Low Libido: Common Causes and Proven Ways to Boost It
Low libido can be caused by physical factors like hormonal imbalances (low testosterone), medications, chronic illnesses, or psychological issues such as stress, anxiety, or depression.
While treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include lifestyle changes, therapy, hormone replacement, or medications.
Loss of sexual desire can affect relationships and overall well-being.
In this blog, we’ll discuss common causes of low libido and how they’re diagnosed.
Also, explore the most effective treatment options for restoring a healthy sex drive.
What Is Low Libido?
Low libido refers to a reduced interest or desire in sexual activity.
It can be temporary or long-term and is influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors.
Hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and brain chemicals such as dopamine play a key role.
Libido varies from person to person and changes over time; there’s no universal "normal."
If a drop in sexual desire causes concern or affects your well-being, it's important to speak with a doctor.
Common causes include certain medications, stress, relationship problems, ageing, hormonal imbalances, and mental health conditions.
Explore how stress can lead to erection problems in men.
What are the Signs of Low Libido?
- Decreased interest in sex or masturbation
- Emotional distress linked to lack of desire
- Difficulty becoming aroused
- Fewer sexual thoughts or fantasies
How common is a low libido problem?
Low libido or low sexual drive has now become very common among men and women.
It affects almost 1 in 5 men or people assigned male at birth and women or people assigned female at birth.
During your entire life, it is common to experience a drop in sexual drive more than once.
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How Common Is Low Libido?
Low libido affects approximately 1 in 5 adults, regardless of gender. It is common to experience a drop in sexual desire at various stages in life due to physical, emotional, or relational factors.
What Causes Low Libido?
1.Medical Conditions That Affect Libido
Chronic conditions
There are several chronic illnesses and diseases which can affect your sexual function negatively. These include:
Diabetes
High blood sugar levels are responsible for causing both nerve and vascular damage.
These effects further result in erectile dysfunction in men and cause decreased blood flow to the genitals in women.
Women with diabetes can also experience higher rates of bladder infections and yeast, making sexual activity painful or uneasy.
Osteoarthritis
People suffering from joint pain and stiffness can find it more difficult to be involved in sexual activities.
Heart disease
Heart disease is responsible for damaging your blood vessels and causing decreased circulation.
This damage further decreases the flow of blood to the genitals and reduces arousal or lubrication.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure can affect your blood circulation and lead to low libido.
Cancer
Different treatments for cancer, like radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy, can affect your libido.
Obstructive sleep apnea
Untreated obstructive sleep apnea can make you suffer from symptoms of low libido.
2. Medications That Can Lower Libido
Some medicines can cause you low sexual desire or sexual dysfunction.
These medications include:
- Hormonal contraceptives
- Antidepressants with serotonergic effects
- Antipsychotics that increase levels of prolactin in the body
- Medicines for treating high blood pressure
- Drugs for an enlarged prostate, including dutasteride and finasteride.
Recreational drug use or excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to low libido.
Find out which drugs may lead to sexual dysfunction among males: Drugs which can lead to erection problems.
3. Psychological and Emotional Factors
Several emotional and psychological factors affect a person's desire to indulge in sexual activity.
Mental health problems due to fatigue, anxiety, poor self-esteem, depression, or former sexual abuse can decrease a person’s interest in sexual activity.
Nevertheless, relationship issues, including poor communication, lack of trust, and conflict, can also decrease a person’s drive for sexual activity.
Low Libido in Women: Causes and Factors
Here are some causes of low libido in women:
Menopause
Sexual problems related to menopause are mainly a result of reduced levels of estrogen.
Menopause also causes a drop in testosterone, which females produce in small amounts.
Also, lower testosterone levels can contribute to a problem of reduced sexual desire.
Low estrogen levels also start causing dryness and thinning of vagina after menopause.
This further makes women suffer from or experience aching and uneasiness during intercourse.
In case a person is experiencing discomfort or pain during sexual activity, they can lose interest in lovemaking sessions.
Pregnancy and Postpartum Changes
During pregnancy, several hormonal changes occur in a female’s body and affect her sexual drive.
This type of change affects each woman differently. Some women might have an increased interest in sexual activity.
Other women can also have a low libido problem and might not feel like being involved in sexual intercourse.
During postpartum months, women’s hormone continues to fluctuate, which affects their sexual drive.
Low Libido in Men: Causes and Factors
Low Testosterone
Testosterone is a sexual hormone that males produce in their testes.
You need to know that testosterone is responsible for different bodily processes and features, including:
- Muscle mass
- Facial and body hair
- Bone health
- Sexual drive
- Production of sperm
Low testosterone in men can also produce other symptoms such as:
Symptoms of low testosterone include:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Decreased muscle mass
- Enlarged breast tissue
Common causes of low testosterone:
- Testicular injury
- Chronic illness
- Chemotherapy or steroid use
How to Treat Low Libido?
Lifestyle Changes That Help in Restoring your sexual desire
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Get regular, quality sleep
- Reduce alcohol and substance use
- Manage stress through exercise or therapy
Medical Treatment
Depending on the underlying cause, a doctor may recommend:
- Hormone therapy (e.g., testosterone replacement)
- Medication adjustments
- Treatment for underlying medical or psychological conditions
- Couples therapy or sex therapy
Final Thoughts on Managing Low Libido
Low libido is a common, treatable condition influenced by various factors.
If a decrease in sexual desire is persistent and distressing, consult a healthcare professional.
Early intervention can improve both your sexual health and overall well-being.
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Low libido is common and often linked to stress, fatigue, hormonal changes, or major life events like pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. It can affect both men and women at different stages of life.
There’s no instant fix for libido, but regular sleep, exercise, reduced stress, and physical intimacy (like kissing or touching) may help. A healthy lifestyle can help increase sexual desire naturally over time.
Yes, Men with erectile dysfunction may still experience sexual desire. Impotence affects erection, not the ability to feel aroused or interested in sex.
No, Viagra doesn’t directly boost libido. It improves blood flow for better erections, which may enhance sexual confidence, but it doesn’t increase sexual desire itself.
For women, medications like Flibanserin and Bremelanotide are approved to boost sexual desire. For men, treatment focuses on addressing erectile dysfunction rather than directly increasing libido.