Dr Brenda Nelson-Porter

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AFRICAN WOMEN EXPERIENCING PERIMENOPAUSE:  
SEXUAL INTERCOURSE AND LACK OF LIBIDO 
 
 
By 
 
 
Dr. Brenda Nelson-Porter 
 
 
 
A Paper Presented in Partial Fulfillment 
of the Requirements for the International PhD 
 
 
World Information Distributed University (WIDU) 
 
February 2014 
 
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African Women Experiencing Perimenopause: Sexual Intercourse and Lack of Libido 
This paper focuses on women in the poorer nations, such as in Africa, who experience 
perimenopause and are coping with symptoms associated with perimenopause.  The lack of 
libido is associated with perimenopause, a condition involving changes in the hormones 
impacting middle-aged women (“Perimenopause Symptoms,” n.d.).  The association of a lack of 
libido experienced by African women with relationships formed in a male dominated culture and 
scent marking experienced by other species will be compared, and natural approaches aimed to 
help women who experience these conditions will be presented. 
Martial Relations of Africa Women 
Being involved in a healthy sexual relationship can be difficult without finding the right 
marriage contract civil marriage, customary marriage, and religious marriage (Social Institutions 
& Gender Index [SIGI], 2012).  Nearly 50% of African women get married by the age 18, 
whereby, “one in three women is in a polygamous marriage” (Manuh, 1998, Section 1).  An 
African male (email communications, October 11, 2011; June 10, 2012) from Republic of Benin, 
in West Africa (West side of Nigeria), currently living in Paris, France wrote, “their parents or 
the family council can choose for them.”  In customary marriage in South Africa, women 
preform the majority of the household tasks nearly 16 hours a day while the spouse labors only 5 
hours a day (SIGI, 2012). 
Gender role culturally defined behavior that differentiates men and women (O’Sullian, 
Harrison, Morrell, Monroe-wise, Kuberka, 2006a).  Gender, sexuality, relationships are 
negotiated at three levels: cultural, interpersonal, and individual level (O’Sullian, Hoffman, 
Harrison, & Dolezal, 2006).  Based on the script theory or sexual scripts, men are the initiator or 
aggressor in sexual interactions, leaving woman to adopt the role of gatekeeper that is socialized 
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to be passive sexually and to accept or refuse men sexual quests (O’Sullian, Harrison et al., 
2006; O’Sullian, Hoffman et al., 2006). 
The African male from Republic of Benin (email communications, October 11, 2011; 
June 10, 2012) further shared: 
Menopause in Africa means the end of women lives. African husbands can have a lot of 
wives in many counties. . . So women suffer in silence [no medication] when men can 
have younger wife.  But nowadays women can have a word to say about a second wife.  
Muslim can have many wives, two three. . . five, six . . . So women knows and the 
majority of them cannot  do nothing against this way of doing. 
A high risk of woman experience intimate partner violence in African nations (Dunkle et 
al., 2004).  Because women in South Africa have a history of sexual violence based on measures 
derived from the Sexual Relationship Power Scale (SRPS), sex researchers may further 
investigate how natural remedies may normalize the chemistry of brain cells in African men, 
especially men with HIV, to subdue any further disruption to the cells that may stimulate violent 
behaviors (Dunkle et al., 2004).  Compounding the experience of sexual violence, many women 
in Africa are experiencing conditions associated with perimenopause (Dunkle et al., 2004; 
Setorglo, Keddey, Agbemafle, Kumordizi, Steiner-Asiedu, 2012). 
Many women diagnosed with perimenopause suffer vaginitis or vaginal atrophy, which 
includes vaginal dryness, soreness, and burning and painful intercourse (Simon & Krychman, 
2010).  Vaginal dryness has been reported to derive from the lower level of estrogen stimulation 
resulting in the skin loosing moisture and elasticity and becoming thinner (Simon & Krychman, 
2010).  Urinary tract infections often result from vaginal dryness (Simon & Krychman, 2010). 
  
