Having a diminished sexual desire or low libido is a common problem that can impact both men and women at some point in their lives.
While it’s usually not an issue in the short term, if the problem persists, it can cause issues within your relationship.
If you’re struggling with a low sex drive, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. One of the best ways to determine why you have a low sex drive is to find out what may be causing it. Let’s unravel some of the root causes of diminished sexual drive.
Aging
As you get older, you may experience less of a desire to have sex, especially compared to the desire you had when you were younger. This can occur due to lower sex hormones in the body, health problems that are related to getting older, or side effects from any medication that you may be taking.
Anxiety and Stress
People experiencing depression may also notice their motivation to engage in their daily activities is lower.
Depression
Depression can bring on feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and low self-esteem. It can also cause individuals to withdraw from their loved ones and activities that they previously enjoyed. The chemical imbalances in the body and brain that cause depression as well as these signs and symptoms can have a major negative impact on someone’s sex drive.
Hormonal Issues
Hormonal issues like an underactive thyroid can also lead to a low libido. When the thyroid gland isn’t able to produce enough hormones, someone may experience signs or symptoms of exhaustion, depression, and weight gain. These hormonal issues combined with the side effects of the signs and symptoms that someone experiences can harm someone’s sex drive.
Lifestyle
A lot of people associate partying with the hookup culture. While hookups can happen after a night of partying, this type of lifestyle can lower someone’s libido.
Drinking excessively, smoking, or partaking in recreational drives can lead to a lower sex drive as well. Some of these substances are depressants or have ingredients that work to suppress hormonal levels within the body that can lower one’s libido.
Physical Activity
While physical activity is often seen as a good thing, when it’s done too little or even too much, it can cause problems. There is a balance with everything in life. Moving your body and being physically active have many different benefits like reducing stress and increasing one’s mood. Too little or too much physical activity can lead to a decrease in someone’s sex drive.
Relationship Problems
If you’re experiencing a lower sex drive, one of the first places to look should be within your own relationship. Worrying or doubting yourself, your partner, or your relationship together can cause a lower sex drive. One of the most common issues that couples face is becoming too comfortable or too used to the same, old, routine. If you and your partner haven’t spiced things up in a while, you may become bored or dissatisfied.
Next Steps
A decreased sex drive is more common than you may think.
If you’re experiencing problems with your sex drive or within your relationship, it’s important to know that you’re not alone.
The treatment for having a low sex drive depends on the cause. A mental health provider will be able to help you work through what may be causing this change in your life.
Learn how therapy can help you or your partner,