low libido

[Jachell M. McKoy]

Low libido and how you can possibly change it.  First what is the libido it is known as your sexual desire or sex drive. Everyone has a libido, although each person’s libido level varies. It is possible for a person’s libido, or sexual desire, to be affected or change numerous times over their lifetime.  So you ask what can affect or change my libido? There are many different reasons why a person’s libido can be impacted, including physical and psychological stresses or changes.

PHYSICAL

Menopause - A decline in estrogen levels can affect a woman’s libido

Dyspareunia - Painful sexual intercourse

Vaginismus - The involuntary contraction/spasm of the vaginal muscles, which makes penetration difficult, if not impossible

Pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding—Changes in hormone levels can increase or decrease sexual desire

Infections – Yeast infections, urinary tract infections, or a sexually transmitted infection could affect a person’s libido

Problems with orgasm - Being unable to reach orgasm or to reach it within a reasonable period of time

Illness - Certain illnesses and their medications can alter a person’s libido

PSYCHOLOGICAL

Depression - Lack of motivation, feeling sad, and withdrawing from activities, including sex

Performance anxiety - A fear of painful sex, or pressure to have sex or reach orgasm can decrease libido

Fatigue - Being too tired to have sex

Lack of time - Busy schedules could leave insufficient time for intimacy

Familiarity - It is not uncommon for a couple’s desire for sex to decrease over time

Relationship problems - Difficulties in a relationship can make a couple’s sexual desire suffer

Stress - Stress hormones can dampen sexual desire and response

Certain drugs - Antidepressants, oral contraceptive pills, and certain other prescription drugs, aswell as illegal drugs and excessive alcohol use, can lower a person’s libido

Exercise - Too much or too little can affect the libido

Traumatic experience - Sexual harassment, sexual abuse, or rape can have an impact on your libido

Here are some online resources to help you if you are having these problems:

Online Resources

The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists: www.aasect.org

National Institute on Aging: www.nia.nih.gov

National Women’s Health Network: www.nwhn.org

The National Women’s Health Information Center: www.4women.gov

National Women’s Health Resource Center: www.healthywomen.org

[Donna Doss]

Thanks for sharing the resources to go to at the end of your blog, Jachell.  Very helpful information preceding it as well.

[Billie Crooks]

Thanks Jachell for a well written and thought out blog post.  I am especially thankful for the references as you gave people a way to find out more information.  Stress is a bummer and it is one of the top culprits of causing intimacy issues in our relationships.  When people are stressed they don't even really want to be touched or spend time with close loved ones.  Libido gives us the drive to do so many things and it's not just in the bedroom.  Hopefully this tip will help someone today to turn that around.  Peace