Hello again Tc,
Yes, very interesting subject, women libido. Unfortunately, often researched by men and as you said, frequently associated with psyche.
I can only offer my own experience. I had one, sometimes two full hormone panel blood tests for the last 20 years, due to pain during intercourse and also after orgasms. No pelvic inflammation has been found so Gynae thought it was worth checking my hormones. I had very high estradiol levels during ovulation (above normal range) and normal levels otherwise. Testosterone levels were within normal range. At the late stages of peri-menopause (after almost 10 years), estradiol levels skyrocketed and plummeted randomly, testosterone levels decreased dramatically to not significant numbers.
Before peri-menopause, my libido followed a very defined pattern. Null before, during and after periods, 100% around ovulation. I could sense men looking, sniffing my body when I was ovulating, like wild animals, and I was also very aware of their body scents and looks. I wanted to feel desired and I desired sex, all within the socially accepted limits. When peri-menopause was at its peak, I had wild thoughts regarding sex and thinking about cheating on my partner (who was not the loyal type, btw) was the most natural thing. I've turned into a maneater
![Shocked :o](https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/Smileys/extended/shocked.gif)
(Daryl Hall & John Oates song was my soundtrack, lol). When I was almost reaching menopause, the libido just vanished, out of the blue. Nada. Now, 3 years after menopause, I can tell you that I'm a different person, but my libido still exists, it's just of a different nature. I have very low estradiol, progesterone and testosterone levels, but I'm not being tested as often as before. Sometimes I feel the old libido is back, almost like before, and it coincides with some other oestrogen related symptoms (boob pain, vaginal mucus, sharp brain). I'm not on any sort of HRT.
So... I think oestrogen plays a big role but maybe testosterone is also important, regarding energy levels, which are important, not only for sex purposes, but for overall well-being.
BeaR.