Where’d my libido go? Causes of low sex drive in women
For example, hypertension (high blood pressure) has been linked to decreased sex drive, but it’s hard to know if it’s due to the underlying disease or the medications people take to treat it, Dr. Clifford says.
| Condition | Effect on Libido | Treatment Options |
|---|---|---|
| Hypothyroidism | Often causes decreased libido | Thyroid hormone therapy |
| Diabetes | Can impair sexual function | Blood sugar control |
| Depression | Frequently reduces desire | Antidepressants, therapy |
| Pelvic Pain | Deters sexual activity | Medical or physical therapy |
Diabetes, cancer, coronary artery disease, and neurological diseases are also linked to lower sex drive, per the Mayo Clinic. Anxiety and depression can make it difficult to get in the mood, and common medications for treating them—most notably, SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors— are also known for reducing sex drive. Having low self-confidence or just overall feeling negative about your body can cause your libido to plummet. Dr. Clifford notes that this can happen at any point throughout life, particularly during pregnancy and postpartum.
- Regular sexual activity can maintain healthy libido.
- Libido may decrease due to aging or menopause.
- Certain neurological conditions affect desire.
- Creative and novel experiences can boost libido.
- Healthy relationships nurture sexual desire.
- Darkness or low lighting often enhance arousal.
- Supplements like maca root are believed to improve libido.
- Hormonal fluctuations are a common cause of desire changes.
- Some medications can increase libido as a side effect.
- Listening to music may increase sexual arousal.
“Some women feel very sexual in pregnancy, but many do have a diminished libido not just because of hormonal changes but also body image issues,” she says. Breastfeeding can also affect how you feel about your body, turning your breasts from a source of pleasure into nourishment for your baby. Additionally, surgery on the breasts or genitals can also affect how you feel about your body and your desire for sex, according to Dr. Clifford. Some medications are well known for affecting libido, including SSRIs for depression and anxiety.
- Libido can fluctuate due to menstrual cycle phases.
- Certain medications might lower female sexual desire.
- Hormonal therapies can help restore libido in some women.
- Psychological factors like depression impact libido.
- Body image issues can decrease sexual desire.
- Herbal supplements such as ginseng may enhance libido.
- Physical intimacy fosters emotional and sexual connection.
- Sexual fantasies can be a natural part of desire.
- Lifestyle factors like smoking reduce libido.
- Chronic illnesses may negatively affect female libido.
Others, like hypertension medication, hormonal birth control, anti-seizure meds, and opioids, have also been linked to changes in sex drive, though research is a bit mixed, Dr. Clifford says. Smoking cigarettes, drinking a lot of alcohol, and taking recreational drugs can all affect sexual arousal.
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“Maybe their libido is low, but who cares, as long as everyone is happy.” Problems typically arise when sex drives are mismatched; one person wants to get intimate more often than the other. “This can cause relationship difficulties as sexual intimacy is an important aspect of many partnerships,” Dr. Chuang says. Low libido is relatively common, Dr. Chuang says, with studies suggesting that it affects one in three women—or about 33%—at some point in their lives.
You’re pregnant or nursing a baby
There’s not a lot of data on the topic, though, she adds. Some people feel embarrassed about their lack of desire, so it’s typically underreported. Numbers aside, it’s normal for women to experience fluctuations in sex drive throughout their lives, Dr. Clifford says. Low libido can manifest in numerous ways.
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Per the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms may include: Lack of interest in sexual activity, including masturbation Lack of interest in sexual activity, including masturbation Difficulty getting aroused or experiencing pleasure during sexual activities Difficulty getting aroused or experiencing pleasure during sexual activities Sadness or concern about your lack of sexual desire Sadness or concern about your lack of sexual desire “Low libido can have a significant impact on a person’s mental health as it may lead to feelings of frustration, inadequacy, guilt, or shame,” Dr. Chuang adds. Multiple factors impact a woman’s sex drive. Physical health, mental well-being, hormonal fluctuations, relationship dynamics, life experiences, and stress levels can all affect whether or not someone is in the mood, Dr. Chuang says. Being sleep-deprived can make sexual activity feel like the last thing you want (or have the energy) to do. Similarly, stress can be an absolute mood killer. When you’ve got too much on your plate and mind, “by the time it’s bedtime, the last thing you want to do is have sex, and that’s normal,” Dr. Clifford says.
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Sex can be painful for multiple reasons, explains Dr. Clifford, including hormonal changes that cause dryness or health conditions like endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Sexual dysfunction and inability to orgasm can also make sexual activity less appealing to you, and therefore, you stop desiring it.
How Is Low Libido Diagnosed in Women?
The Menopause Society is proud of its comprehensive video series for women and healthcare professionals on important midlife health topics. Discussing Sexual Health Concerns With Your Healthcare Professional Discussing Sexuality and Menopause With Your Patients Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues The Menopause Society’s website offers a searchable listing of healthcare professionals including those who have earned the prestigious Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP) credential. Start your search for a certified menopause practitioner today. Start your search for a certified menopause practitioner today. Every woman’s libido, or sex drive, is different, but one element is universal: Desire changes throughout life.
