What is Low Libido?

In medical terms, you have hypoactive sexual desire disorder if you have a persistent or recurrent lack of interest in sex that causes you personal distress. However, despite this definition, you don’t have to have a medical disorder before deciding to seek help. Low libido can result from a number of things and if you aren’t as interested in sex as you’d like to be, talk to your doctor.

A woman’s sexual desires fluctuate naturally over the years, so a temporary decline in libido is usually nothing to worry about. Highs and lows commonly coincide with the beginning or end of a relationship or with major life changes, such as pregnancy, menopause or illness. If you are bothered by a low or decreased libido, there are lifestyle changes and some sex techniques that may increase libido and put you in the mood more often. Read over the following paragraphs for more information outlining what is a low libido and how to overcome it.

What are the symptoms of low libido?

loss libido filling Obviously, the major symptom of low libido in women is a low or absent desire for sex. This is a commonly experienced symptom, where according to some studies over 40% of women complain of low sexual desire at some point. The percentage is significantly reduced (with figures between five and 15%) if taking into consideration only women with ongoing problems.

Regardless of statistics, medical researchers acknowledge that it’s difficult to measure what’s a normal level of libido and what’s low. If you feel less desire for sex more often than your partner does, it doesn’t mean that you’re outside the normal levels, though the differences can cause distress. For this reason the symptoms of low libido aren’t always physical, but more likely to be seen in the breakdown of relationships.

What are the causes of a low libido?

The causes of a low libido are extremely complex and need to be divided into three sections; the physical, psychological and the relational. Below outlines some of the factors that may cause a low libido due to physical abnormalities. Keep in mind factors outside of those outlined can also be responsible, such as the introduction of a new medicine for example.

Physical causes – There are a range of physical problems that can cause a low libido. For example, a sexual dysfunction such as anorgasmia (inability to orgasm) will dampen the desire for sex. Similarly, other medical conditions or diseases greatly affect desire for sex. These conditions can range from the uncomfortable (arthritis) to the really severe (cancer). An excess of alcohol and drugs, contrary to some common held beliefs, will actually serve to diminish sex drive as well. Finally, levels of fatigue are important in determining the libido.

Hormone changes – Changes in your hormone levels can also be significant in changing your desire for sex. For women going through menopause this is particularly relevant. Estrogen helps maintain the health of the vaginal tissues and interest in sex. However, as estrogen levels drop during the transition to menopause this can cause a decreased interest in sex and dryer vaginal tissues, resulting in painful or uncomfortable sex. Women may also experience a decrease in testosterone during this time which also lowers the libido.

What can be done about a low libido?

Since a lack of female libido is usually associated with lowered hormonal levels as a result of menopause, a natural hormone balancing program is often the most effective solution to restoring a healthy libido. This often involves a healthy exercise and diet routine, but can also be supplemented by natural herbs or alternative medicines. Alternative medicines will work to stimulate the body´s own hormones responsible for libido. Click of the following link to learn about treating low libido with alternative medicines.