"I Faked Sleep to Dodge Intimacy for a Year—But a £0.60 Supplement Sparked a Romantic Revival!"

Table of Contents

• Feeling the Change
• The Crisis of Libido
• Understanding Perimenopause
• Communication Breakdown
• What Could Be Causing Your Low Sex Drive?
• A Sense of Feeling Sexy Again
• My Husband and I Can’t Keep Our Hands Off Each Other
• All is Not Lost

Sensing her husband of 35 years showing affection, Louise Able faced a familiar dilemma – should she 'give in' or feign fatigue once more?

For a year, she had relied on the excuse of being tired until she discovered a supplement that rejuvenated their intimacy.

Louise Able often pretended to be asleep to avoid intimacy with her husbandCredit: Louise Able The mother of two experienced a significant decline in her libido and was unsure of the causeCredit: Louise Able

It was a tremendous relief for Louise, 60, who had felt guilty about her lack of interest in intimacy, despite her love for her husband.

“I realized that I wasn’t as enthusiastic, and I would often fake tiredness and go to bed,” she shares.

“I was aware of my actions and felt bad, but I just couldn’t face intimacy. It turned into a chore.

“I understood that intimacy was crucial for my marriage, but the desire simply wasn’t there, which was a strange feeling for me.

“He felt confused, which only added to my guilt, creating a downward spiral.

“It affected my mental well-being significantly.”

This is a common crisis faced by many middle-aged individuals.

Louise's libido had plummeted, and for a long time, she couldn’t pinpoint the reason, leading to tension in her relationship.

“There were days when I felt like I wanted intimacy, and then suddenly, I didn’t,” she recalls.

“I was lost.”

The couple, residing in Cornwall, has two adult sons.

Louise, who once worked as a senior producer for a major news agency in London, used to interview numerous celebrities on the red carpet and travel worldwide.

She was full of confidence and deeply in love with her husband, whom she met on a TV set.

“He took me out for dinner the following week, and now, 35 years later, we are still together,” Louise reminisces.

However, everything changed when she turned 45, as perimenopause began to take its toll – but it took two years for Louise to recognize the connection.

Louise used to interview many celebrities, including Tina Turner, on the red carpetCredit: Louise Able She was radiantly confident and happily in love with her husband, whom she met on a TV setCredit: Louise Able Everything changed for her once she reached 45, as she began experiencing perimenopause symptomsCredit: Louise Able

Louise explains: “Almost overnight, I began experiencing multiple symptoms.

“The most severe were intense stomach pains – just horrendous digestive issues. I underwent numerous medical evaluations.

“I also suffered from severe joint pain.

“While I wouldn’t say I experienced vaginal atrophy, I certainly noticed dryness, which also affected my confidence.”

It is estimated that between 50% and 75% of women who are either perimenopausal or postmenopausal experience these symptoms, according to Bupa.

This can make intimacy uncomfortable, leading to bleeding or tears.

Other symptoms may include itchiness, burning sensations, and discomfort in certain clothing, like jeans.

Before these symptoms, Louise recalls that her and her husband’s intimate life was fulfilling.

“I’ve been with my husband for many years. He’s older than I am, but we’ve always enjoyed a healthy intimate life.

“While it’s not the same as in the early days – intimacy does decrease with time, and it’s more about quality than quantity – it remains a vital part of our relationship.”

Despite their love for each other, a year