Is Low Sex Drive Normal? Revealing the Complex Causes of Low Libido in Women

To find out what’s causing your sex drive, your provider will ask about your: If they think a health issue might be impacting your sex drive, they may do tests like: Blood tests for things like hormone levels The right treatment depends on what’s causing your low sex drive. Your provider may treat you directly, or refer you to a specialist, like: Types of treatment for low libido include: Learning more about how sex and desire work can help reduce anxiety.

• Estrogen levels influence female libido significantly.
• Regular exercise boosts sexual desire.
• Adequate sleep enhances hormonal balance and libido.
• Stress reduction can improve sexual interest.
• Aromatherapy with essential oils may stimulate arousal.
• Communication with partner increases sexual satisfaction.
• Adequate hydration is vital for overall sexual health.
• Consuming a balanced diet supports hormone function.
• Lesbian or bisexual women may experience different libido patterns.
• Age can affect libido, often decreasing after menopause.

Talking openly with your partner about your needs and any concerns can also help improve your sex life. Managing stress can boost your mood and your sex drive. Helpful tools include journaling, exercise, meditation and self-care routines. If your medication affects your sex drive, your healthcare provider may change your dose or recommend switching to a different one. If menopause is lowering your sex drive, hormone therapy (HT) may help. It can include estrogen or a mix of estrogen and progesterone/progestin hormone therapy (EPT). For women with hypoactive sexual arousal disorder who haven’t gone through menopause yet, there are two FDA-approved non-hormonal medications.

Preventive Strategies for Maintaining a Healthy Libido

There are also several conditions and situations that affect you based on your reproductive anatomy. In women, libido (sex drive) can drop for many reasons, including: As estrogen levels drop, so cheap super p force tablets can your desire for sex. Pain during sex, vaginal dryness or trouble reaching orgasm can make sex feel stressful. Hormone changes, discomfort and stress during this time can lower your libido. Temporary conditions, like yeast infections or urinary tract infections (UTIs), can make sex uncomfortable.

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder

Conditions like endometriosis, PMS and polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) can all negatively impact libido. Some hormonal birth control (contraception) methods can lower your sex drive. Combined hormonal contraception, including the combined pill, vaginal ring or birth control patch For men, a drop in sex drive can happen for several reasons, including: Low testosterone: This sex hormone controls many aspects of libido. Levels can drop with age or due to a medical condition. Sexual problems: Trouble keeping or getting an erection (erectile dysfunction), or premature or delayed ejaculation, can lower desire or cause anxiety around sex. Filbanserin (Addyi®) is a pill you take every day. Bremelanotide (Vyleesi®) is an injection you give yourself 45 minutes before you expect to have sex. Talk with your provider about the common side effects and what’s best for your situation. For men with low testosterone, treatment may include testosterone replacement.

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Causes of Low Libido

Perimenopause and menopause come with major hormonal shifts that can leave your desire running on empty. Low libido can also be caused by many underlying health conditions, medications, relationship problems, and lifestyle factors like stress, lack of sleep, and an unhealthy diet. Ask your healthcare provider if you are a candidate for bremelanotide, an FDA-approved medication for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). The injection can be given 45 minutes before having sex in order to increase your sexual desire. Improving libido really is a long-game, though.

Strengthening the pelvic floor to enhance orgasms

Focusing on a healthy lifestyle, connecting with your partner, and addressing underlying health conditions or hormonal issues like lack of estrogen in menopause, will help stoke a strong sex drive. Exercise may be one of the best natural libido boosters. It increases your mood, decreases stress, improves sleep, betters your body image and self-esteem, and promotes healthy blood flow. Rather than trying to get a high libido, focus on what you can do to promote a healthy-for-you libido. If vaginal dryness is bothering you in bed, address that asap.

More Information

If hot flashes are keeping you up at night, consider if HRT may be right for you. Look at as many lifestyle changes, medications and other improvements you can make to help your libido make a comeback. As long as you’re satisfied with it and it works for you and your partner, you’re good to go. If you're attracted to your partner and having sex enough for you, then you're good. But if you've noticed a definite decline in your interest in intimacy, that may be a sign that your libido is low for you. Talking with a therapist can help you work through thoughts, emotions or conditions — like anxiety or depression — that may affect your desire. A therapist can help you and your partner improve communication, solve problems and rebuild intimacy. Sex therapists specialize in helping people with sexual concerns, including low desire.

• Libido can be suppressed by hormonal imbalances.
• Social factors and cultural attitudes influence desire.
• Libido peaks during certain life stages.
• Open relationships may have different impact on desire.
• Physical touch and affection can stimulate libido.
• Medical conditions like thyroid issues affect desire.
• Nutritional deficiencies can diminish libido.
• Women with higher self-esteem tend to report higher desire.
• Overcoming past trauma can positively influence libido.
• Mindfulness can help women reconnect with sexuality.

They can offer support, education and practical advice. If your low sex drive is bothering you, talk to a healthcare provider or mental health expert. They can help you figure out what’s going on and how to treat it. Here are some things you can try on your own: Trusted sources can help you understand what affects sex drive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Low libido (low sex drive) means you don’t feel as interested in sex as you used to. You might want it less often, or your desire might not feel as strong. The change can be temporary or last longer. Low libido (low sex drive) is common.

