Let’s Talk About Your Low Sex Drive

Did you know that over half of women have reported having difficulty with sexual function in some capacity? This includes having trouble with low desire, losing arousal, not achieving orgasm, and experiencing pain during sex. So, while it may feel like you’re the only woman who’s ever struggled with a low sex drive — or low libido — you’re actually not alone.

Low sex drive in women often isn’t talked about, but Karen Mass, MD, FACOG, and the rest of our team at Women’s Specialty Care in Lake Forest and Grayslake, Illinois, want to encourage discussion about low libido since it can cause distress for women and their respective relationships.

With that in mind, in this blog, we talk about what might be behind a low sex drive and how it can affect you as a woman.

What it means to have a low sex drive

Having a low sex drive can mean many things for many different people. In general, however, these are some signs that you may have a reduced libido or sex appetite, medically known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD):

• Little to no interest in sexual activity
• Very few (if any) sexual fantasies or thoughts of sex
• Not wanting to initiate sex
• No sense of pleasure during genital stimulation

While it’s normal for sex drive to fluctuate throughout different portions of your life, if your libido diminishes for long periods of time, it can start to affect your romantic or sexual relationships and your own self-esteem.

Causes of low sex drive in women

There’s no single cause of low sex drive in women, but these are some known things that could possibly be the culprit of a diminished sexual appetite:

Physical factors

Many women have reported a reduction in sexual desire due to having pain during sex. This can be because of vaginal dryness, yeast infections, or endometriosis, among others. 

Some prescription medications may also be at fault, especially if you’ve noticed that your sex drive decreased shortly after starting them. Medications that are known to decrease libido include hormonal birth control, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and blood pressure medications. 

Misusing drugs and alcohol has also been linked to low sex drive in women.

Hormonal factors

Your hormones are key players in your sex drive, so things that commonly impact your hormones can cause your sexual pleasure to take a hit. Some of these hormone-related reasons include going through menopause, having hypothyroidism, being pregnant, or breastfeeding. 

Psychological factors

Your physical and emotional well-being are integrated. So, if you’re not doing well mentally or emotionally, your desire for sex will probably be affected as well. Things that affect your mental health, including high stress levels, anxiety, depression, and past traumas, can all cause your body not to desire sex or experience pleasure. 

In addition, a lack of emotional intimacy with your partner may also be contributing to your low sex drive.

When to seek professional help

If you’ve noticed a sudden drop in your sex drive or even a steady decline over the past six months, and it’s really impacting your relationships and self-esteem, we’d love to help you find the culprit. Our team can discuss your symptoms and suggest treatment options if necessary.

To schedule an appointment with our caring and compassionate women’s health team, simply give us a call, or book online today.