Overview
Sex drive (libido) varies greatly among both men and women. Low libido describes a decreased interest in sexual activity. It is common to lose interest in sex from time to time and for your interest not to match your partner’s at times. However, if one has a new and continued lack of interest in sex, it can sometimes be an indicator of an underlying health condition.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of decreased libido in men and women include:
- Having no interest in any type of sexual activity
- Never or only seldom having sexual fantasies or thoughts
- Being concerned by one’s lack of sexual activity and fantasies
Causes
Here are a few potential causes of decreased libido in men:
- Low testosterone
- Medications
- Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
- Psychological factors, such as depression, anxiety, or relationship problems
- Chronic illness, such as cancer or kidney disease
- Fatigue
Causes of decreased libido in women:
- Menopause
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding
- Psychological factors, such as depression, anxiety, or relationship problems
- Medications
- Medical diseases, such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure or neurological diseases
- Fatigue
Diagnosis
To rule out any medical issues, your doctor will ask you a variety of questions to obtain a thorough medical history. In addition to asking you any questions about your medical and sexual history, your doctor may also perform a physical examination and take blood tests.
Treatment
The treatment for decreased libido will often depend on the cause of the problem. Your doctor will create a treatment plan based on your health history and symptoms. This may include lifestyle changes, medication therapy, and hormone therapy.
Lifestyle Changes
Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes to help treat other conditions. This may include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, getting enough sleep, practicing stress management, getting physical activity, and eating a healthier diet – these lifestyle changes will likely raise your libido levels naturally.