Emotional and relationship factors shape desire
Like other feelings, it ebbs and flows. But what happens when, more often than not, you just aren’t feeling it anymore? The truth is, however frequently (or infrequently) you crave sex doesn’t make a difference as long as you and your partner are content. If either of you is unhappy with your sex drive though, you’ll want to get to the bottom of it so that you can find a way to feel excited about intimacy again. Moreover, it’s helpful to learn when low libido is a legitimate health concern, and if so, what you can do about it.
Strengthening the pelvic floor to enhance orgasms
“Low libido refers to a persistent or recurring lack of sexual desire or interest in sexual activities,” says Meleen Chuang, M.D., a clinical associate professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Family Health Centers at NYU Langone in New York City. Sex drive varies wildly from person to person and individually can vary by the week or time of day. Libido also changes throughout life, influenced by social, emotional, and physiological factors. “Low libido is only a problem if it’s affecting your life,” says Susann Clifford, M.D., an OB/GYN at Duke Women’s Health Associates in Durham, NC, and assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Duke University School of Medicine. “Meaning, either you or your partner are affected by your lack of sex drive.” The truth is, plenty of couples live happily with both partners having low sex drives, she adds. If there’s relationship friction—maybe you and your partner have been fighting a lot, or you feel a lack of connection, distrust, or are having communication issues—chances are, you won’t feel the closeness that you need to want to be intimate, according to Dr. Clifford. Past sexual abuse or trauma from an intimate relationship can also deeply affect your trust and sexual desire in a new relationship, even if you do feel safe and cared for now, she adds. There are several formal medical terms for low libido: When it doesn’t cause you distress, it’s known as female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD); when lack of desire does cause emotional distress, it’s called hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), per the National Library of Medicine.
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Some buy vardenafil 40mg of the most common causes of low libido in women include: “Hormonal imbalances, such as decreased estrogen levels during perimenopause or menopause, and the changes that happen during pregnancy and in the postpartum period, can impact sexual desire,” says Dr. Chuang. Low estrogen can not only dampen desire, but it can also cause vaginal dryness, which leads to painful sex. And if sex no longer feels good, you’re naturally not going to want it. Plenty of chronic health conditions (physical and mental) can affect your libido, both directly and indirectly. When you have a combination of the two, it's known as female sexual arousal/interest disorder (FSAID). A diagnosis involves a comprehensive evaluation by your OB/GYN, Dr. Chuang says. “This may include discussing medical history, conducting a physical examination, and assessing potential psychological factors.” Your provider may also order blood tests to check hormone levels or identify any underlying medical conditions that could affect your arousal.
| Habit | Effect on Libido | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Exercise | Enhances circulation and mood | Maintain consistent activity |
| Excess Alcohol Consumption | Reduces sexual responsiveness | Limit intake |
| Sleep Quality | Poor sleep decreases desire | Aim for 7-9 hours sleep |
| Smoking | Constricts blood vessels, lowers desire | Quit smoking |
The best fix for low libido will depend on the cause. Depending on why your sex drive has tanked, the following treatments may be beneficial. Keep in mind that several factors may contribute to your flattened desire, so you may need to try a combination of treatments to feel a notable difference, according to Dr.
Alternative medicine
Adverse events such as acne and facial hair growth may occur, and long-term risks are still being investigated. Treatment of a partner’s sexual problems may be important to improving a woman’s sexual function and satisfaction. Sexuality doesn’t—and shouldn’t—end with menopause. Still, even with advancing age, safe sex is critical. After menopause and without the risk of pregnancy, it’s easy to let protected sex slide.
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But anyone who is not in a long-term, monogamous relationship and has unprotected sex is at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You need to be aware of the many infections you can get and take the necessary precautions. Postmenopausal women are especially vulnerable to STIs because having fragile vulvar tissues can allow these viruses to enter the body more easily. With menopause, the ovaries stop making estrogen, which can cause your vagina to become dry and less elastic or “stretchy.” Fortunately, low doses of vaginal ET can keep the lining of your vagina healthy. For some, regular use of long-acting vaginal moisturizers when combined with regular vaginal sexual activity helps.
Hormonal changes influence sexual desire
Regular vaginal sexual activity is important for vaginal health after menopause because it stimulates blood flow, helps keep your vaginal muscles toned, and maintains your vagina’s length and stretchiness. Although many couples enjoy sex in their older years, there is absolutely no “normal” frequency for having sex at any age. If there’s no conflict around sex in your relationship and the relationship is loving and intimate in other ways, there is nothing to be concerned about. Bothersome hot flashes, especially if they are associated with night sweats and sleep disruption, certainly could affect sexual interest. When your overall quality of life is poor and you are tired from rustling the covers all night, sleep may take priority over sex. Clifford. Working with a mental health professional can be extremely valuable for improving desire, Dr.
- Mindfulness during intimacy can heighten desire.
- Maintaining a healthy weight supports hormonal health.
- Pelvic health exercises improve blood flow and desire.
- Vitamin B complex might influence libido positively.
- Hydration impacts overall sexual function.
- Women’s libido can reflect emotional connection.
- Certain spices, like cardamom, have aphrodisiac qualities.
- A balanced sex life contributes to overall well-being.
- Exercise releases hormones that can increase desire.
- Creative visualization techniques may enhance libido.