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LOW SEXUAL DRIVE

 

Low sexual drive, also referred to as low libido, describes a decreased interest in sexual activity. It’s common to lose interest in sex from time to time, and libido levels vary through life. It’s also normal for your interest not to match your partners at times. 

 

However, low libido for a long period of time may cause concern for some people. If you find your lack of desire for sex distressing or it's affecting your relationship, it's a good idea to get help.

Causes

There is a complex interaction of many things affecting intimacy that leads to low sexual drive including physical and psychological well-being, experiences, beliefs, lifestyle, and one’s current relationship. Experiencing one or more problems in any of these areas can affect one’s desire for sex.

  • Sexual problems

  • Chronic illness.

  • Medications.

  • Lifestyle habits

  • Sleep problems

  • Surgery

  • Fatigue

  • Menopause

  • Low testosterone.

 

Psychological causes. Your state of mind can affect your sexual desire, which includes mental health problems (such as anxiety or depression), stress (such as financial stress or work stress), low self-esteem (as a result of having an unhealthy body image. Someone who feels unattractive is less likely to want to engage in sex. Fears of rejection may also come in to play), history of physical or sexual abuse and previous negative sexual experiences.

 

Relationship issues. For many women, emotional closeness is an essential prelude to sexual intimacy. So problems in one’s relationship can be a major factor causing low sexual desire. Decreased interest in sex is often a result of ongoing issues, such as lack of connection with your partner, unresolved conflicts or fights, poor communication of sexual needs and preferences and trust issues.

Symptoms

 

Symptoms of low sexual drive include:

  • Having no interest in any type of sexual activity, including masturbation

  • Never or only seldom having sexual fantasies or thoughts

  • Being concerned by your lack of sexual activity or fantasies

 

Treatment

Depending on the cause, possible treatments include:

  • Healthier lifestyle choices.

  • Change to a new medication.

  • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

  • Counselling

 

Culled from Staywellworld blog post dated May 8, 2018.

To learn more, click on 

https://www.staywellworld.org/single-post/2018/05/08/LOW-SEXUAL-DRIVE-LOW-LIBIDO

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