What Causes a loss of or low libido and information about sexual desire in women and men

What is Low Libido?

The desire for sex is very similar to a desire for food, in that both can be defined as a type of ‘appetite’. Just as we can have a loss of appetite for food, so can we lose our desire for sex.

Low libido refers to a lack of sexual desire or interest in having sexual intercourse. While low libido can affect both sexes, it is more commonly reported in women than in men.

Sexual desire varies from person to person and desire, in most instances, depends on a range of circumstances. Sometimes a low libido is a result of underlying physical conditions, while at other times it may be linked to psychological issues or a combination of the two.

Low libido can cause a range of relationship difficulties and may also affect self-esteem. For men, especially, this type of sexual dysfunction is often hard to come to terms with and is a subject not easily discussed.

Because men are usually portrayed as highly sexual individuals, lack of libido may bring about feelings of guilt, depression, anger, stress shame and low self–esteem.

Diagnosing Low Libido

The symptoms and signs of low libido include reduced sexual desire, less frequent sexual thoughts and fantasies, and a reluctance to initiate sex. In addition, less frequent masturbation takes place and a lack of desire for sex still occurs even when there have been no sexual encounters for days, weeks, or even months.

What Causes Low Libido?

Low libido can result from physical or psychological factors or a combination of the two in both men and women. Since male and female sexual desire is experienced differently we will look at a few of the possible underlying causes for low libido in each gender.

Other factors such as fatigue, sexual incompatibility, lack of time and privacy can also contribute to low male libido and low female libido.

Possible Causes for Lack of Male Sexual Desire

Physical factors that may contribute to low male libido include:

• Prescription Drugs
• Obesity
• Anemia
• Constipation
• Low Levels of Dopamine
• Fibromyalgia
• Lyme Disease
• Diabetes
• Heart Disease
• Kidney Disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Alcoholism
• Obesity
• Drug abuse
• Impotence
• Male Menopause
• Nutritional Deficiencies
• Premature Ejaculation

Psychological factors that may contribute to low male libido include:

• Depression
• Stress
• Anorexia
• Anxiety
• Sexual Abuse and Trauma
• Sexual Identity Crisis
• Relationship Issues with Partner

Possible Causes for Lack of Female Sexual Desire

Physical causes of low libido in women include:

• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
• Medications such as Antidepressants and Contraceptives
• Postpartum Depression
• Anemia
• Constipation
• Low Levels of Dopamine
• Fibromyalgia
• Lyme Disease
• Thrush
• Urinary Tract Infection
• Diabetes
• Heart and Vascular Disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Menopause
• Vaginismus
• Dyspareunia
• Alcoholism and Drug Abuse

Psychological factors that may contribute to low female libido include:

• Depression
• Stress
• Anorexia
• Anxiety
• Poor Self Image
• Sexual Abuse and Trauma
• Sexual Identity Crisis
• Relationship Issues with Partner

Help for Low Libido

It is advisable that people with low libido thoroughly research their options before agreeing to prescription drugs with their risk of side effects and potential for addiction. While medication may be appropriate when there are physical causes for male low libido, or female low libido, there are many safer and effective that can enhance sexual arousal without the negative side.

Natural help for decreased sex drive can not only help to increase libido, but also have the added benefit of improving overall health and body functioning without the side effects of prescription drugs.

More Information on Low Libido