Can anyone answer this question? What are my chances of increasing my libido using the diet when I had a hysterectomy 10 years ago - (I am 49 now); had ovaries and cervix removed. My head is still very interested in the game, I can climax; but only using a vibrator. I want that "physical urge" back! I already bought the book; but am waiting on Amazon to deliver! Thoughts, words of advice anyone? Thanks so much.

If you've had both ovaries removed, my diet may help some, but I also recommend you see an endocrinologist who can put you on bioidentical cycled hormonal treatment (including testosterone).

However, I would love to hear feedback from you on the diet in the meantime! Always very curious to hear from women in different situations.

Me again -my you are fast in responding and so thanks very much for that! Yes - both ovaries gone - everything gone! I am on Premarin - low dose. Is that the same as the biodentical hormonal therapy treatment? ...doesn't sound like it!

I think bioidentical hormones are safer than Premarin. Premarin just has female hormones, not testosterone. It's primarily testosterone that helps with desire, and testosterone is made by the ovaries (and the adrenal glands).

You can get cycled bioidentical hormone treatment that in a month follows the menstrual cycle. You might want to read Suzanne Somers' book, The Sexy Years.

redrover, you and i are in the same situation as to the hysterectomy issue. i am on estradiol which is suppose to be bioidentical. it is the generic of estrace. i have been to several gynos, a menopausal specialist, and an endocrinologist.

the doc who did the hysterectomy put me on estratest 6 mo.s after op because i complained of no libido. i ended up with acne so bad and painful that it hurt to move my lower jaw. so i had to see a derma doc to get that cleared up. i quit that doc because of her carefree attitude about it all.

the menopause specialist had me screwed up trying different meds. i told her i thought she had lost track of what my main complaint was. she didn't have any other solutions.

i read somers' book and made appt with endocrinologist. only one here seeing new patients. i was by then, "vagina atrophied" because i had quit the estrogen therapy. so he got me back on track with that. we tried experimenting with the estratest again and the same thing happened. i started with the acne breakout.

he wasn't open to the idea of trying testosterone cream (compounded at pharmacy). he wasn't open to anything not FDA controlled.
and he actually scoffed at somers' book. "everyone in it has something to gain". anyway, he said he had helped me as much as could be done.

i am willing to try anyting. it is a real hardship on the marriage. i had never really had alot of sexual urges even before hysterectomy. but at least i had the once a month horny period. and had SOME feeling toward sex. i feel like a sexual zombie since op. if it wasn't for the husband factor, i probably could live like this. i mean, you can't miss what you don't crave,right?

wow, i've written my own book! but i hope you can feel like someone else can feel what you are going thru now. i have been on this diet 3 days now. i am commited to giving it at least a month before i critique it. good luck to you.

marrena, do i have to worry about extra vit C if my multi has 100% in it?

No, any extra Vitamin C will just go right through you.

I would keep trying on the hormone replacement therapy. I think a personalized prescription and a compounding pharmacy is just what you need. It's too bad

http://www.fsdinfo.org

is kind of a dead website now. In the past they have been very helpful in matching women with sympathetic doctors.

Sexually speaking, a woman with both ovaries removed is in the same boat as a man with both testicles removed. So it's important to get those hormones back for libido.

Well - I am not giving up. I took Marrena's suggestion and am searching the internet for all information on the biodentical hormone replacement therapy - and found this site:

http://www.thewileyprotocol.com/

Anyway - lots of stuff out there. I am hoping to contact one of the Dr.'s in Illinois - I currently live in Indiana and no Doc's on the list. I am not promoting this site as I just now found it through a google search. But it looks promising. It sounds logical to me.

I am mad that my Dr. who performed the hysterectomy gave me no other alternatives and just took everything. Although I did have severe endometriosis with a giant grapefruit sized fibroid tumor. He said I was a mess and most likely was; but I do know my biggest concern was losing my sexuality. No one ever put it in the terms like Marrena just did above.

I didn't know the vagina could atrophy - I don't think mine has. I can still lubricate; get aroused; but not to climax with a man. I can only seem to climax (even multiple times) with a vibrator and wonder if I am just hooked on it or not. The thing I am missing is that physical urge to have sex. Like I said - my head has always been in the game even though I am missing the other element. I think that is important. I have always loved sex and don't just "let it go" like I believe other women do just because they don't feel the need. I realize that men still have the urge and if my partner (I am divorced) wants sex - I oblige him because I want it too! I have too many male friends who tell me their wives no longer want sex. I am beginning to wonder if this is an epidemic and the women are out there are just clueless thinking there is nothing wrong because they lost the desire. I've babbled on long enough.

To Redrover1958: I am seeing a naturopath tomorrow who specializes in bio-id hormones, and have done some reading. Books by Dr. John Lee are much more informative and accurate than Suzanne Somers. Some include:1) "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause: Balance your hormones from 30-50" 2)"What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause: The breakthrough book on natural hormone balance" and 3)Hormone Balance Made Simple. He addresses Premarin in his books. It's not natural, but synthetic hormone.

To artlady: please let me know how it goes. I need to find someone. BTW - reading Marrena's book last night - I had just gotten it in the mail finally from Amazon - I probably have been over doing it on the vibrator and have now desensitized myself. I am looking forward to getting back on track somehow - some way!

Thank you for all the information, everyone! I certainly am not an expert on HRT, and I welcome new references and tips.

One place to find a hormone-friendly doctor is

http://www.twshf.org/providers.html

Low libido in women is an epidemic. One I'm trying to stop. Not for the men--for us.