Have you noticed that your libido has declined slightly or even drastically in recent months or years? It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause for each individual at times, but it’s important to know the different reasons it may have dipped to determine the best treatment plan for you. These are just a few reasons both men and women can see a decline in libido. Keep reading to find out the reasons and what you can do to help fix it.
Relationship Issues
One of the biggest reasons for a decreased libido that many may ignore is actually relationship issues. This could be due to lack of emotional satisfaction with the relationship, unresolved arguments, poor communication, trust issues, or performance issues from your partner.
Low libido could also be caused by the birth of a baby and it can take months for parents to get back on track with their sex lives in this case. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can also cause hormonal changes that make it difficult to increase libido.
Treatment Options: If you’ve recently had a child, talking with your doctors and knowing when it’s safe to restart sex can help you get in the right direction. If there are other issues within the relationship, counseling may be suggested.
Age
For both men and women, age can be a factor when it comes to decreased libido. Menopause leads to a drop in estrogen and may result in vaginal dryness which can make intimacy more painful and thus less desirable.
Lower testosterone levels, which decrease with age, can actually affect women as well as men, making it more difficult to become aroused.
Treatment Options: If you think you’re experiencing low testosterone levels or going through menopause, you may want to explore bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and similar treatments.
Poor Sleep
Lack of quality sleep can affect just about everything in our lives, from our moods to our work. That includes a person’s libido. It was actually found in a study that men with obstructive sleep apnea can experience low testosterone. Even in younger men, less than five hours of sleep a night over a period of a week can result in lower testosterone levels.
Treatment Options: It’s important to pin down the reason for your poor sleep. You may want to opt for black out curtains, noise machines, or a new bed to ensure you’re getting 8 hours of quality sleep each and every night. If you snore and/or you awake feeling tired even with 8 or more hours of sleep, you might also need a sleep study to check for obstructive sleep apnea.
Mental Health Concerns
Your mental health can absolutely play a role in your libido levels. Stress can do a number on your overall health, including your sex life. Even just a little anxiety can wreak havoc. Depression in particular is known to reduce or even completely erase any interest in sex.
Low self-esteem or peer pressure can also be factors at play and put a damper on your sexual encounters, which in turn, can result in further anxiety regarding sex.
Treatment Options: If you’re suffering from depression, it’s essential to talk to your doctor about activities and treatment options. For stress and anxiety, breathing techniques, regular exercise, and meditation can do wonders. You may also want to opt to talk to a therapist for self-esteem or stress related issues.
Medications and Drugs
A number of current medications could be the cause of your lower libido. Just a few include:
- Corticosteroids
- Opioids
- Some antidepressants including SSRIs
- Anabolic steroids
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation treatment for cancer
- Blood pressure medications
- Oral contraceptives
- And others
- Even if you don’t see your medication on this list, it still could be the reason.
Lower libido can also be caused by alcohol intake and drug use. Even just tobacco has been linked to a decrease in testosterone production.
Treatment Options: If you are taking any of these medications or others you may suspect are impacting your libido, it’s important to talk to your doctor. You do not want to quit any prescribed medication without speaking to your physician first. It may be possible to adjust your dose or switch to another medication without the side effect of decreased libido.
If you drink, smoke, or do illicit drugs, you should consider quitting in order to increase your libido and overall health.
Medical Problems
In addition to medications, medical issues, including chronic illnesses, can lead to a decreased interest in sex or make sex uncomfortable or difficult. A few examples include:
- Restless leg syndrome
- Cancer
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Arthritis
- Coronary artery disease
- Neurological diseases
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Thyroid Disorders
These medical concerns and others can impact a person’s sex drive physically as well as mentally.
Treatment Options: Treating the medical condition can help you get your interest in sex back, but it’s essential to talk to a doctor about your options. Each medical condition requires different care and medication, so each situation is unique.
If you notice a decrease in your libido, it’s important to start thinking over potential causes. It could be caused by aging, an ongoing medical issue, or concerns within the relationship. Talking with a doctor and therapist can help you get back on track.
Do you think your lack of interest in your sex life is due to the aging process? You may want to consider Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy. In addition to getting back your libido and increased function, you may also notice better mental clarity, improved sleeping, and increased energy levels. Click here to schedule your free Ready to Feel Good Again Strategy Call to learn how we can help.