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Stimulation Associated with Sexual Intercourse 
During perimenopause, body odor changes as a result of hot flashes and night sweats 
(“34 Menopause Symptoms,” 2014).  A lack of hygiene may further cause women to have odors, 
one particular fuming from the vaginal area.  Because many African populations have a scarcity 
of water supply, maintaining hygiene may be difficult (Centre of Public Health, 2011).  Vaginal 
odor may also fume from the lack of washing the under garments (Centre of Public Health, 
2011).  Feminine odor continues to be studied to find a correlation between scent and the 
stimulation of sexual receptors in the brain of male species (Been & Petruli, 2007).  “Women in 
some societies use their vaginal secretions as a perfume, rubbing some behind the ear or on the 
neck to attract and arouse sexual partners” (Miracle, Miracle, & Baumeister, 2002, p. 78). 
Nwosu (personal communications, January 30, 2014), a Native male of Nigeria living in 
the United States, shared: 
Sex is a no-go area when it comes to discussion topics.  I even feel uncomfortable writing 
on this now.  Several people from underdeveloped nations believe that sex is sacred and 
should not be discussed.  American corporations use almost nude women to advertise 
houses, cars, TV sets or electronic gadgets, and virtually everything that they want to 
advertise.  African men marry simply to raise large families for agriculture/farming.  
Sexual intercourse is simply for that purpose.  It is not a fun or pleasure thing.  It is for 
producing successors.  In African culture, sexual knowledge dissemination is believed to 
be a precursor to sexual promiscuity.  It may be true or false, but the more knowledge 
people have about sex, the more experiments they are likely to perform.  From that point, 
sexual intercourse efficiencies and deficiencies become clear on the parts of the parties.  
Marriages collapse due to those.  Extra-marital escapades begin from there.  Other ills 
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also follow.  This has been confirmed in the United States among individual discussants.  
Of course, with CNN beaming everywhere, chances are that Africans (who receive CNN 
feeds) will learn American ways, become Americanized, and the rest will be history. 
 Compounding the embarrassment of having vaginal odors, many women in many African 
countries are subject to female genital mutilation (FGM).  The procedure associated with FGM 
involves removing genital issues traditionally using unsterilized razor or knives, but 
contemporary using sterilized surgical scissors so women do not experience pleasure during 
sexual intercourse.  FGM often results in obtaining urinary tract infections.  In some cases, 
infections are controlled by the use of female condoms (Centre of Public Health, 2011). 
 Sex researchers may further investigate the authentic nature for FGM.  Men who 
experience erectile dysfunction (ED) may be more prone to consider and perform this procedure 
on women who have a tendency to be highly sexual natured or active; thus, these men avoid 
exposure and seeking help for their dysfunction.  Men with ED may further pursue younger 
women or wives as stimulators rather than a means to reproduce; thus again, masking the 
embarrassment of seeking help for their own condition.  Sex researchers may further investigate 
if the changes in odor (as a result of perimenopause/menopause or lack of hygiene) stimulate the 
male species at different degrees. 
Healthcare providers who perform FGM have to consider, sexual arousal is not only 
stimulated by touch, but by sight and smell (i.e., olfactory system; Been & Petruli, 2007; Miracle 
et al., 2002).  Based on science and the theory of adaptation, when one of the senses is lost, such 
as touch, the other senses heighten (Acoustical Society of America, 2012).  Visual stimulation 
oftentimes can be more satisfactory than physical stimulation (Pillsworth, Haselton, & Buss, 
2003).  Visual stimulation may take place at food markets, doctor offices, and churches, in fields, 
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while watching television, and so forth.  Mentally, women are often stimulated by a male mate 
who can provide food security; whereby many men cannot achieve based on the massive number 
of women and children dying from the lack of food and nourishment (Pillsworth et al., 2003; 
United Nations, 2010).  Thus, to completely eliminate a woman’s sexual desires, certain brain 
