Low libido, or hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), is disinterest in sexual activity causing marked distress or relationship difficulties and doesn’t improve with therapy. Plano low libido is a fairly common issue, affecting 10 to 15 percent of women and 2 to 3 percent of men in the U.S., according to the National Institute of Health.
Here are the symptoms, causes, and treatments for low libido
What are the symptoms of low libido?
1. Lack of interest in sex: People with low libido might not feel like having sex or be interested only in certain sexual activities. For example, they may be fine with masturbation but have little desire for partnered sexual activity.
2. Inability to achieve arousal: A normal libido also requires a person to have the capacity to become sexually aroused. This is sometimes called sex drive. It means having the mental and physical capacity to become interested in sex or sexually excited when that option is presented. People with low libido may have trouble getting aroused or becoming aroused enough to enjoy sex.
3. Lack of enjoyment during sex: The final criterion for diagnosing low libido is whether someone enjoys sex once it happens. If people are having sex just because it is expected of them, because others expect them to want it, or because they are afraid their partner will reject them if they don’t get involved in sexual activity.
What are the causes of low libido?
Relationship issues
Relationship problems are the most common cause of low libido. If you are unhappy with your partner, you may be less interested in sex. If you are fighting or falling out of love with each other, your sex life will likely suffer. It is essential to work on your relationship first and foremost if you want to increase your sex drive.
Stress and anxiety
Stress and anxiety can also contribute to low libido. When stressed, we’re more likely to focus on our problems rather than our pleasures, including sexual ones. Prolonged stress can also make us feel exhausted, making us less interested in sex and less able to enjoy it when we do have it. Try meditating or doing yoga regularly to help manage your stress levels and boost your stamina for both work and play.
Medications or illness
Some medications can cause low libido in women, including antidepressants (SSRIs), birth control pills, and hormone replacement therapy drugs. Depression and anxiety are also associated with low sex drive, although there may be a link between these conditions and the use of certain medications. And depression is more common among women with hypothyroidism or adrenal insufficiency (adrenal fatigue). Some women experience menopause-related changes in their hormones as well as vaginal dryness and painful intercourse that can cause them to lose interest in sex altogether.
Hormonal imbalance
Low sex drive can be caused by an imbalance of hormones, including testosterone and estrogen. Testosterone is the hormone that makes men more masculine and women more feminine. It also helps to regulate the menstrual cycle in women, so when this hormone is out of balance, it can affect your sex drive.
Low Libido is a common problem among women and men. It means you are not very interested in having sex or do not like it. It is not just about sexual satisfaction but also the frequency of sex. Low libido may make you feel tired, unmotivated, and even depressed. In this case, you should consult Christopher J. Riegel, M.D.
