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When your sex drive isn’t what it used to be, it’s normal to feel confused or frustrated. After all, it affects more than just your sex life—it can knock your confidence, mess with your energy, and lead to relationship problems. You might notice a drop in your desire or realize your partner’s libido mismatches with yours, leaving you with stress and anxiety.
The reality is that low libido, or a loss of sexual desire, is more common than many realize and can affect anyone. It can stem from hormonal fluctuations, mental health concerns, the natural aging process, and more.
Regardless of the cause, there are often simple and effective solutions that can help you regain your sense of vitality and feel like yourself again.
In this blog, we’ll explore 11 of the most common causes of low libido and how to fix them.
Libido, or sex drive, is a natural part of life that contributes to your sense of self-confidence and can be part of a fulfilling romantic relationship. Serving as a key element of intimacy and bonding, a healthy libido requires hormonal balance.
During sexual activity, your body releases feel-good chemicals like oxytocin and dopamine, which help lower stress and boost happiness. This, in turn, can lead to a stronger immune system, better heart health, and a better sense of self.
Research shows that people who maintain a healthy sex drive tend to feel more confident and satisfied in their lives.
On the flip side, the loss of libido negatively affects your mood, increases stress, and can lead to feeling depressed. Nobody wants that.
So, if you’re experiencing a slow-down in your sex drive, it’s a good idea to know the common causes of low libido and what you can do to reignite that fire.
Several factors can contribute to low sex drive in men and women. Low libido causes may overlap with a variety of mental, emotional, and physical health issues. If you’re wondering what could be impacting your sex drive, here are some of the most common causes of low libido:
Depression can drain your energy, motivation, and sexual desire, making it a leading cause of low libido. According to a 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis, 83% of women and 63% of men with clinical depression experience some form of sexual dysfunction.
Certain medications such as antidepressants are known to cause sexual problems, including loss of libido and hypersexuality. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), one of the most common types of antidepressants, are associated with decreased desire, difficulty achieving orgasm, and problems with erectile function.
Treatment-resistant depression is a deeper issue, so make sure you talk with your physician about any sexual issues while taking antidepressant medication.
Mental health struggles like stress and anxiety often make it hard to relax and feel in the mood for intimacy. It can be exhausting to your parasympathetic nervous system to constantly be in fight-or-flight mode. Also, sexual performance anxiety may contribute to a loss of libido.
Testosterone plays a key role in sex drive for both men and women. Low testosterone levels are often linked to getting older and can result in a noticeable drop in libido.
Imbalances in estrogen, especially during menopause, can lead to vaginal dryness, loss of libido, and discomfort during sex. These hormonal changes can make intimacy less enjoyable, further reducing sexual desire.
Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, is a leading cause of treatment-resistant depression and low libido. A 2019 review showed prolonged primary hypothyroidism leads to hyperprolactinemia, where the pituitary gland overproduces prolactin. This condition is linked to decreased libido in both women and men.
Unresolved conflicts, communication issues, or emotional distance greatly reduces desire. This makes it harder to be intimate with a partner, leading to frustration and resentment. Addressing relationship problems through open communication or couples therapy can help rebuild emotional closeness and reignite sexual desire.
Previous emotional or sexual trauma can interfere with and cause a lasting impact on libido. In particular, PTSD has a negative association with sexual function, satisfaction, arousal, desire, and distress.
Substance use, especially long-term abuse, dulls the nervous system and impairs sexual function. This often leads to low libido, less energy, relationship problems, and an overall lower quality of life.
Carrying extra weight can reduce energy levels, self-confidence, and hormonal balance, all of which can impact sexual function and lower sex drive. Excess weight is also associated with health issues like diabetes, depression, hormone imbalance, and cardiovascular issues.
H3. Diabetes
Health conditions like diabetes can impact a person’s sexual desire. Diabetes affects blood flow and nerve function, often resulting in erectile dysfunction or a decreased libido in both men and women.
While experiencing low libido can be concerning, there are plenty of ways to address and mitigate the issue based on the root causes. The following science-backed strategies can help you restore your sex drive and reduce stress and anxiety.
If you struggle with anxiety and depression, seek help from a mental health professional. Remember that antidepressant medications are tied to sexual dysfunction, so look for natural solutions for depression if possible.
Significantly improving your mental health can also improve physical health, which leads to a better sex drive.
Natural supplements like saffron have been shown to be just as effective as antidepressants for depression without the unwanted sexual side effects. One study found that women who took 30mg of saffron daily experienced increased sexual desire and arousal while men saw improvements in erectile function and overall sex drive.
Hormonal imbalances like low testosterone, waning estrogen, or hypothyroidism can be treated. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be helpful in restoring a healthy libido. Similarly, thyroid medication can improve energy, moods, and sex drive.
Talk to your physician to get your hormone levels checked to know what your body needs.
If relationship problems or past emotional trauma are affecting your libido, couples therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) could help resolve emotional barriers and improve intimacy. Focus on changing automatic negative thoughts, or ANTs, and behaviors that may be affecting your sexual desire and relationships.
Reducing or eliminating substance use can have a quick and positive effect on your sex drive. It not only helps you restore natural desire and function, but it can also improve mental clarity.
Maintaining a healthy diet is essential for hormonal balance, which plays a major role in libido. Focus on nutrient-dense foods to support a healthy weight and improved sexual desire:
If you have diabetes, you need to learn to manage it. Diet, exercise, and medication (when necessary) can improve blood flow and nerve function, which are crucial for a healthy libido.
Experiencing low libido can feel isolating, as it’s an intimate issue that often impacts both you and your romantic relationships. However, you’re not alone—many people face this challenge at some point in their lives, and the causes can be multifaceted.
Whether it’s hormonal imbalances, mental health concerns, or other factors, identifying and addressing the root cause is the key to restoring your libido and reigniting your desire.
Vasconcelos P, Paúl C, Serruya SJ, Ponce de León RG, Nobre P. A systematic review of sexual health and subjective well-being in older age groups. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2022 Oct 25;46:e179. doi: 10.26633/RPSP.2022.179. PMID: 36320206; PMCID: PMC9595221
Gonçalves, W.S., Gherman, B.R., Abdo, C.H.N. et al. Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in depressive and persistent depressive disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Int J Impot Res 35, 340–349 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-022-00539-7
Cohut, M. (2018, March 23). Sex anxiety: How can you overcome it? Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321304
Nuguru SP, Rachakonda S, Sripathi S, Khan MI, Patel N, Meda RT. Hypothyroidism and Depression: A Narrative Review. Cureus. 2022 Aug 20;14(8):e28201. doi: 10.7759/cureus.28201. PMID: 36003348; PMCID: PMC9392461
Gabrielson AT, Sartor RA, Hellstrom WJG. The Impact of Thyroid Disease on Sexual Dysfunction in Men and Women. Sex Med Rev. 2019 Jan;7(1):57-70. doi: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2018.05.002. Epub 2018 Jul 26. PMID: 30057137
van Woudenberg C, Voorendonk EM, Tunissen B, van Beek VHF, Rozendael L, Van Minnen A, De Jongh A. The impact of intensive trauma-focused treatment on sexual functioning in individuals with PTSD. Front Psychol. 2023 Aug 8;14:1191916. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1191916. PMID: 37614489; PMCID: PMC10442952
Johnson, J., & Olsen, N. (2023, June 23). What are the health benefits of saffron? Retrieved from www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327017
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