What does 'sex drive' feel like?

[NoNameisGoodEnough]

I am a poster of 17 years, although not recently as I found out someone I know is also on here so I have been in hiding for a few months! Now I'm back with a new name.

I am early 40s, potentially going through early menopause. GP has given me 3 months HRT patches to try to see if my symptoms improve.

Before this, I was on the pill since I was 18, besides getting pregnant/ pregnancy. I really don't know what 'normal' feels like. I haven't had much desire for sex for as long as I can remember. It's not that I dislike it, I just can't really be bothered and can take it or leave it. I have seen people saying that after a few weeks on HRT, their sex drive is back but I don't know what that feels like! Is it in your mind, like you are thinking about sex more? Or is it a physical thing where you are having rumblings down below?! Does everyone have a sex drive? Will I have one to 'get back'?

I’ve had times in my life where I’ve had a high sex drive and it’s been all of those things you describe but I am 43 now and went into menopause aged 37 and despite all the HRT and tweaking doses etc in the world it hasn’t changed the fact I’ve completely gone off it now. HRT isn’t always the golden ticket to getting it back (it’s the testosterone part that’s supposed to help with it so lots of women on HRT won’t even be taking that).

I’m 52 and been on HRT for almost a year now. I think I need to get the testosterone part too. My GP isn’t that easy to talk about it to though.

HRT helps in a lot of ways but with my current partner I just can’t be bothered with sex (and he’s great!), it feels like a switch has been turned off on that side of me and my previous strong sex drive seems to have disappeared.

Actually, having said that if I really want an orgasm via say a vibrator or I really want sex, then HRT has helped with my sex drive in that respect as before I was on HRT that wasn’t on the cards at all.