It’s not uncommon for couples to have mismatched libidos, but the underlying reason is often misunderstood.
Women who have a low libido lack the desire for sexual activity and rarely have thoughts or fantasies about sex, but the level of this varies across women.
Low sex drive in women can be a result of various factors such as stress, medical conditions, emotional issues, and more.
Luckily, figuring out which of these is the culprit of your low libido can help determine the best course of action. Keep reading to gain insight into what’s causing your low sex drive and the steps you can take to regain control of your sexual health.
If you do have a low libido, you aren’t alone and there are many potential reasons behind it.
Hormone Changes
Changes to your hormone levels can lead to a lower sex drive. Your hormones fluctuate during menopause, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and from being on certain birth control.
When going through menopause, your estrogen levels decrease leading to drier vaginal tissues, which can make sex very uncomfortable.
If you find you’re suffering from low sex drive due to menopause, consider incorporating a vaginal lubricant into your intimacy routine to help alleviate discomfort.
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Stress and Fatigue
Everyday stress can build up over time, making you tired and drained. In some cases, your priority becomes sleep leaving time for sex on the back burner. Women who work in high-stress careers or are fatigued taking care of the family can develop a low libido.
If you are stressed and have a low libido, try taking a step back and learn to say “no.” Don’t overcommit yourself to unnecessary things, and instead try to make more time for yourself and time for you and your partner.
Sexual Dysfunction
Throughout a woman’s life, it isn’t uncommon to experience issues with her sexual function. Female sexual dysfunction occurs when there are repetitive difficulties with sexual response, pain, inability to orgasm, and low sexual desire.
There are treatments out there such as estrogen therapy, Addyi, a drug used to combat low libido, pelvic therapy, counseling, and more. If you feel that you have these symptoms, it’s important to make an appointment with your doctor to figure out the right plan for you.
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Relationship Issues
A huge factor that affects a women’s sex drive is the stability and quality of her relationship with her partner. If there are issues that have been pushed under the rug for a long time in the relationship, resentment is likely to build up, making her desire her partner less.
This can also occur if there were instances of infidelity within the relationship, causing distrust and insecurity. It’s crucial to sit down with your partner and address the potential relationship issues you both are experiencing and work on finding a resolution.
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Psychological Attributes
The way you’re feeling and your state of mind can really affect your sexual desire. Mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, can cause a lower sex drive. Low self-esteem and poor body image can also lead to desiring sex less.
Talking to a professional may help you get on the path to restoring your sexual desire, effectively communicating, and reducing your symptoms of possible depression or anxiety.