IF WE ALL HAD the raging hormones of youth, might we become a more content, less stressed and sexually satisfied society? Some physicians suggest that hormones hold the key to intimacy. “Cougars,” older women dating younger men, swear by hormone replacement. Researchers find that in younger women hormones can protect against depression and possibly even seizures. Whether it is hormones, attitudes, or appetites, Cougars and some politicians appear to enjoy more passionate moments than the rest of society. Perhaps spring fever will help languishing libidos.

In the United States about 20 million marriages are essentially sexless, according to an online survey of 4,000 men. Conducted by sexologists Bob Berkowitz and Susan Yager-Berkowitz, they reported in December 2007 that 68 percent of men blamed the bedroom blahs on their wives. One wonders how many visited VIP services or the Web sites for cheaters.

What accounts for lack of marital intimacy? Most often it is boredom, exhaustion from the workplace, one’s physical health, or simply lack of desire. To cure boredom, therapists, books and Web sites seem to agree that couples need to be adventuresome and spontaneous, and to push the boundaries of love-making. The best aphrodisiac? Loving words instead of criticism by day enhance creative play at night.

Exhaustion is tough. The Work and Family Policy Institute’s “Overwork in America” report said that employees often felt unable to accomplish what was expected of them. Increasingly work spills into the home and in two-laptop, two-Blackberry families, these devices and not erotica end up in the bedroom.

Health issues or medication, inhibited sexual desire, or decreased hormone levels also account for lackluster love-making.

Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers. Hormone levels decrease in men and women in mid-life, and both genders may opt for replacement therapy. Testosterone prescriptions began soaring in 2004, according to pharmaceutical-sales tracking. This therapy differs from the dysfunction problem alleviated by the little blue pill that former Sen. Bob Dole has promoted.

Despite advances in synthetic alternatives for women, many have been cautious as a result of a cancer scare several years ago. However, some physicians feel that hormone replacement has gotten a bad rap.

“Not all hormones are the same,” said Pavel Klein, M.D., at the American Epilepsy Society meetings in December. He hypothesizes that replacement of progesterone during a particular period in young girls may be a way of protecting or treating those with pre-existing epilepsy.

Constance Guille, M.D., of the Yale Medical School’s Department of Psychiatry, has a paper in Epilepsy & Behavior regarding research studies under way to determine the therapeutic use of hormones for menstrual-cycle-linked neuro-psychiatric disorders.

Although women taking synthetic hormones say they feel more passionate, this may have to do with relief from their menopausal symptoms. Sexuality, Reproduction & Menopause recently reported that it is the male hormone delivered via a testosterone patch that appears to increase desire and arousal in women.

Can hormone replacement be why Cougars are having so much fun? Men dating or marrying the women say that “Cougars trade on their strengths instead of weaknesses, such as Samantha from Sex and the City. Cougars know that in pleasing us, we will please them.” The good professor added, “Cougars don’t badmouth former husbands and lovers or spill out a sad history of abuse. These women are savvy and fun to be with.”

Scott Haltzman, M.D., a psychiatrist and assistant professor at Brown University, notes in his newly released book, Secrets of Happily Married Women, “Your actions can show your husband how to care for you. As you cater to your guy, he’s watching and learning what marriage means. He’s enjoying the love and care of his wife and will soon feel, if he doesn’t already, the desire to do the same for you.”

For those hoping that a dose of spring fever will rejuvenate life in the bedroom, scientists have disappointing news. Diaries indicate that sexual activity decreases during the spring and does not pick up again until autumn.

Rita Watson ( www.ritawatson.com) is a monthly contributor and senior editor for an on-line medical magazine.