cells, tissues, and receptors will have to be altered or destroyed. 
Suggestions to Approach a Lack of Libido 
The following suggestions aim to help women, to include women in Africa or other 
nations, who experience a lack of libido associated with perimenopause and are not aimed to 
diagnose, prescribe, treat, or cure.  Although women may experience an increased sex drive 
during the ovulation phrase, whereby their male mate may need to consume A. arvense, Catuaba, 
Tribulus terrestris, or zinc to reverse or approach their ED, the suggestions will focus on natural 
methods to approach a lack of libido (Daolio et al., 2008; Meschino, 2002; Pillsworth et al., 
2003; Prasad, Mantzoros, Beck, Hess, & Brewer, 1996).  Natural techniques discussed in this 
paper aim to enlighten women on lifestyles and healthy living.  Women who believe their 
condition results from a medical disease are recommended to seek assistance from an MD and 
naturopathic doctor (ND). 
To have a healthy sexual relationship, women need fairness, equity, and rights and all 
aggression needs to cease, to include mandating quality health systems and healthcare providers 
(O’Sullian, Harrison et al., 2006; United Nations, 2010).  Healthcare for many women in Africa 
seem to focus on testing for HIV (Dunkle et al., 2004).  Until equality laws are changed and 
implemented in certain nations, women in dominated male cultures and are experiencing 
perimenopause may need relief to endure symptoms associated with the lack of libido. 
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Estrogen plus bio-identical hormone therapy (HT) or progestogen therapy (EPT) have 
been found to significantly reduce vaginal dryness (Gass et al., 2011).  Phytoestrogens (PEs), 
such as isoflavones, lignans, and coumestans, are plant compounds comprised of chemicals 
similar to esrogenic (or estrogens), which assist in metabolizing carbohydrates, protein, lipids 
and minerals and regulating the reproductive cycle, may be consumed to help normalize estrogen 
levels (Guine, Lima, & Barroca, 2009; Umland, Cauffield, Kirk, & Thomason, 2000).  
Manganese has been found to restore the loss of libido.  The trace mineral is found in surface and 
in ground water and is stored in leeks (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2004).  Leeks, 
which are reported to also store Vitamin A, are vegetable plants grown in East Africa (American 
Culinary Foundation, 2012; East African Community [EAC], 2010). 
Women who desire to refrain from sexual intercourse may consider subduing their 
vaginal odor that may stimulate the male sexual receptors.  Bathing is essential to subdue body 
odors.  If adequate water supply is limited, probiotics may be consumed to restore the natural 
balance of lactobacillus (bacteria/acidophilus) or inhibit the growth of other microorganisms 
(Shalev, 2002).  Probiotics are stored in yogurt and pomegranate juice derived from 
pomegranates are grown in South Africa (Citrogold, 2011; Mousavi et al., 2013, Abstract 
section). 
To enhance sexual visual stimulation, woman may ensure their visual receptors are 
functioning properly by having a physician check their vitamin A level; a low deficiency of 
vitamin A result in difficulties seeing at night (Lemp, 2007).  To ensure olfactory receptors are 
functioning properly so sexual stimulation can persist, women may consider having their sinuses 
checked; sinuses problems, another symptom of perimenopause, and respiratory infections lead 
to a decreased or loss of smell of odors produced by their male mates (“34 Menopause 
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Symptoms,” 2014; National Institute of Health [NIH], 2009).  Turmeric (Zingiberaceae), a herb 
or spice exported from South Africa, has been reported to help regulate the female reproductive 
system and approach symptoms associated with the respiratory and nerve systems (De Jager, 
2003; Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 2013).  Women taking medications 
may consider consulting a doctor prior to taking supplements, as supplements or a combination 
of supplements may cause harmful side effects when taken with medications (Nihira, 2012).  
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pdf  


AFRICAN WOMEN EXPERIENCING PERIMENOPAUSE: SEXUAL INTERCOURSE AND LACK OF LIBIDO

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AFRICAN WOMEN EXPERIENCING PERIMENOPAUSE: SEXUAL INTERCOURSE AND LACK OF LIBIDO

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