In the world of sexuality, the phrase "different strokes for different folks" truly resonates. Some individuals revel in daily sexual experiences, while others find satisfaction in rare moments of sexual intimacy.
As with just about everything life throws at us, your sex drive (or your yearning for sexual interaction) is not a constant; it has its peaks and valleys over time. It's completely natural to experience moments of heightened passion and bouts of low libido.
Independent from whether you have a high or modest desire for sex, what actually matters is your personal perception about this feeling. As long as you are contented with yourself and how things stand, there should be no unwarranted concerns about your level of libido.
But if you're experiencing decreasing interest towards sex - an aspect that is unnerving either to yourself or perhaps distressing to your partner - then understanding why feelings are plateauing may become increasingly important.
We reached out to Allison K. Rodgers, MD, who plays many roles which include being a board-certified ob-gyn and director of education at the Fertility Centers of Illinois besides her work on reproductive endocrinology. Our aim was to garner insights around key influencers upon one's libido as well as possible strategies one might consider in ramping up their levels if so desired.
Tip
Bear in mind, a "standard" level of libido does not exist. It's really about what suits you and what brings joy to you.
What Does Low Libido Mean?
Low libido is defined as the temporary or persistent decrease in sexual desire, reflected in a reduced frequency and/or intensity compared to one's past sexual interests.
Experiencing lower sexual interest happens more than you might think. Indeed, approximately 20% of individuals identified at birth as male (AMAB) and even a larger proportion of those identified at birth as female (AFAB) will confront low libido throughout their lives; this information comes from the Cleveland Clinic.
We have gathered below few indicators that signify reduced sex drive according to Cleveland Clinic:
- Nonexistent or decreased intrigue in any sort of sexual action, including self-stimulation
- Reduction in thoughts about sex or sexual fantasies
- Feelings of distress or unhappiness due to lessened want for engaging in sex
Probable Reasons for Reduced Sexual Drive
Sexual appetite is influenced by an intricate combination of biological, mental and societal aspects. Meaning, there are numerous factors that can diminish your sexual interest. The following are the usual suspects:
1. Experiencing Stress
Plainly speaking, stress serves as an anti-aphrodisiac. Focusing on sex becomes challenging when you're burdened with overwhelming anxiety or tension.
Stress doesn't just drain your longing and vitality but long term stress could also impact your hormone levels, as claimed by the Cleveland Clinic. Moreover, certain hormonal imbalances can lead to decreased sexual desire (we will discuss this in detail later).
2. Menstruation Phase
Interestingly, your monthly menstrual cycle can result in a reduced sexual interest.
Speaking from a biological perspective, hormone levels such as estrogen and progesterone drop during menstruation leading to lower libido, explains Dr. Rodgers.
The reduction in sexual drive is not without reason. According to her, it's part of the body's inherent tendency to maximize libido around the time of ovulation - the peak period for potential pregnancy.
3. Your Medication Intake
Your drug regimen might be a contributing factor to your lowered sexual desire.
Dr. Rodgers notes, "Indeed, certain drugs have the potential to impact libido."
For instance, she explains how contraceptive pills can lead to higher levels of sex-hormone binding globulin which acts like an absorbent and captures hormones necessary for sexual drive.
Certain contraceptives are known for reducing libido as advised by Cleveland Clinic:
- Combined hormonal contraception methods like birth control patch, combined pill or vaginal ring
- The progestogen-only pill
- Contraception implant
- Depo-Provera injection
Other common medications with the potential side effect of inhibiting sexual interest include but not limited to:
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotics
- Chemotherapy medication
- Blood pressure regulating meds
4. Insufficient Rest
A lack of sleep can have a detrimental impact on the various facets of your health, libido included.
"Your body requires adequate rest to function optimally, and when you're worn out, channeling additional energy and mental prowess towards sex isn't high on your physical priorities," says Dr. Rodgers.
To illustrate: A shortage in sleep has been associated with decreased sex drive and arousal amongst individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB) and an escalated risk for erectile dysfunction amongst those assigned male at birth (AMAB), as documented in a Sleep Science article issued between October-December 2017.
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5. Insufficient or Excessive Exercise Might be the Issue
"It's been observed that exercise enhances your natural endorphins (basically, these are chemicals in your body that make you feel good) and it can assist with libido along with overall health," states Dr. Rodgers.
Indeed, incorporating physical activities into your everyday life could support sexual wellbeing. Studies have revealed that individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB) who partake in consistent workouts tend to have improved libido levels which reflects on increased testosterone and fertility rates as well, cites UCLA Health.
The link between fitness and sexual will can also be attributed to exercises beneficial influence on comprehensive health. Regular workouts facilitate healthy weight maintenance while mitigating disease susceptibility.
