Low Libido Overview
Low libido, or
low sex drive or sexual desire, is a common condition affecting many people around the world. It can be caused by a variety of different factors, both physical and psychological. Low libido decreases a person's desire for sex and interferes with their ability to perform during sexual intercourse. This condition affects both men and women on a surprisingly wide scale. Low libido on the part of one partner can cause much frustration, tension, and anguish in marriages and other relationships. However, many people who suffer from this condition are too ashamed or embarrassed to seek help. Yet, after pinpointing the probable cause or causes of low libido in an individual, the problem can often be overcome. As a result, it is very beneficial to know about the various causes of and treatment for low sexual desire.
As already mentioned, low libido can result from a multitude of different causes. Psychological factors frequently inhibit sexual desire, including emotional trauma and past abuse. Conflict or confusion over one's sexual orientation can decrease sex drive, as can anger, depression, stress, and conflict in relationships. An incredibly long list of physical factors can also affect levels of sexual desire in both men and women. Such physical causes range from low amounts of certain hormones, medical conditions, and the use of some drugs and pharmaceuticals.
Weight problems are one physical factor that can lead to low libido. This is true for both ends of the weight problem spectrum, including obesity and anorexia. Low libido resulting from being either over or under weight can often be resolved by addressing the weight problem. Generally, once an individual reaches a more average, healthy weight low libido will no longer be a problem. Certain diseases and physical conditions can also lead to decreased sexual desire. Some such conditions include diabetes, arthritis, anemia, and cardiovascular disease.
Often, low libido occurs as a side effect of various medications. For example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of antidepressants, have been linked to decreased sex drive in some individuals. If this is the case, sometimes an adjustment or change of medication can help to alleviate the problem. Abuse of certain illegal substances, such as marijuana, heroine, and cocaine, can also inhibit sexual desire, as can abuse of alcohol. While in certain cases low libido may be incurable, often the problem can be overcome with relative ease.
Female Low Libido
While both men and women suffer from low libido, the causes and treatments are not always the same, although many overlap. Approximately twice as many women as men suffer from low libido and it has significant impact upon the lives and relationships of those whom it affects. While the above mentioned causes of decreased sexual desire apply to women, there are also several factors and triggers which are specific to females and female low libido.
For example, in the case of medications, birth control pills can sometimes be the culprit when it comes to female low libido. These contraceptive medications cause hormonal changes and adjustments within the female body, which can then interfere with a woman's sexual desire. Unfortunately, lowered female sex drive can also result from a hysterectomy. Menopause can also affect a female's sexual desire in a number of ways. Estrogen therapies used to treat and control symptoms such as hot flashes in menopausal women sometimes trigger low libido. Also, the physical changes that occur in this stage of a woman's life can also have a direct effect on levels of sexual desire. For instance, the lessening of natural lubrication and elasticity of the vagina that occurs with age can make sexual intercourse uncomfortable or painful for some women. The anticipation of this pain then leads to tension and decreased sex drive.
Deciding what to do about a female's low libido depends on identifying the cause or trigger of the decreased sex drive. Once the cause of the problem is known, there are steps that can be taken to improve the situation in most cases. When female low libido is caused by hormonal contraceptives or estrogen therapies, changes or adjustments to these medications under the supervision of a physician will likely improve or even eliminate the problem. Sometimes certain medications or hormone supplements can improve sexual desire, especially when a woman is suffering from low androgen levels. Lack of natural lubrication or soreness in the vagina can often be overcome through the use of a lubricant or an estrogen vaginal cream.
Women can also overcome low libido in some cases by making certain lifestyle changes. For example, when decreased sexual desire is caused by stress, conflict, or fatigue, taking steps to reduce these factors can be of great help in returning one's sexual desire back to a normal level. Women who are suffering from low libido should not be embarrassed or afraid to talk to their doctor. In fact, raising the subject with a qualified professional is often a major first step on the road to eradicating low libido.
Male Low Libido
Male low libido is a problem that afflicts many men, detracting from their peace of mind and quality of relationships. Decreased sexual desire in men is a source of many negative emotions, including feelings of inadequacy. Many of the common causes of low libido lead to decreased sex drive in men, including depression, stress, substance abuse, and medical conditions such as diabetes. At the same time, there are certain factors which are more frequently associated with male low libido than with female low libido.
While low levels of testosterone are also a cause of decreased sex drive in females, it is one of the most common factors with regards to male low libido. As they age, men go through a medical phenomenon known as andropause. Similar to how menopause leads to the decrease in estrogen in women, andropause leads to the decrease in testosterone in men. This change takes place slowly over time, is mostly unobvious, and generally affects men around age forty to fifty-five. While this transition can result in decreased energy and physical agility, it can also trigger low libido. Certain medications can be prescribed to combat male low libido, and a physician should be consulted in order to decide whether or not this is the best course of action in an individual case.
Men are also susceptible to psychologically induced low sexual desire, as are women. However, certain psychological causes or situations may be more common among men, although not exclusive to men. For example, low libido sometimes stems from a desire to control or punish one's spouse or partner. A low sex drive can occasionally give a man a feeling of power over his spouse or partner as it allows him to detach himself from the intimacy or sexual activity.
Removing psychological barriers to increased sex drive can often be achieved through counseling or even just through improving communication between partners. Eliminating stressors and conflict also go a long way to improving psychologically-based low libido. Proper diet, exercise, and sufficient sleep are also important. Quitting smoking and moderating alcohol intake can also be very beneficial. If you are suffering from low libido, whether male or female, it is very important to consult a physician in case this problem is a result of a serious medical condition that requires attention. In relationships, honesty, understanding, and communication go a long way when trying to overcome male or female low libido.
