Low libido or low sex drive is an average state in which the desire for sex declines. It comes from a number of sources: stress, hormones, relationship problems, even certain medical conditions. It’s OK for a person to experience some changes in libido, but if the change is ongoing, it’s a problem for both you and your partner. The topics we’ll cover in this essay are the causes, consequences, and treatments of low libido and whether or not it’s normal or not.
For starters, let’s be clear that low libido is individual-based and that something low for one person can be normal for another. We don’t even have a universal benchmark for a “normal” sex drive, and what it means to have it varies tremendously. Age, stress, overall physical and psychological health can affect an individual’s libido. For example, libido tends to decline as women approach menopause because of hormone fluctuations; for men, perhaps because of declining testosterone as they age.
What’s more, low libido is a chronic or short-term problem for many of us. This could be due to factors out of our control like work pressures, money problems or romantic issues. In these cases, once these stressors are resolved, libido might fall back to normal. But if low libido continues for longer than two years and begins to erode an individual’s quality of life, then it is something to be concerned about.
The potential reasons for low libido fall into three categories: physical, psychological and lifestyle.
Physically, low libido is linked to hormonal imbalances, chronic diseases, and even medications. Depression, anxiety and problems with your appearance are all psychological contributors. Additionally, lifestyle factors like overeating, drugs and physical inactivity can also impact sex drive. Such root causes need to be recognised and addressed to successfully manage low libido.
Low libido has long-lasting and devastating consequences for one’s self-esteem, mental health, and relationships.
Many of us will feel guilty or shamed about our low sex drive, and become frustrated with how unqualified we are. It also puts pressure on close relationships because sexuality is one of the most fundamental parts of any romantic relationship. In addition, low libido can cause guilt and resentment toward one’s partner that further stress the relationship.
Thankfully, treatments for low libido vary, depending on what’s causing it.
Lifestyle Changes:
Lifestyle modification is an important aspect of addressing low libido. In many cases, low libido is the result of physical or psychological imbalances that can be cured with simple behavioural adjustments. These changes can include:
1. Exercise: Practicing exercise routinely increased libido among men and women. Exercise stimulates blood circulation and releases endorphins, which are linked to a better mood and sexual desire.
2. Healthy Food: Eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet will promote overall wellbeing and raise your level of libido. Some foods, like oysters, avocados and dark chocolate, have aphrodisiac effects that promote sexual desire.
3. Sleep Quality: Sleep deprivation makes you irritable and less sexual. We need to rest enough to sustain a healthy sex drive.
Therapy:
Sometimes, low libido is linked to underlying psychological conditions like depression, anxiety or relationship dysfunction. In these instances, therapy may be a viable treatment. Some common treatments for low libido are the following:
1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy focuses on recognizing and altering negative thinking habits that are underlying low libido.
2. Sex Therapy: A special type of therapy that helps the individual or couple resolve sexual issues such as low libido is called sex therapy. It might involve diagnosing underlying psychological issues, communication and strategies to boost sexual desire.
3. Couples Therapy: Often, low libido can place stress on relationships. Couples therapy can also increase communication and intimacy, and hence sexual desire.
Medications:
Some may also be prescribed drugs to alleviate low libido. However, you must consult with your doctor before using medications that can interfere with other medications or cause side effects. Some of the most widely prescribed drugs for low libido include:
1. Hormone Therapy: In some cases, low libido is attributed to hormonal dysfunction. This can be treated with hormone therapy, such as testosterone therapy for men or oestrogen therapy for women.
2. Antidepressants: Some antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) decrease libido. You can have your doctor give you a new drug or increase the dosage to boost sexual desire.
3. Erectile Dysfunction Drugs: Men may suffer from low libido when it comes to erectile dysfunction. Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, and other prescription medications help with erectile function and sexual attraction.
Alternative Treatments:
In addition to the traditional treatments listed above, alternative therapies have been clinically successful in managing low libido. These include:
1. Herbal Medicines: Certain herbs and pills, including ginseng, maca and ashwagandha, have been found to enhance sexual desire for men and women.
2. Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a Chinese medical practice that uses fine needles to stimulate areas on the body to aid overall health, including sexual function.
3. Aromatherapy: Essential oils (like rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang) can boost mood and induce relaxation, thereby improving libido.
Conclusion:
Bottom line: low libido, on the other hand, is an overwhelmingly common issue, regardless of age or sex. It’s very subjective, and what’s low for one person might be normal for another. It can come from a variety of factors and lead to profound damage in one’s health and relationships. Fluctuations in libido are perfectly normal, but consistently low libido can indicate a health issue that needs to be addressed with a healthcare provider. You can overcome low libido and have a better life, given the right intervention and support.
