Low Libido: Causes, Signs, Diagnosis, and Treatments

Libido refers to your desire for sex or your sex drive. Many changes in the monthly hormonal cycle or as you age can impact this and cause changes in your libido- however when libido seems to be low due to non-age related reasons over a prolonged period of time – it can become a cause for concern. This has the potential to impact not just an individual but also their partners. In this blog, we will try and understand what these symptoms are and how one can manage them. 

What Is Low Libido?

Simply put, low libido is when you feel like you have less desire or no interest in sex at all. It’s normal for libido to differ from person to person, and it can also change over time. But when your desire is lower all the time or affects your relationships, it is a sign that something may be off.

Libido isn’t always just about something physical- mental, emotional, and lifestyle factors can affect it too. Understanding the cause of your low libido can help treat the problem. 

Causes of Low Libido?

Here are some of the most commonly understood causes of low libido:

1. Hormonal Changes: Your hormones regulate your sex drive. Women can feel changes in their libido during pregnancy, menopause, or birth control- all due to hormonal fluctuations. Men might get lower testosterone as they age, which in turn reduces their sexual desire. In the case of certain hormonal disorders- libido might get affected too. 
2. Stress and Mental Health: High stress, anxiety, and depression can seriously affect your desire for sex. Mental health issues make it harder to relax, feel good about yourself, or even think about intimacy in the first place. Stress from work and relationships can also take a toll on libido.
3. Relationship Issues: If you don’t feel connected to your partner, you might feel no or less interest in intimacy. Problems and conflicts in a relationship lower libido.
4. Chronic Illness or Medications: Some health conditions like diabetes, thyroid issues, or heart disease might change your libido. Likewise, side effects from some medications like antidepressants, blood pressure meds, and others, may reduce sex drive.
5. Lifestyle Factors: Our living style can majorly affect our libido. Not having a proper diet, exercise, and enough sleep can put a toll on your overall well-being and sexual desire. Alcohol and drug use can further lower your libido.
6. Age: With age, it’s natural for your libido to change. Menopause causes a big shift in hormones resulting in a drop in libido in most women. For men, testosterone levels can decline which lowers sexual desire with time. However much of this is natural and not a disorder. 
7. Past Trauma or Negative Experiences: If you have any sexual trauma or bad sexual experiences, it can make you feel less interested in sex. 

Signs and Symptoms of Low Libido

Low libido isn’t just that you feel less interested in sex- it can show up in other ways too. Here are some of the signs that might confirm you’re dealing with low libido:

• You no longer find yourself thinking about sex or wanting it.
• You may find it hard to feel aroused or excited even when you’re with a partner.
• You feel emotionally distant from your partner or feel that sex has become an obligation rather than an enjoyable activity for you.
• Just a mere thought of intimacy makes you stressed or anxious, which makes you avoid it altogether.

Do these symptoms sound familiar? Don’t worry- Allo Health has helped more than 75,000 patients with sexual wellness concerns. Our personalised treatment plan gives a high success rate in improving sexual function and the overall health of our patients. Book an online consultation with one of Allo’s leading experts at just 199/-.

How Low Libido Affects Intimate Relationships?

Low libido doesn’t only impact your sex life- but your emotional and mental connection with your partner. If you keep on feeling disconnected or less interested in intimacy, it can create problems in your relationship. Here’s how:

1. As sex is a major part of a sexual relationship, low libido can make you feel distant or emotionally disconnected from your partner. And with time this makes you feel lonely.
2. If one person has a low libido, it can lead to frustration for both partners. The partner with a higher sex drive may feel rejected or unwanted, while the person with low libido may feel guilty or pressured.
3. Sometimes couples might find it hard to talk openly about their needs. They may avoid conversations about their sexual desires, which can create even more misunderstandings or emotional walls.
4. If you’re not interested in sex, you start feeling bad about yourself or worry that you’re not attractive or desirable. This blows your confidence and starts avoiding your partner.
5. If this issue isn’t treated or talked about over a long time, resentment takes over. One partner feels neglected, while the other may feel blamed. This creates tension in sexual relationships and hurt feelings.
6. In some cases, low libido makes you avoid intimacy altogether. The longer this goes on, the harder it may be to reconnect with your partner.
7. Sex isn’t just physical- it’s also an emotional experience also. When your low libido affects physical closeness, it takes a toll on the emotional intimacy between you and your partner. It can make them feel more like roommates than lovers.

Note: If your low libido continues and keeps affecting your quality of life or relationships, it’s important to consult a sexual health professional. You can now consult a sexual health doctor at any one of 20 Allo Sexual Health Clinics for a full diagnosis. 

How Is Low Libido Diagnosed?

