Why Libido Can Change During Menopause and Where Cordyceps May Fit

Libido can change during menopause, but it rarely comes down to one thing.

Hormones are part of it. So are sleep, stress, energy, vaginal comfort, confidence, relationships, medication and how you feel generally.

For some women, sexual desire changes quite noticeably. For others, it barely changes at all. And sometimes desire isn't really the starting point. Sex may become uncomfortable, sleep may be poor, or there simply isn't much energy left at the end of the day.

A UK survey of adults experiencing menopause symptoms found that 68.3% reported a lower sex drive. That makes changes in libido fairly common, but it doesn't mean every woman will experience them in the same way.

Cordyceps is interesting here because it has traditionally been associated with libido, vitality and stamina.

But libido isn't something you simply switch on.

So before focusing on libido alone, it helps to think about what else may have changed at the same time.

Key Takeaways

• Libido can change during menopause for hormonal, physical, emotional and relationship reasons.

• Lower desire isn't always the starting point. Poor sleep, fatigue, vaginal discomfort and stress can all affect intimacy.

• Cordyceps has traditionally been associated with libido, vitality, stamina and endurance.

• If lower energy or stamina is part of what has changed, Cordyceps may be something you choose to include in your routine.

• Human research specifically looking at Cordyceps and libido during menopause is still limited.

Why Can Libido Change During Menopause?

Sex drive isn't controlled by one hormone or one part of the body.

Hormonal changes can affect desire and physical comfort during menopause, but they're only one part of the picture.

Sleep can change. Stress can increase. Medication can affect libido. Relationships can feel different. Vaginal dryness or discomfort can make sex less appealing even when desire itself hasn't disappeared.

And sometimes you're simply tired.

That's why two women going through menopause can have completely different experiences.

One may still want sex but find it uncomfortable. Another may be exhausted and have less interest. Someone else may notice a more obvious change in desire.

And another woman may not notice much change at all.

You might also feel desire but find sex uncomfortable, or feel physically well but notice that intimacy simply isn't on your mind as often.

And not every change in libido will bother you.

What matters is how you feel about it.

If a change is causing distress, affecting your relationship or happening alongside pain or other symptoms, that's when it's worth looking more closely at what's behind it.

Rather than assuming menopause automatically means low libido, it makes more sense to look at what has actually changed for you.

Can Vaginal Dryness Affect Libido During Menopause?

Yes. Desire and physical comfort aren't completely separate.

The same UK menopause survey found that 42% reported vaginal dryness or painful sex.

Hormonal changes during menopause can affect vaginal tissues, leading to dryness, irritation or discomfort during sex.

If sex hurts, it's understandable that you may want it less often.

And that's a good example of why simply looking for something to "boost libido" can miss what's actually happening.

If sex has become uncomfortable, it's worth getting support for that rather than assuming low desire is the problem.

What Does Energy Have to Do With Libido?

Sometimes it's less complicated than it sounds.

If you're exhausted, sex may simply be quite low down the list.

Poor sleep, demanding work, family responsibilities, stress and the wider changes around menopause can all affect how much physical and mental energy you feel you have available.

That's where Cordyceps becomes interesting.

Cordyceps has a long history of traditional use and is commonly associated with vitality, stamina and endurance.

Rather than thinking of it as something that switches libido on, it makes more sense to look at whether energy is part of what has changed.

If you feel physically run down or have less energy than usual, that may be happening alongside changes in libido rather than separately from them.

Why Is Cordyceps Used During Menopause?

Cordyceps may be something you choose to include in your routine if lower energy or stamina is part of what you're experiencing during menopause.

But where it fits depends on what has actually changed for you.

Cordyceps doesn't need to be an answer to every menopause change for someone to choose to include it in their routine.

Does Cordyceps Increase Sex Drive?

Cordyceps has traditionally been associated with libido, vitality and sexual function, which is where much of its reputation comes from.

Human research specifically looking at Cordyceps and libido during menopause is much more limited.

So we'd be careful about turning that traditional association into a promise that taking Cordyceps will increase sexual desire.

If energy and stamina are part of what has changed, Cordyceps may be something you want to explore.

But if the main issue is painful sex, vaginal dryness, medication, relationship difficulties or a persistent change in desire that's bothering you, those need looking at in their own right.

Where Does Cordyceps Fit Into a Menopause Routine?

If energy and vitality are part of what you're thinking about during menopause, Cordyceps is one option you may want to explore.

At Love Mushrooms, Cordyceps is included in both our Perimenopause and Menopause Empower capsule formulations.

But you don't necessarily need a wider blend simply because you're going through menopause.

Cordyceps is also available on its own as capsules and alcohol-free liquid drops.

Some people prefer an individual mushroom. Others prefer a wider formulation. Neither approach is automatically better.

Which format you choose really comes down to what you're most likely to use consistently.

And taking more products isn't automatically better either.

If you're combining products, check the ingredients and serving guidance so you know what you're doubling up on.

Thinking About Libido Differently During Menopause

A change in libido during menopause can feel frustrating, particularly if it's very different from how you've felt before.

But sexual desire doesn't exist separately from everything else that's happening.

• Sleep may have changed.

• Sex may be uncomfortable.

• Energy may be lower.

• Stress may be higher.

• Your relationship with your body may feel different.

• Or several of those things may be happening at once.

Sometimes the more useful question is what else changed around the same time.

If your libido has changed, looking at what else has changed alongside it can help you work out what support may actually be useful.

FAQs

Can Cordyceps Help With Low Libido During Menopause?

Cordyceps has traditionally been associated with libido, vitality and stamina, but we don't have strong human research showing that it directly increases libido during menopause. So we wouldn't treat it as a solution for low sexual desire.

Is It Normal for Libido to Change During Menopause?

It can be. Libido varies considerably between women, and menopause can bring changes in hormones, sleep, energy, stress and physical comfort that may all influence sexual desire. A change isn't automatically a problem, but it's worth getting support if it's bothering you.

Can Cordyceps Help With Menopause Fatigue?

Cordyceps is commonly associated with vitality, stamina and endurance, which is why it often comes into conversations around energy. Persistent or unexplained fatigue shouldn't simply be put down to menopause, though, so speak to an appropriate healthcare professional if you're concerned.

How Long Does Cordyceps Take to Work for Libido?

There isn't an established timeframe for Cordyceps and libido. It's generally taken as part of a regular routine rather than something you'd use shortly before sex and expect an immediate response from. Follow the serving guidance for the product you're using.

Can I Take Cordyceps Every Day During Menopause?

Cordyceps can be taken as part of a regular routine, but follow the serving instructions for the particular product you're using. If you're also using a menopause blend containing Cordyceps, check the ingredients first so you know what you're combining.

Can I Take Cordyceps With Menopause Supplements?

Possibly, but look at the complete ingredient lists rather than treating each product separately. Love Mushrooms' Empower menopause formulations already contain Cordyceps, so check what you're doubling up on before adding an individual Cordyceps product. If you're taking medication, have an existing health condition or aren't sure whether products should be combined, speak to an appropriate healthcare professional.

When Should I Speak to Someone About Changes in Libido?

If changes in libido are causing you distress, affecting your relationship, or you're experiencing painful sex, persistent vaginal dryness, bleeding, unexplained fatigue or other symptoms that concern you, speak to your GP or another appropriate healthcare professional. Changes in libido can have different causes, so it's worth getting the right support rather than simply putting everything down to menopause.