Decreased libido & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is Decreased Libido?

Decreased libido is a condition when sex drive is low or absent, or you have desire but are unable to make love. In many cases, low sex drive can cause prolonged stress in the relationship.

Your sex drive can increase and decrease unsteadily at different times. One of the factors that can reduce sex drive is an unhealthy lifestyle such as addiction to drugs and alcohol abuse.

How common is decreased libido?

Low libido can occur in men or women. According to statistics, there are about 43 percent of women and 31 percent of men experiencing this condition. This condition is usually diagnosed in people who are middle-aged and older, with chronic stress and diseases of the reproductive organs. This condition can be overcome by reducing your risk factors. Consult your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of decreased libido?

Low libido means that you rarely think about sex, or never at all. The main symptom of this condition is disinterest in any sexual activity, including self-stimulation (masturbation).

People with low libido generally cannot respond even though they are stimulated by pictures, words, or actions. Most of them have sex only for health reasons or to satisfy their partner.

When should I see a doctor?

If you are bothered by low sex drive or have questions, consult your doctor. Everyone's body works in different ways. It is a good idea to discuss with your doctor the best solution for your situation.

Cause

What causes decreased libido?

In some people, decreased libido occurs due to several physical and psychological reasons, including:

Stress. Chronic stress in particular can affect your body's hormone levels and lead to low libido.
Low self-esteem. It's hard to feel sexy when you have low self-esteem or when you have an unhealthy body image. Someone who feels unattractive will be less interested in sex.
Use of alcohol and drugs. Small amounts of alcohol can make you more relaxed. However, too much of it can actually affect the nervous system and lead to fatigue. This makes it harder for you to feel aroused. Illegal drugs can also decrease your sexual desire, for example, marijuana. This type of narcotics can suppress the performance of the pituitary gland which regulates testosterone production.
Lack of sleep. Physically, lack of sleep can lead to increased levels of cortisol (stress hormone) which results in decreased libido.
Treatment. Some medications used to treat depression, high blood pressure, and other common ailments can affect libido or result in sexual dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction.Decreased libido is a common emotional side effect of erectile dysfunction. When a man has erectile dysfunction, he may become anxious, lose his self-esteem, and may be afraid to have sex.
Hormonal imbalance. Libido has a direct effect on testosterone levels, so low libido is often caused by low testosterone or a hormonal imbalance.
Menopause. Women may experience low libido at menopause for several reasons. The decreased level of estrogen during this time causes the vaginal tissue to dry out. The result is discomfort and pain during intercourse which reduces sexual desire in women. Menopause can also decrease testosterone, a hormone that increases libido in both men and women.
Health condition. Serious health conditions such as cancer or kidney disease can suppress testosterone levels and decrease sperm production. Low testosterone is also a side effect of other diseases such as kidney disease, HIV / AIDS, and diabetes.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for decreased libido?

There are many risk factors that can lower your libido, namely:

If you experience pain during intercourse or an inability to orgasm, this will reduce your desire to have sex.
Many non-sexual diseases affect the desire to have sex such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease and neurological diseases.
Many prescription drugs - including some antidepressants and anti-seizures - are libido killers.
A glass of wine may turn you on, but too much alcohol can take your sex drive away; like when you abuse drugs.
Smoking also decreases blood circulation, resulting in a lack of arousal.
Mental health problems such as anxiety and depression
Stress, such as financial stress or work stress
Negative body image
Low self-esteem
History of torture or sexual abuse
Bad sexual experience

Drugs & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are my treatment options for decreased libido?

Treatment of decreased libido depends on the cause of the condition.

Mental causes: You can discuss with a sex therapist or advisor who has expertise on sexual topics and can help with your condition.

Typical therapy includes education on sexual response and techniques and recommendations for reading materials to train partners. Couples counseling that addresses relationship issues can also help increase feelings of intimacy and arousal.

Hormonal imbalance: your doctor will give you supplemental testosterone with a patch, gel, or injection. For women, estoterol may be given as a cream or ring that is placed inside the vagina.

Medicines: If the cause of the decreased libido is medication, your doctor may change to a different type of medication. You must know the effects of stress and its harmful effects on physical function and libido. Take appropriate steps such as regular exercise, adequate sleep, eating nutritious foods, and so on.

What are the usual tests for decreased libido?

The doctor will diagnose your condition by asking questions about your medical history and performing a series of examinations which include:

Pelvic examination. While doing a pelvic exam, your doctor will check for signs or physical changes that are contributing to low sexual desire such as thinning of the genital tissue, vaginal dryness, or points that trigger pain.
Recommended test. Your doctor may refer you to blood tests to check hormone levels and look for evidence of thyroid problems, diabetes, high cholesterol, and liver problems.
A sex specialist or therapist may be able to evaluate the emotional and relationship factors that cause low sex drive.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be taken to treat decreased libido?

Some of the healthy lifestyle changes that may make a big difference to your sex drive include:

Sports. Regular aerobic exercise and strength training can increase stamina, improve body image, improve mood and increase libido
Reduce stress. Find better ways to deal with work, financial, and day-to-day stress so you can increase your sexual desire
Communicate with your partner. Couples who communicate honestly and openly usually have stronger emotional connections which make sex better. Communicating about sex is also important. Discussing likes and dislikes will result in better sexual intimacy
Set aside time for intimacy. Scheduling regular sex onto your calendar can seem artificial and tedious. However, making intimacy is a priority that can help restore your sexual arousal
Add a little spice to your sex life.Try different sex positions, at different times, or at different locations. Ask your partner to try more foreplay. If you and your partner are open to experimentation, sex toys and fantasies can also make your sex life more interesting
Give up bad habits. Smoking, illegal drugs, and excessive alcohol can reduce sexual desire. Giving up this habit can increase your sex drive and also improve your overall health