Here’s what you can expect during your diagnosis:

1. Medical History Review

The doctor will ask you about your general health, lifestyle, medications, and any past health conditions. This will help them find out if there’s a physical cause for your low libido.

2. Physical Examination

A physical exam might be done to check for any medical issues (hormone imbalances or chronic health conditions) that could affect your libido.

3. Blood Tests

Your doctor may order blood tests to check your hormone levels (testosterone, estrogen, and thyroid hormones). These tests can reveal if you have any imbalances that might be affecting your libido.

4. Mental Health Assessment

Since mental health can have an influence on your sexual desire, a doctor may refer you to a therapist or mental health professional to check for any underlying anxiety, depression, or other psychological issues.

5. Relationship Counseling

As in many cases, low libido may be related to relationship issues. Here couples go for counseling or therapy to find out interpersonal problems that might be affecting their sex life.

Treatments and Solutions for Low Libido

The good news is that low libido is treatable. The solution varies with the underlying cause. Here are some potential treatments or strategies to improve your libido:

1. Hormone Therapy

If you have a low libido due to hormonal imbalances, hormone therapy could help. For example, women who are going through menopause use estrogen replacement therapy or testosterone supplements to help with their libido. Men with low testosterone may be prescribed hormone replacement therapy.

2. Therapy and Counseling

If one of the causes of your libido issues is stress, anxiety, depression, or relationship problems, try to work with a therapist or counsellor. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is used to treat mental health conditions that affect sexual desire. 

3. Lifestyle Changes

Everyday make healthier lifestyle choices to improve both your physical and mental well-being, which in turn give you a better libido. This includes:

• Take a balanced diet rich in nutrients every single day
• Exercise regularly to improve your energy and reduce stress
• Prioritize enough sleep
• Cut down on alcohol and drug consumption

4. Medication Adjustments

If the medications you’re taking are the very reason for your low libido, talk to your doctor. They might adjust your medication or suggest some alternatives with fewer sexual side effects.

5. Sex Therapy

Work with a sex therapist if your low libido is due to some emotional or psychological factors. Sex therapy teaches how to have a talk with your partner, reduce anxiety around sex, and help you feel more comfortable and confident in intimate situations.

Recent studies have shown that therapies like mindfulness-based therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help people get their sexual desire back by working on their psychological aspects of low libido.

Learn more about how Allo Health can help you manage the symptoms of Low Libido.

What Lifestyle Changes Improve Libido?

Here we will talk about all the small changes in your daily life that can bring back your sexual desire. Here are some simple lifestyle tweaks:

1. Eat a Balanced Diet

What you eat affects everything- your libido also. Try to include all nutrient-rich foods to keep your body healthy and balanced:

• Leafy greens (spinach, kale)
• Berries (blueberries, strawberries)
• Healthy fats (avocados, nuts, olive oil)
• Whole grains (brown rice, oats)

These foods help with building energy and balance out hormones- two things that are essential for a healthy libido.

2. Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise helps with better circulation, good heart health, and makes you feel more energetic- thus better sex drive. You don’t need to do anything extreme- simple activities like walking, swimming, or dancing would work.

3. Get Enough Sleep

Lack of sleep can seriously take your sex drive down the road. When you’re tired, you’re less likely to feel up for intimacy. Try to aim for 7-9 hours of sleep a night to recharge your body and mind. 

4. Manage Stress

Work pressure, family responsibilities, or just everyday worries, stress can sometimes contribute to lowering your sexual desire. Try to relax- do some yoga, deep breathing, meditation, or simply try out hobbies.

5. Cut Back on Alcohol and Smoking

Excessive alcohol or smoking can interfere with sexual performance and make it harder for your body to get in the mood. Cutting them out can make you feel more energetic and in the mood for intimacy.

6. Communicate with Your Partner

Once in a while have a talk with your partner about your feelings, needs and desires. Strong emotional intimacy = better physical intimacy

Key Takeaway

• Libido fluctuates for many reasons- it can be stress, some health changes, or simply life happening. It’s more common than you think.
• Hormonal changes, relationship issues, and our mindless living style can play their part. Don’t ignore any of them.
• Our mental and emotional health is just as important as physical health- mostly when it comes to sex drive.
• Talk to your doctor first. They’ll help you figure out if it’s hormonal, physical, or something else.
• Couples therapy has been shown to help people reconnect and reignite desire. One study found that couples who engaged in therapy had a 40% increase in sexual satisfaction after just six months.
• Don’t feel ashamed if you’re struggling with low libido. It’s a very common issue. Talk it out with your sex expert.  Book your first online session with Allo Health’s top sex experts at just 199/-.