Many women experience a lack of desire or low libido; this is especially notable in older women. There are many factors that can contribute to low libido in women of all ages including emotional states (stress, anxiety, and depression), hormonal imbalance, illness, certain medications, thyroid problems, and relationship struggles. We can narrow down the cause of your low libido and implement a combination of hormone therapy, medication, and counseling to meet your individual needs.
Libido, or sex drive, is not determined merely by the frequency of intercourse. It is more tied to a woman’s desires expressed often through sexual thoughts and erotic fantasies. When her desire runs high, her sex life prospers because her needs are met. Sexual desire is based on a complex interaction of internal and external factors. As women age, certain hormone productions decrease, they encounter long term stresses with jobs and family, and health problems accumulate, inhibiting sexual desire.
The state of a woman’s physical wellbeing plays a large role in her ability to have sexual desires. These are some of the points that we look for when diagnosing your low libido.
Painful Intercourse
Often, negative emotional effects can arise from regular painful sex, possibly leading to stress, low libido, and relationship troubles.
Arousal & Orgasm
Problems achieving arousal or orgasm affects libido. Many women have difficulty reaching or even never having orgasm despite available and proven medical solutions.
Medical diseases
Diseases that affect sex drive include arthritis, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and neurological diseases.
Hormone changes
As we age, our body decreases the production of certain hormones that play a role in libido, skin, and bone health. With hormone therapy, this decline can be corrected.
Medications
Certain prescription drugs, especially antidepressants or drugs that lower blood pressure, are known to decrease sex drive.
Drugs and alcohol
A drink may put you in the mood, but too much alcohol can dampen sexual reflexes. The same is true of street drugs. Smoking decreases blood flow to sexual organs, dulling arousal.
Fatigue
Exhaustion from daily responsibilities or overcoming an illness or surgeries can play a role in low sex drive.
The mind plays a large role in female sexual desire. When she feels her best, sex can be amazing and even be a source for relieving stress.
Mental health problems
Mental disorders can prevent enjoyment of things or activities that used to bring pleasure. Dissatisfaction in the bedroom can worsen the existing mental disorder.
Stress
Stress in everyday life can result in low libido. Destressing isn’t a snap of the fingers, but the clearer the mind, the more room it will have for relaxation and enjoyment.
Poor body image
Disliking certain parts of your body or having low confidence in the way you look in general will put a barrier between you and sexual intimacy. Over time, it can result in low libido.
Relationship issues
Many women need emotional closeness and a strong connection to their partner to enjoy sexual intimacy. Problems in a current relationship can be a major factor in low sex drive.
Therapy or Counseling
A specialist can help educate and address concerns to improve women’s mental health and sexual response. Couples counseling on relationship issues may also help increase feelings of intimacy and desire.
Medication review
An IWH doctor will review your medications to help you understand which one could be impacting your sexual desire. In many cases, we can recommend alternative medications that won't impact your libido.
Hormone Therapy
We can measure your hormone levels to determine if you need rebalancing. Hormone deficiency impacts your sexual health as well as affecting your mood, sleep, skin, bone, and weight management.
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Innovative Women’s Health founder, Dr. Will Washington, wakes up every day with the same purpose—to help people and the community that surrounds them.
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Perimenopause and menopause are changes that take place in midlife, marked by hormonal changes sabotaging women’s weight loss, mood, sleep, skin, and sex life.
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