Does low estrogen cause sexual dysfunction?

During menopause, the decline in estrogen and testosterone can diminish one’s sex drive, arousal, and interest in sex. However, not all postmenopausal women report a loss of sex drive and, in fact, lower levels of stress and anxiety due to motherhood may actually lead to improved intimacy and libido during this stage of life. Low estrogen levels do contribute to vulvovaginal atrophy (characterized by dryness, itching, irritation, and reduced vaginal lubrication),reduced vaginal blood flow, and the capacity for arousal and orgasm.^[1] Treatment with estrogen therapy seems to improve many of these symptoms.^[2]