Low Libido refers to a significant decrease in sexual desire or sexual thoughts. This is a common concern that affects both men and women at different stages of life. Signs of Low Libido in males and females include less interest in masturbation, fewer sexual thoughts, or a lack of motivation to participate in intercourse.
Common causes of Low Libido include a stressful lifestyle, unhealthy habits, poor sleep patterns, and relationship issues. Causes specific to men include Low Testosterone, Erectile Dysfunction, and certain prostate treatments. In women, menopause, pregnancy, and vaginal dryness usually play a significant role.
This article outlines the common Low Libido causes, factors specific to men and women, and when it is the right time to seek medical consultation.
Common causes of Low Libido in men and women
Common Low Libido causes in men and women include psychological factors like Anxiety, an unhealthy relationship, poor sleep and lifestyle, or use of certain medications. These causes overlap in both men and women because sexual desire depends on the hormonal balance, brain chemicals, sleep, physical health, and emotional connection. When any of these factors are disrupted, interest in intimacy and sexual thoughts can decrease.
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- Mental health issues: Anxiety or Depression, or stress, can disturb the balance of serotonin (a mood stabilizer) and dopamine (a feel-good hormone) in the brain. In turn, this reduces sexual thoughts and makes intimacy feel mentally exhausting instead of pleasurable or exciting.
- Relationship issues: Unresolved conflicts, lack of communication, poor emotional intimacy, and severe trust issues impact the sexual interest of both partners. This makes intimacy feel stressful and emotionally unsafe.
- Sexual trauma: Traumatic sexual experiences or past abuse can induce Anxiety, fear, body tension, or avoidance. This can reduce sexual desire and make intimacy unappealing.
- Poor sleep quality: Poor sleep can affect libido by disturbing hormone production, increasing fatigue, worsening mood, and increasing stress levels. In men, lack of sleep can affect testosterone levels, which play an important role in sexual desire. In women, poor sleep can disturb estrogen and cortisol balance, making arousal, desire, and sexual satisfaction more difficult.
- Chronic health conditions: Long-term health problems like Diabetes can cause nerve damage, fatigue, and blood vessel-related problems. Thyroid disorders can disrupt metabolism, energy levels, and mood. All these can impact sexual function and reduce sexual desire. Conditions like High Blood Pressure and heart diseases can reduce circulation, increase tiredness, and create fear or discomfort around intercourse, which can lower desire over time.
- Medications: Certain medicines like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are used as antidepressants and directly influence serotonin levels, which can lower sexual desire. Other medicines, like blood pressure pills, affect blood circulation, and opioids can suppress testosterone.
- Unhealthy habits: Excessive alcohol consumption reduces arousal and testosterone levels, while smoking can damage blood vessels. Recreational drugs can disturb the brain chemicals involved in the sexual desire mechanism.
- Obesity: Excessive weight gain can disrupt hormonal levels, cause vascular issues, and increase inflammation in the body. Gradually, it also impacts mental health, creates self-image issues about body size, and reduces confidence. Ultimately, all these factors reduce the desire to get intimate.
Low Libido causes in men
Low sex drive in men is generally linked with testosterone levels, erectile health, and certain health conditions. Disrupted hormone signals from the brain to the testicles also impact sexual desire:
- Low Testosterone (Low T): Testosterone plays a key role in male sexual health. It drives morning erections, sperm production, mood, energy levels, and sexual thoughts. As a result, when its levels drop (Low T), it directly leads to Low Libido and reduces sexual motivation.
- Age: Sex drive naturally decreases with age due to a drop in testosterone levels and increasing risk of age-related health issues like severe fatigue or Arthritis. Changing lifestyle behavior with age and medications consistently taken to manage age-related issues also contribute to decreasing libido.
- Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and Performance Anxiety (PA): Persistent ED can lower sexual confidence, especially after repeated unsuccessful intercourse. This can make men worry about failing again before sexual activity even starts. The stress response can put the body in fight-or-flight mode, making arousal and erection harder. Over time, this cycle can reduce sexual desire and worsen Performance Anxiety.
- High prolactin levels: Excess prolactin (a milk-producing hormone) production indirectly suppresses Luteinizing Hormone (LH). LH is the primary trigger to produce testosterone. With LH suppressed, testosterone production dips.
- Prostate Cancer treatments: Treatment methods like radiation therapy and surgery can affect the blood vessels and nerves involved in erectile function. On the other hand, hormonal therapies lower testosterone to control tumor growth. It can directly impact sexual function and reduce libido.
- Pituitary or testicular disorders: The testicles make most of the body’s testosterone, which plays an important role in sexual desire. The pituitary gland acts as a control center, sending signals to the testicles to produce testosterone. If the testicles are damaged or the pituitary gland does not send enough signals, testosterone levels can drop. This can lead to Low T and reduced libido.
