This past week, the FDA took an important step in women's health. By approving a new treatment option for low sexual desire that includes women in perimenopause and menopause, regulators acknowledged what millions of women have long felt but rarely heard — the menopausal transition doesn’t mean the end of desire, intimacy, or pleasure.
For far too long, low libido during the menopausal transition was dismissed as “just part of aging” or something women simply had to accept. Today’s shift reflects a broader evolution — in medicine, in research, and in society — toward validating women’s experiences and addressing sexual health as an essential component of overall wellbeing.
Low Libido During the Menopausal Transition Is Common — and Often Ignored
Decades of research show that many women experience changes in sexual desire as they transition through perimenopause and menopause. Hormonal fluctuations, vaginal dryness, changes in body composition, stress, and other factors can all contribute.
Multiple studies have found:
- Research involving midlife women found that nearly 70% reported low sexual desire, and over 40% experienced distress related to it.¹
- In large community-based surveys, low sexual desire is significantly more common in naturally menopausal women than in premenopausal peers.²
- Clinical reviews report that 40–55% of women in menopause experience low sexual desire, with dryness, discomfort, and decreased arousal frequently contributing.³
Despite how widespread these experiences are, they have too often been framed as normal but unaddressed parts of midlife — something a woman must simply “get used to,” rather than a legitimate concern deserving attention, research, and options.
A Cultural and Medical Shift Toward Recognition
The latest FDA approval — while not a single solution for every woman — signals a broader shift. Women’s sexual health during the menopausal transition is no longer invisible. It is increasingly being taken seriously by researchers, clinicians, and regulators.
That matters because recognition changes access. It reduces stigma. It opens conversations with partners and healthcare providers. And it invites more research, more options, and more individualized care.
Most importantly, it sends a clear message: women’s sexual wellbeing deserves attention — not dismissal.
Personalized, Accessible Support Matters
This breakthrough highlights the growing options for addressing low sexual desire — but every woman’s experience is unique. Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can affect desire, arousal, and comfort differently, making personalized care essential.
At SweetSpot Labs Rx, we are dedicated to supporting women’s intimate health needs, especially during perimenopause and menopause, when hormonal shifts can meaningfully impact desire and physical comfort.
We believe care should be informed, intentional, and calibrated to individual bodies — not one-size-fits-all.
Our Rx products are designed to support women where they are:
PT-141 (Bremelanotide) — a peptide therapy that may help enhance sexual responsiveness by acting on neural pathways involved in desire.
O-Booster — a topical formulation created with women’s intimate wellness in mind to support sensitivity, comfort, and confidence. O-Booster features Sildenafil — the same active ingredient as Viagra — reimagined and clinically tested for women. Applied directly to the clitoral area approximately 30 minutes before intimacy, it delivers a gentle warming sensation designed to support arousal and pleasure.
When discussed with a healthcare provider, these options can be part of a personalized plan that respects each woman’s unique journey.
Real Progress Includes Choice and Support
The FDA’s latest action isn’t the end of the conversation — but it meaningfully advances it. It helps normalize discussions around libido during the menopausal transition and beyond, encourages women to seek care, and pushes the medical community to listen.
Real progress looks like:
- More research funding and focus
- More open conversations between women and clinicians
- More options that respect women’s needs, preferences, and physiology
If you’re navigating changes in desire, comfort, or intimacy, know this: your experience is real, your voice matters, and there are options worth exploring — including science-inspired, personalized approaches like those from SweetSpot Labs Rx.
Sources
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Prevalence of low sexual desire and distress in midlife women — high rates of low desire (~69%) and related distress (~40%) documented in community research.
OUP Academic
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Differences in prevalence of low sexual desire between pre- and naturally menopausal women, showing elevated rates in menopause.
PubMed
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Review of menopausal sexual symptoms noting 40–55% prevalence of low desire and common symptoms like poor lubrication.
MDPI
Disclaimer:This blog post is informational and educational only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional healthcare guidance. SweetSpot Labs products—including PT-141 and O-Booster—should be used under the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider. Always consult your clinician about medical decisions, diagnoses, and treatments.
