Decreased libido - Vibrant Life Center

What is decreased libido?

Decreased libido, or lowered sex drive, refers to a reduction in desire for sexual activity. Some potential causes include:

• Hormonal changes: Fluctuations in testosterone, estrogen, progesterone can affect libido. Things like pregnancy, menopause, and disorders of the thyroid or pituitary gland may play a role.
• Medical conditions: Chronic illness, like diabetes or heart disease, can understandably make people less interested in sex. Mental health issues like depression or anxiety can also contribute.
• Medications: Many prescription drugs list lowered libido as a side effect. These include antidepressants, blood pressure medications, anticonvulsants, chemotherapies, and more.
• Stress and fatigue: When people feel overwhelmed with responsibilities and drained, sex may become less of a priority. Improving work-life balance can help.
• Relationship issues: Problems with intimate communication, anger, disappointment in the relationship, or losing an emotional connection with a partner can diminish sexual motivation.
• Age: Testosterone levels naturally fall as men grow older. Vaginal dryness and elasticity decrease during perimenopause and beyond for women. Aging impacts desire, but doesn't eliminate it. Many seniors maintain happy sex lives.

If ongoing low libido interferes with a person's quality of life, consulting a doctor or sex therapist can uncover any underlying medical causes. Psychotherapy may help address situational relationship, and emotional barriers to feeling desire. There are also lubricants and hormone replacement therapies that can ease uncomfortable symptoms.

Visit Vibrant Life Center for more information and professional guidance on addressing decreased libido.