Low Sex Drive : Know The Causes, Risk Factors And Treatment

Sexual desire decreases when one has a low libido (low sex drive). It is frequent and may be short- or long-term. Naturally, libido differs from person to person and might change throughout the course of your life. If a decline in your libido is upsetting you, you should consult a doctor.

A reduction in the frequency and/or intensity of your previous sexual desire is known as low libido (low sex drive). It could be short-term or ongoing.

Your libido, which encompasses both having sex with a partner and masturbating, is your total sexual drive or desire for sexual activity. Complex biological, psychological, and social elements all play a role in libido. Sexual hormones like testosterone and estrogen, as well as neurotransmitters like dopamine and oxytocin, control desire biologically.

Naturally, libido differs greatly from person to person. Your sexual desire may alter during the course of your life. There is no ideal or undesirable libido level. Some people desire or have sex every day, while others may only desire sex sometimes or not at all. The "correct" or "normal" amount of libido for you will depend on your tastes and personal situation.

Nonetheless, it is crucial to speak with a medical practitioner or mental health expert if a decline in libido is upsetting you.

Low libido can result from a number of ailments and circumstances, including:

• Problems in relationships.
• Ailment conditions.
• Imbalances in hormones.
• Ailments relating to the mind.
• Certain medicines.
• Stress.
• Ageing.

Low sex desire or libido is typical. At some time in their life, it may have an impact on up to 1 in 5 males or persons assigned male at birth (AMAB) and even more women or people assigned female at birth (AFAB). Furthermore typical is the occurrence of many drops in sex drive throughout the course of your life.

Causes

Low libido can be caused by a variety of biological, psychological, and social reasons.

Any person may have a decline in sex desire due to any number of health issues, including but not restricted to:

• Cancer.
• Renal illness that is chronic.
• Persistent ache
• Diabetes.
• Headaches.
• Heart illness.
• Hyperprolactinemia.
• Hypertension (high blood pressure).
• Hypothyroidism.
• Arthritis rheumatism.

Any person's sex drive may decline due to a variety of psychological and societal variables, including:

Relationship issues: One of the most frequent reasons for a drop in sexual desire is having a problem with intimacy, trust, or communication with your spouse. Throughout the course of a relationship, a couple's desire for sex frequently diminishes.

Tiredness and stress: Taking a nap after a stressful day at work, with family, or in general will diminish your sex urge.

Stress: Your hormone levels may be affected by ongoing stress, which will diminish your libido.

Depression: Your libido may be lowered by low self-esteem, depressive thoughts, and exhaustion. In addition, depression leads to an imbalance in the neurotransmitters that control desire.

Disorders of anxiety: Cortisol, sometimes known as the "stress hormone," might rise as a result of anxiety. Cortisol levels that are too high might reduce the sex hormones that affect your sex drive.

Previous sexual trauma: Sexual desire can be impacted by trauma such as rape, abuse, or sexual harassment.

Other factors for reduced libido include:

Adverse effects of certain drugs. Your sex drive can be diminished by antidepressants, antipsychotic meds, chemotherapeutic treatments, blood pressure medications, and other substances.

Smoking, drinking, or using illicit substances: consumption of Loss of sex drive can result from both drinking alcohol and taking medications inappropriately. Your libido may decrease as a result of smoking's suppression of your testosterone levels.

Physical exercise: A drop in sexual desire can result from either excessive or insufficient physical activity. Moreover, there are a number of ailments and circumstances that have an impact on libido that are especially relevant to those who were born with the gender given to them or the opposite.

Women or those with AFAB may experience a reduction in sexual desire due to the following medical conditions:

Menopause and perimenopause: Your ovaries produce less estrogen during perimenopause and menopause, which can diminish libido.

The problem of sexual dysfunction: Sexual dysfunction can occur throughout any stage of the cycle of sexual arousal. Dyspareunia, vaginal dryness, vaginismus, or difficulties in attaining orgasm are just a few of the conditions that can make sex uncomfortable and reduce sexual desire.

Birth, nursing (chestfeeding), and pregnancy: Hormone levels undergo significant changes during these processes, which may impact sex drive. Your libido may also decline as a result of uncomfortable medical problems and the stress these living circumstances cause.

Infections: A reduction in libido may be caused by transient illnesses such as vaginal yeast infections or urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Reproductive health issues: Endometriosis, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are among the reproductive health issues that might have a detrimental influence on libido.

Certain hormonal birth control methods (contraception) can also result in a drop in sex motivation, including:

• Birth control patches, vaginal rings, and other methods of combination hormonal contraception.
• Birth control tablet that exclusively contains estrogen.
• Implanted contraceptives.
• Shot of Depo-Provera®.
• Men with low libido issues or those who were born male (AMAB)

Men or persons with AMAB may have decreased sexual arousal due to the following medical conditions:

Male hypogonadism, often known as low testosterone, is a disorder in which your testicles do not create enough testosterone (a sex hormone). Although testosterone levels generally decline with age, male hypogonadism can occur at any age.

Sexual dysfunction: Problems with ejaculation, such as erectile dysfunction, can make people anxious about having sex and reduce their desire for it.

Symptoms

A drop in sexual desire compared to your usual interest in sex is the primary sign of low libido.

Other signs include:

• Having no interest in sex of any kind or a decline in interest in sex, including masturbation.
• Having fewer sex-related ideas or fantasies
• Feeling depressed or dissatisfied over having a weak desire for sex

Treatments

The reason for low libido (low sex desire) determines the course of treatment. There are several therapy possibilities.

Depending on the underlying reason, it could be best to consult with one or more of the following medical professionals:

• Primary care doctor (PCP).
• Sex counselor.
• Psychologist.
• Gynecologist.
• Urologist.
• Endocrinologist.

Treatments for decreased libido range from:

Education and communication can help you get over your concerns about sexual function. Knowledge of sex, sexual behaviors, and sexual responses can be helpful. Many obstacles to a good sex life may be solved by having a direct and honest conversation with your spouse about your wants and worries.

Using strategies to enhance how you react to pressures in life is stress management. These methods can stop or lessen the effects of stress, including reduced libido. Journaling, exercise, and other methods of stress management

self-care techniques like meditation.

Change in medicine: If a prescription is to blame for your low libido, your doctor may advise switching it.

Treatment with hormones for menopause Hormone treatment (HT) increases hormone levels while easing some menopausal symptoms, such as reduced libido. Estrogen treatment and estrogen-progesterone/progestin hormone therapy are the two primary kinds of HT (EPT).

Low testosterone treatment with hormones: TRT is used by healthcare professionals to treat male hypogonadism or low testosterone. There are several variations of testosterone replacement treatment, including tablets, creams, injections, and patches.

Individual counseling: The word "psychotherapy" (sometimes known as "talk therapy") refers to a range of therapeutic approaches intended to assist a patient in recognising and altering unhelpful feelings, beliefs, and actions. Counseling with a mental health expert might be beneficial. You discuss any physical or mental health issues or circumstances that could be causing your libido to drop.

Couples therapy: In couples therapy, you and your spouse engage with a mental health professional to strengthen your bond, address underlying issues, and learn how to be more intimate and affectionate with one another. This can assist with libido-related problems.

Sex therapy: Qualified psychologists, physicians, or other healthcare professionals having specific training in assisting patients with sex-related issues, such as a lack of sexual desire, are known as "sex therapists."

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