What you can do

It affects up to 1 in 5 men — and even more women — at some point in life. While hormones and anatomy can influence libido, low sex drive can affect anyone. Many people notice changes in their sex drive more than once over the years. The main symptom of low sex drive is wanting sex less often or less strongly than you used to. Not feeling interested in any kind of sex, even masturbating by yourself Feeling upset or worried about your lower interest in sex Many things can lower your libido — including your physical and mental health, aging, relationships and stress levels.

6. Make Lifestyle Improvements

Some health conditions that may affect your sex drive include: Mental health and life stress can also lower your desire for sex. Problems with your relationship, like a lack of trust or closeness Stress from work, family or daily life Depression, low self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness or physical fatigue Anxiety, which raises stress hormones that can lower sex drive Past sexual trauma, like abuse or assault Antidepressants, antipsychotic medications, chemotherapy drugs and blood pressure medications can decrease your sex drive. Drinking too much alcohol or improperly using drugs can both impact your sex drive. Smoking can suppress your testosterone levels, which can lower your libido. Either too much or too little physical activity can cause a decrease in sex drive. Open, honest conversations can make a big difference. You can exercise, eat well and cut back on alcohol. If you have issues like diabetes or heart disease, work with your doctor to keep them well-managed. See your healthcare provider if low sex drive is hurting your well-being or your relationship. Check for health issues or side effects from medications It can feel awkward or uncomfortable to talk to a medical professional about your sex life — but you’re not alone. Many people go through changes in their sex drive. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Sex is a natural — and often important — part of your health and well-being. Maybe you’re feeling concerned, overwhelmed or just aren’t sure what’s going on. Whatever you’re feeling, if you’re distressed about your libido, talking with a healthcare provider or mental health professional can be a helpful first step toward feeling better. Sign up for our Health Essentials emails for expert guidance on nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin care and more. Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process. Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards. Female Sexual Dysfunction ( Med Clin North Am.

Condition	Effect on Libido	Treatment Options
Hypothyroidism	Often causes decreased libido	Thyroid hormone therapy
Diabetes	Can impair sexual function	Blood sugar control
Depression	Frequently reduces desire	Antidepressants, therapy
Pelvic Pain	Deters sexual activity	Medical or physical therapy

Loss of Female Libido ( Last reviewed 5/2024. Hormone therapy for sexual function in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women ( Cochrane Database Syst Rev.

• Women may experience increased libido during ovulation.
• Libido varies widely among women and over time.
• Meditation and mindfulness can improve sexual desire.
• Safe sex practices contribute to a positive libido.
• Libido can be affected by relationship quality.
• Some women experience libido enhancement from acupuncture.
• Vitamin D deficiency may be linked to low libido.
• Obesity can impact hormone levels and desire.
• Libido is influenced by both physical and emotional health.
• Women’s libido can be improved through counseling.

Decreased Libido in Men ( Reviewed/Revised 9/2024.

• Libido can fluctuate due to menstrual cycle phases.
• Certain medications might lower female sexual desire.
• Hormonal therapies can help restore libido in some women.
• Psychological factors like depression impact libido.
• Body image issues can decrease sexual desire.
• Herbal supplements such as ginseng may enhance libido.
• Physical intimacy fosters emotional and sexual connection.
• Sexual fantasies can be a natural part of desire.
• Lifestyle factors like smoking reduce libido.
• Chronic illnesses may negatively affect female libido.

Low Sex Drive ( Last reviewed 6/2022. Loss of Libido ( Last updated 1/2023. Sexual function in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis ( Hum Reprod Update. Cleveland Clinic’s primary care providers offer lifelong medical care.

Personalized treatment for hypoactive sexual desire disorder

If you’re in perimenopause or menopause and want guidance from clinicians who specialize in women’s midlife health, book a virtual visit with Midi today. Hormonal change is at the root of dozens of symptoms women experience in the years before and after their period stops. Our trained menopause specialists can help you connect the dots to guide you towards safe, effective solutions. Whether you need personalized guidance or a prescription routine to tackle symptoms—including brain fog, hot flashes, sleep trouble, mood swings, and weight gain—we’ve got you covered. Midi’s mission is to revolutionize healthcare for women at midlife, wherever they live and whatever their health story.

Medications for HSDD

We believe that starts with education, to help all of us understand our always-changing bodies and health needs. Our core values guide everything we do, including standards that ensure the quality and trustworthiness of our content and editorial processes. We’re committed to providing information that is up-to-date, accurate, and relies on evidence-based research and peer-reviewed journals. For more details on our editorial process, see here. A low libido (low sex drive) means you feel less interest in sex.

When to See a Doctor for Low Sex Drive

It’s common and can be short-term or last a while. Everyone’s sex drive is different, and it can change throughout your life. But if it bothers you or affects your well-being, talk to a healthcare provider. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. From sinus infections and high blood pressure to preventive screening, we’re here for you.