next year. In the meantime, a physician can prescribe other forms of replacement testosterone.

Hormone therapy is another option for some women. Despite recent bad publicity, taking estrogen plus progestin - or estrogen alone if you have had your uterus removed - may relieve many menopause-related symptoms, including hot flashes, mood swings or vaginal dryness. But hormone replacement therapy (HRT) carries risk, especially for heart disease, breast cancer and blood clots. There are many low-dose options available for short term (less than five years) use. It's important to speak with your doctor, review your own medical history and decide if this approach is best for you.

Herbal Remedies

Some women turn to herbal therapy, even though herbal treatment is not FDA controlled and medical studies suggest herbs may not perform as well as estrogen when it comes to easing menopause symptoms. Still, many women insist that herbal supplements such as black cohosh, Estroven or evening primrose oil can help minimize hot flashes.