What is decreased libido?
Decreased libido, or low sex drive, refers to a decrease in desire for sexual activity. Both men and women can experience low libido for a variety of reasons, including:
- Hormonal changes: Low testosterone in men and low estrogen/progesterone in women can lead to decreased libido. Hormone imbalance is a common culprit. The experts at Harmony Hormone Clinic can assess your hormone levels and create a customized treatment plan to help restore healthy hormone balance and reignite your sex drive.
- Medical conditions: Chronic illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, and heart disease can negatively impact sexual desire. Certain medications, like antidepressants, blood pressure meds, and opioids can also lower libido as a side effect.
- Psychological factors: Stress, anxiety, depression, poor body image, and previous negative sexual experiences can dampen arousal and interest in sex. Relationship problems and poor communication with a partner may also contribute.
- Age: Testosterone levels naturally decline as part of the aging process, which may result in decreased sexual desire in middle-aged and older men. Menopause causes a rapid drop in estrogen, leading many women to report low libido in their 40s-50s.
Signs of low libido may include:
- Not initiating sex or intimacy
- Taking little enjoyment from sexual activity
- Finding it difficult to become aroused
- Lacking energy for sex
- Thinking about sex rarely or losing interest
If you're concerned about a persistent decrease in your sex drive or desire, don't hesitate to see your doctor. Low libido can put stress on relationships and impact quality of life. Through hormone testing, lifestyle changes, treating underlying conditions, improved communication with your partner, or sometimes medication, many people find their sex drive can be restored. Regaining intimacy and sexual satisfaction is possible!
The hormone experts at Harmony Hormone Clinic also offer specialized testing and treatments focused on optimizing hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and DHEA to help reclaim your passion for sex and intimacy in relationships.
This answer was provided for informational purposes only and should not substitute medical advice from a licensed healthcare provider. Consult your doctor if you have concerns about decreased libido.