Low Libido causes in women
Low sex drive in women is associated with pain during sex, a dry vagina, hormonal fluctuations, and pregnancy-related changes. Such factors directly influence desire or make intimacy uncomfortable:
- Vaginal dryness and pain: Low estrogen levels, recurring Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), Vulvodynia (pain in the external part of the genitals) and Endometriosis (uterus lining growing outside of it) make the vagina dry and penetrative sex painful (Dyspareunia). This increases physical discomfort and reduces the desire for intimacy.
- Perimenopause and menopause: Levels of progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone drop during perimenopause and menopause. This decline leads to physical discomfort like vaginal dryness, night sweats, and emotional changes like low self-esteem and Anxiety, which can reduce the desire to get intimate with the partner.
- Pregnancy and childbirth: Significant hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, along with other symptoms like fatigue, nausea, and body discomfort, can reduce interest in sexual intimacy. Postpartum (after childbirth) changes like vaginal dryness, baby blues, Postpartum Depression, and recovery from delivery can further lower libido.
- Use of contraceptives: Hormonal contraceptives, like birth control pills, injections, implants, and patches, contain estrogen that elevates the levels of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG). Excessive SHBG binds to testosterone, reducing its availability and decreasing sexual desire.
- Breastfeeding: Prolactin levels rise when you are breastfeeding. It inhibits ovulation, reduces estrogen levels, and can reduce sexual desire. Low estrogen levels even lead to vaginal dryness in some women.
Also read: To learn treatment methods of Low Libido, read Effective Treatment of Low Libido in Females.
When to see a doctor?
A temporary dip in sex drive is common and doesn’t always need medical care. However, if Low Libido persists and starts affecting your relationship and overall quality of life, it is best to consult a doctor. Treatment of Low Libido will depend on the root cause and differ for males and females.
Talk to a doctor if:
- Low Libido keeps returning or persists for several weeks.
- It causes significant frustrations, relationship issues, and distress.
- You also have other sexual issues like ED, pain during sex, or vaginal dryness.
- Sex drive is affected after menopause, childbirth, or starting a new medicine.
- You have Diabetes, heart conditions, or thyroid diseases.
- Stress management and lifestyle changes didn’t improve symptoms.
Conclusion
Low Libido affects both men and women, and most of the time has more than one cause. Common Low Libido causes include mental issues like stress or Depression, a strained relationship, sexual trauma, unhealthy habits, or a poor sleep schedule. Use of antidepressants and underlying health conditions also reduces the desire to get intimate.
Causes specific to men include Low T, ED, PA, prostate cancer treatments, and certain pituitary and testicular disorders. In women, causes typically include hormonal fluctuations linked with perimenopause and menopause, vaginal dryness, and use of hormonal contraceptives.
A temporary drop in sexual desire is normal, but distressing or persistent Low Libido should not be ignored. Consult your doctor if it lasts for weeks, occurs with ED or vaginal dryness, affects your relationship, and leads to pain during intercourse.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my libido back?
You can regain libido by first identifying the root cause, like stress, poor sleep, or relationship issues. Start by exercising regularly, aiming for 8-9 hours of sleep, reducing stress through meditation, addressing relationship issues, and limiting alcohol. See a doctor if Low Libido persists or occurs with vaginal dryness, Erectile Dysfunction, or severe fatigue.
Why is my horniness gone?
Horniness or sex drive can be reduced due to mental issues like Anxiety or stress, poor sleep, use of antidepressants, hormonal changes, and relationship conflicts. ED, menopause, breastfeeding, and pregnancy also impact the desire to get intimate with the partner. If the change is sudden, persistent, or distressing, consult a doctor for timely treatment.
What treatments are available for Low Libido?
Treatment will depend on the underlying cause. General methods include counseling, stress management strategies, quitting smoking and alcohol, and changing medicines that affect libido. Hormone therapy can help when Low T or menopause is the cause. For postmenopausal women with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), FDA-approved medicines like Flibanserin and Bremelanotide can help.
What drinks increase libido?
Drinks that increase libido include beetroot and pomegranate juice, as well as adequate daily water intake. These drinks can support energy levels, blood circulation, and general sexual health. Green tea may also support circulation. However, no drink instantly or reliably increases libido. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption, as it can impact erections and arousal.
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Elham Hooshang is the senior writer for the men’s health edition at Goodrxmedicine.com. Before joining our writer’s panel, she worked as a primary care provider in Atlanta.
Trained in routine obstetrics, Elham still practices maternity care in her home state and brings her expertise to the information that we provide to our readers.
