HOW TO KEEP PASSION BURNING AFTER 50

ROWAN PELLING, former editor of Erotic Review, offers the following advice . . .

LIKE many who write about sex and relationships, I’ve long promoted a ‘use it or lose it’ mentality — believing healthy sexual function can be optimised by regular physical intimacy.

Now comes this study suggesting regular sex may play a part in extending menstruation. It’s not the first time I’ve heard this.

When I had my second son aged 40, I engaged an independent midwife who brimmed over with folk wisdom. When she told me she was still having periods aged 58, I expressed surprise, but she said late menopause was normal for midwives as they were surrounded by babies and hormones — before adding that keeping sexually active did the trick, too, as it made your body hope it might squeeze in one more pregnancy.

I noted that my friends who were still having periods in their mid-50s were often the ones who seemed most loved-up with their partners. So I told my own beloved that he was duty bound to keep making love to me ‘for the sake of my wellbeing!’

Now, here I am, aged 52, with no significant signs of the menopause. I had my hormones checked recently and my levels of oestrogen and FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), both essential biological ingredients for pregnancy, were high — which surprised me as my mother had stopped menstruating by 50.

Was this down to me having regular sex? It’s hard to say. But here are some practical ways to keep your sexual function firing in midlife . . .

TAKE HRT EARLY

IF YOU feel any changes in your cycle, sexual desire or general wellbeing in midlife, it’s useful to ask your GP to take a blood sample to assess your hormone levels.

Many women report suffering from depression or insomnia and are prescribed antidepressants when the true cause is fluctuating hormone levels. Such symptoms can be addressed by cutting down on irritant factors, such as caffeine, alcohol and a lack of exercise, or taking HRT.

Earlier intervention can make this transitional stage far smoother.

NATURAL VA VA VOOM

LAST year, when my energy was flagging and I wondered whether my hormones were to blame, I visited the London Hormone Clinic.

My oestrogen was high, but they suggested I take a DHEA supplement. Also known as the ‘hormone of youth’, DHEA is produced naturally by your adrenal gland, but levels drop after the age of 30. Menopause experts believe it boosts energy levels.

A couple of friends also swear by testosterone gel for boosting libido — but you should consult your GP before trying this.

TRY HORNY GOAT WEED

HERBAL experts recommend some natural remedies, such as black cohosh root, dong quai and red clover, for menopausal symptoms.

If you just want to address libido issues, try epimedium, also known as Horny Goat Weed, which comes in tablet form. It’s also taken to help with fatigue and depression.

SQUEEZE AND LIFT!

AS YOU get older, pelvic muscle tone tends to decrease, which can lead to prolapse and incontinence — factors in women rejecting sex.

Do pelvic floor exercises daily. There are many gadgets to help — ask in a local Boots.

COMMUNICATE

YOUR other half has a vital role to play in your menopause.

You could start by telling your partner regular sex is likely to help stave off The Change. It’s good for them to know fluctuations in libido are about hormones, rather than you feeling turned off by them.