Where’d my libido go? Causes of low sex drive in women

The subjectivity of sexual health means you will need a unique set of solutions to achieve a state of overall sexual wellness, and that is perfectly normal.

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If you're bothered by a low or reduced sex drive, you can take steps to boost your libido. Lifestyle changes and sexual techniques may put you in the mood more often. Some medicines may offer promise as well. neither of you may have a sex drive that's outside what's typical for people at your stage in life. And even if your sex drive is lower than it once was, your relationship may be strong.

What can cause your libido to be low?

Bottom line: There is no magic number to define low sex drive. Symptoms of low sex drive in women include: Having less or no interest in any type of sexual activity, including masturbation. Never or only seldom having sexual fantasies or thoughts. Being sad or concerned about your lack of sexual activity or fantasies. If you're concerned about your low desire for sex, talk to your gynecologist or other healthcare professional. The causes of low libido vary from woman to woman, with some cases requiring a few simple lifestyle adjustments and others requiring more extensive therapeutic solutions.

Understanding the most common causes of a low female sex drive can help shed light on any underlying issues.

6. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

A glass of wine may put you in the mood, but too much alcohol can affect your sex drive. The same is true of street drugs. Also, smoking decreases blood flow, which may dull arousal. Any surgery related to your breasts or genital tract can affect your body image, sexual function and desire for sex. Exhaustion from caring for young children or aging parents can contribute to low sex drive.

6. Diseases

Fatigue from illness or surgery also can play a role. Changes in your hormone levels may alter your desire for sex. This can make you less interested in sex and cause vaginal dryness, leading to painful or uncomfortable sex. Many women still have satisfying sex during menopause and beyond. But some have a lagging libido during this hormone change. At the very least, developing an understanding of the causes of low libido may help you gain some information that can be used when speaking to a medical professional about your decreased libido. Causes of a low sex drive in women include but are not limited to the following. There is a range of physical factors and medications that can lead to a low sex drive in women: Arthritis, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and neurological disease are all nonsexual issues that can cause a lowered libido. Some women experience drops in their libido when sex is painful, or they have trouble reaching orgasm. These issues often cause dissatisfaction and reduce the desire for sex and intimacy. There are prescription drugs known to cause a drop in sex drive, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, a type of antidepressant. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, using street drugs, and smoking are all known to restrict blood flow, which can lead to a dip in sexual arousal.

• 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.

Any form of surgery, especially surgery involving the breasts or genitals, can negatively impact body image, the desire to have sex, and sexual function.

• Testosterone, though lower in women, affects sexual desire.
• Sexual activity releases endorphins, boosting mood and desire.
• Postpartum hormonal changes may decrease libido temporarily.
• Mind-body therapies can support healthy libido.
• Certain birth control methods influence libido differently.
• Sleep disorders can lead to reduced sexual interest.
• Libido often correlates with overall mental well-being.
• Sensuality and body confidence enhance desire.
• Regular intimacy boosts female libido over time.
• Pelvic floor exercises can increase sexual arousal.

Caring for young children, tending to an aging parent, or working long hours are examples of stressful events that contribute to a decreased sex drive. Fatigue stemming from surgery or chronic illness can also have this effect.

When Should You Seek Professional Help?

In fact, women have desires that fluctuate naturally over time and are especially influenced by drastic life changes like pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. Outside of these life events, there are also medical reasons for a woman to experience a decrease in libido. The following information is for women experiencing a disruptive decrease in sexual desire who may be concerned that the issue stems from a medical or psychological disorder that needs professional treatment. However, if you suspect your drop in sexual desire is of a temporary nature, it is still a good idea to speak to a medical professional to rule out other issues and get advice on how to make sound decisions for your sexual health. Never be afraid to reach out to a medical doctor for advice that contributes to improving your well-being.

Is it safe?

Professionals like the team at Arizona Gynecology Consultants are trained to help you determine the root causes of any sexual health problems and find appropriate solutions. Women are often assumed to have a much lower libido than their male counterparts. While it is normal for women to experience fluctuations in sexual desire over time due to the natural highs and lows of life, it isn’t fair to say that all women experience equally low libido. What is most important is for each woman to have a sex life that meets her standards and is enjoyable to the degree she desires. When a woman is not satisfied with the current state of her sex life, her personal well-being and the well-being of her relationships tend to suffer. When a physical issue causes a drop in libido, it is best to identify the problem and take steps to adjust for an improvement in sexual satisfaction. Seeking professional help is especially helpful for finding safe solutions to overcome the physical causes of a low sex drive. Fluctuations in hormone levels can reduce the desire for sex, especially in cases of menopause and issues with pregnancy and breastfeeding.

