What’s behind my waning sex drive?

Q:

My husband and I have always had a great sex life, but recently my libido has headed south for no apparent reason. I still get my period regularly, so I don’t think it’s hormonal. What else could be causing this?

A:

Many women are surprised to hear that deficiencies of vitamins B-6, B-12 and D can lead to diminished sexual desire. These vitamins are key for nerve function, healthy blood flow and balancing estrogen and testosterone levels, all of which are crucial for a thriving libido. Taking a multivitamin or increasing your intake of foods rich in these nutrients, including poultry, seafood, whole-grain cereal, eggs, organ meats, mushrooms and fortified dairy products, can help restore these vitamin levels.

If a deficiency is behind your low libido, you should see results after two months. But if you don’t, I recommend seeing your doctor. She can assess whether a medical condition, like diabetes, a thyroid disorder or hypertension could be to blame.

Q

I’m 48. My periods are irregular, and lately my breasts feel swollen and achy. Should I be

worried? A Rest assured: Breast soreness is rarely a sign of anything serious. While we don’t know the exact cause of perimenopausal breast tenderness, hormonal havoc is likely to blame. Irregular ovulation can expose you to abnormal hormone levels for weeks at a time—and when you do ovulate, progesterone and estrogen levels spike afterward, which can cause breast tenderness.

To ease soreness, it helps to wear a supportive bra, avoid high-impact physical activities and take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (like ibuprofen). Some women find cutting back on caffeine helpful, and research has found that supplementing with evening primrose oil, vitamin E or a combination of the two, can reduce breast pain. The good news: Your pain should end once your periods stop. If it doesn’t, see your doctor for an evaluation.