Further risk factors related to wellbeing - such as diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia- may similarly play a role in reducing your sex drive (and hinder maintaining an erection), per insights by Mayo Clinic.
To encapsulate, if you're not exercising enough there is a likelihood of experiencing diminished sex drive.
Conversely don't forget excessive workout might lead to a similar outcome; over exertion could undermine your romantic inclinations. As expounded by UCLA Health,this occurs due excess endurance training interfering with specific hormones linked to libido.
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6. Alterations In Your Hormones
The control of sex drive in humans relies heavily on hormones like testosterone and estrogen as well as neurotransmitters such as dopamine and oxytocin, says the Cleveland Clinic. As these hormone levels vary, so does your sexual desire.
Life happens in phases and hormonal disturbances are more noticeable during certain periods which include:
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Pregnancy: The journey through pregnancy to childbirth leads to a surge in various hormones that affect one's interest in sex differently at different times. Fatigue, stress, and physical discomfort from being pregnant can outweigh increased estrogen-led heightened libido according to what the Cleveland Clinic posits.
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Postpartum & Nursing Periods: According to Dr. Rodgers, "when hormonal levels reduce such as during breastfeeding period or after childbirth, decline in estrogen level occurs thereby diminishing libido." During weaning mundane hormones including prolactin (which handles lactation)and oxytocin (facilitates body bonding), drop significantly reports Hackensack Meridian Health. This may trigger feelings of sadness, irritation or anxiety.
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Perimenopause & Menopause: Transition into non-reproductive years sees reduced production of estrogen by ovaries directly impacting sexual urge.Mayo clinic alerts that lower levels of estrogen also lead to vaginal dryness making sex uncomfortable,potentially hampering any nascent impulses for intimacy.
Everyone is unique hence it is vital to remember changes experienced due hormonal shifts can be personalized . For instance while some might experience reduce sexual urge post child birth others may comport higher Sexual needs at menopausal stage.
7. Underlying Health Conditions Can Impact You
"When you suffer from any medical conditions, particularly serious ones, experiencing a dip in your sexual drive is quite common," states Dr. Rodgers. "During this time, your body and mind are primarily focused on healing rather than engaging in sexual activities."
There are several health-related factors that can have detrimental effects on one's libido as detailed by the Cleveland Clinic:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic pain
- Diabetes
- Frequent headaches
- Heart disease
- Hyperprolactinemia (a condition characterized by elevated prolactin levels in the bloodstream)
- Hypertension (abnormally high blood pressure)
- Hypothyroidism
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Infections like vaginal yeast infections or urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Reproductive health issues such as endometriosis, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
8. Overindulgence in Drinking or Smoking
Having a small amount of wine might assist you in unwinding and setting the mood for sexual encounters, but excessive alcohol consumption could potentially reduce your sex drive.
Indeed, overconsumption of alcohol can negatively impact testosterone levels and may trigger erectile dysfunction, cites Mayo Clinic.
This is also applicable to smoking which has the ability to both suppress testosterone production and inhibit optimum blood circulation – both factors leading to less satisfactory sexual excitement as indicated by Mayo Clinic.
The use of other illicit drugs can be detrimental to your libido too. Substance abuse not only results in lowered testosterone levels and increased probability of erectile dysfunction, it may even modify how your brain perceives pleasure as per research from Mayo Clinic. This implies that activities like sex - that were once gratifying - may no longer yield the same level of satisfaction.
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9. Let's Talk About Mental Health and Libido
The state of your mental health greatly influences various areas of your life, including your overall wellness and notably, your sexual desire.
Depression can significantly impact an individual's self-worth, trigger feelings of despair and exhaustion which subsequently reduces one's sexual interest. The imbalance it creates among the neurotransmitters that regulate libido is also a factor to take note of. This point has been emphasized by numerous studies like those from Cleveland Clinic.
In parallel with depression is anxiety that expedites cortisol release in our body - the hormone responsible for stress response management. As such, high levels of cortisol could suppress hormones vital to our sex drives as enlisted by Cleveland Clinic.
On another core point: the medicines typically prescribed for alleviating symptoms relateed to anxiety and depression could inadvertently affect one's libido due to their possible side effects relating to sexuality.
Consulting a Physician Regarding Decreased Sexual Drive
Should your sexual desire be innately low and this doesn't cause you any distress, it's completely acceptable.
Dr. Rodgers puts forth the idea that "The scale of normal sexual drive varies enormously and one should understand that numerous external scenarios, hormonal variations, physical ailments, and emotional states may influence it."
She further adds that if it creates complications for you or your significant other(s), or hinders your intimate involvement when desired, then only does it signify an issue.
In case your diminished libido causes discomfort or begins to impact your standard of living adversely, communicate with a regarded physician or mental health specialist. They can carry out a thorough assessment and assist you in understanding and managing the factors contributing towards reduced sexual drive.