When to Consider Professional Help for Low Libido

The answer might be as simple as changing a medicine that you take. Or you may need to get a condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes under tighter control. Get the latest information from our Mayo Clinic experts on women’s health topics, serious and complex conditions, wellness and more. Click to view a preview and subscribe below. Please, try again in a couple of minutes Desire for sex is based on a complex mix of many things that affect intimacy.

Relationship or Marital Problems

If you have challenges in any of these areas, it can affect your desire for sex. A variety of illnesses, physical changes and medicines can cause low sex drive, including: If you have pain during sex or can't orgasm, it can lower your desire for sex. Many nonsexual diseases can affect sex drive. These include cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and neurological diseases. Some prescription medicines lower sex drive — especially depression medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). When a woman’s estrogen levels drop, the body makes the transition to cease menses. When menopause sets in, many women become less interested in having sex due to vaginal dryness and painful sex resulting from low estrogen.

Frequently Asked Questions About Increase Female Libido

Concern over your partner's ability to have sex. Factors that can raise the risk of low sex drive include: Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. Pain during sex or not being able orgasm. Mental health conditions and life circumstances that affect your state of mind. Various prescription medicines, including depression medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

2. Mindfulness and Meditation

Surgeries related to the breasts or genital tract. Changes in hormone levels during menopause, pregnancy or breastfeeding. Relationship issues that lessen emotional closeness with your partner. When it comes to limited sex drive or low libido in women, what is considered normal varies greatly, especially across the lifespan. The desire for sex in women is impacted by physical, psychological, and lifestyle factors that may or may not cause a decrease in libido. Some women can and will still experience pleasurable sex during menopause, but others will experience a drop in libido. A similar situation can occur during pregnancy. During and after pregnancy, a woman goes through several phases of hormonal changes that can dampen sexual desire. Many who decide to breastfeed will continue to have elevated levels of hormones that lower their estrogen production so significantly that it can cause a lowered libido. A lack of sexual desire from hormonal fluctuations can be a drastic change for many women and their partners because a healthy sex drive is largely determined by hormonal balance.

Many suspected hormonal issues can be discussed with your doctor and detected through saliva and blood tests.

“Normal” is relative

Thus, it is important for each woman to find her normal, maintain a satisfactory sex life and take care of any chronic health issues that may be contributing to her low libido. For that reason, if you are experiencing dissatisfaction with your libido, it can be considered outside the norm for you. Many issues can arise that negatively impact a woman’s sexual desire. Each woman handles life events and stressors differently, so a major life change that affects one woman’s sexual health minimally could drastically affect another woman and diminish her sexual desire. This is why it is so important to refrain from comparing yourself to others—sexual desire is subjective. In cases where sexual desire is caused by hormonal shifts, women may find solutions, including dietary changes, exercise, hormonal therapy, or a combination of these methods.

• Hormonal replacement therapy can be considered for low libido.
• Female arousal disorder impacts sexual desire.
• Social support enhances mental health and libido.
• Women’s libido can fluctuate throughout life.
• Sexual fantasies can increase desire and arousal.
• Hormonal fluctuations during illness impact libido.
• A positive attitude towards sexuality is beneficial.
• Artificial hormones or pills should be used cautiously.
• Listening to your body can guide your sexual health.
• Laughter and joy are linked to heightened desire.

Believe it or not, your mental state can impact your libido.

Prioritize self-care

Hormone changes during pregnancy, just after having a baby and during breastfeeding can put a damper on sex drive. Fatigue and changes in body image can affect your sexual desire. So can the pressures of pregnancy or caring for a new baby. Your state of mind can affect your sexual desire. Psychological causes of low sex drive include: Mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression.

Other Holistic Approaches

Stress tied to things such as finances, relationships or work. History of physical, emotional or sexual abuse. For many people, emotional closeness is a key to sexual intimacy. So problems in your relationship can vardenafil cost be a major factor in low sex drive. Often, less interest in sex is a result of ongoing issues such as: Poor communication of sexual needs and desires. There are numerous ways poor mental health can cause sex drive to diminish, including: Mental health disorders like depression and anxiety Chronic stress from issues surrounding money, work, or family When psychological distress is at the root of low sex drive, solutions can take on both medical and psychotherapeutic forms.