Unpredictable hormones can mess with our libido

A low libido is a common symptom of perimenopause, so why might we experience the opposite around this time? “During perimenopause, women experience significant hormonal fluctuations, particularly in oestrogen and testosterone levels,” explains Dr Mayoni Gooneratne of Human Health. “While oestrogen levels decline more rapidly, testosterone decreases at a slower rate, leading to a relative imbalance between these hormones.”

In fact, a study of women aged 42–52 published in the journal Menopause found that age-adjusted oestradiol (a form of oestrogen) levels decreased by an estimated 12% each year, whereas total testosterone declined by just 3.1% in the same period. “This hormonal shift can result in unexpected increases in libido, potentially explaining why some women develop sudden crushes during this transitional phase,” says Dr Gooneratne.

Testosterone replacement therapy, although not widely available to women on the NHS, is gaining popularity, with high-profile women such as Kate Winslet crediting it for making her feel “sexy again”. Menopause specialist Dr Louise Newson says: “Many women find that when they take testosterone, their mood, motivation, energy, libido and pleasure in things improve. This can result in women feeling differently about relationships and partners. It can be common for women to enjoy sex more and think about it differently.”

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