Reasons Behind Low Sex Drive In Women

It’s only in hushed voices that we talk about the sexual desires of a woman in our country. Society loves to believe that women are frigid dolls. As a result, women neither feel comfortable when it comes to talking about their sex drive – or the lack of it. Yes, sadly enough, women face a lack of sex drive at some point in their lives, but they don’t talk about it. If you’re facing something similar, here’s why it could be happening. It’s time to talk about the reasons behind low sex drive so that you can take the necessary steps.

Reasons behind Low Sex Drive in Women

There are several reasons behind low sex drive. These reasons can be physical, hormonal, psychological, or relationship-based. Let’s take a quick look:

Physical Reason:

Sex drive can be lowered because of ailments, physical changes, and even medications. Physical reasons behind low sex drive can include:

• Sexual problems: Pain during intercourse or lack of orgasm can lower the desire for intimacy. Dry vaginal tissues during menopause or vaginal infections can result in uncomfortable sex.

• Illnesses: Diseases like high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, coronary artery or neurological diseases, endocrine disorders like hypothyroidism, cancer, etc. can reduce sex drive.

• Medications: Prescription drugs for treating symptoms of depression, anxiety, cancer, etc., can often lead to lower sex drive because of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

• Alcohol/drug/smoking abuse: While smoking and using recreational drugs and alcohol can set the mood in small doses, their abuse can dull arousal.

• Surgery: Surgery, especially of breasts, genital tract, or endocrine glands, and of course, childbirth, can affect the sexual desires and function in a woman.

• Exhaustion: Physical exhaustion resulting from age, tiring jobs, taking care of the house and children, often contributes to low sex drive. Illnesses, surgery, or childbirth can even cause fatigue.

Hormonal Changes:

Hormonal levels can change due to various reasons. Be it the monthly fluctuations before and after menstruations, or during pregnancy or menopause, your desire for sex can be affected. Hormonal changes can take place during –

• Menopause: Drop of estrogen levels while transitioning to menopause can also lead to a drop in libido, though many many women continue to enjoy a satisfying sex life during and after menopause.

• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Hormonal changes during pregnancy, childbirth, and breast-feeding periods can hamper sex drive.

• Endocrine disorders: Endocrine disorders like hypothyroidism can cause hormonal changes that can lead to a lack of sexual desire.

• Medical causes: Medical conditions, from PCOS to cancer, can cause hormonal changes that will leave you feeling uninterested in physical intimacy.

Psychological Causes:

Your mind, mood, and subconscious thoughts have a significant role to play in your sexual desires. Psychological causes of low libido include:

• Mental health issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, etc.

• Stress generated by family issues, financial problems, work tensions, etc.

• Body image: lack of acceptance towards one’s own physical features.

• Low self-esteem because of societal expectations.

• History of physical or sexual abuse.

• Traumatic memories of sexual experiences or encounters.

• Post-pregnancy depression and the constant pressures of taking perfect care of the newborn, along with body image issues and fear of future.

Relationship Problems

Several women feel attracted to someone with whom they are emotionally close. Lack of such closeness, along with relationship problems, can lead to decreased interest in sexual closeness. Relationship problems can include:

• Emotional distance with the partner.

• Unresolved conflicts.

• Trust issues.

• Stressful conditions at home.

• Lack of communication of sexual preferences.

• General lack of communication.

While physical and hormonal issues can be addressed by speaking to a gynecologist and the specialist who is treating your ailments, psychological issues and relationship problems need counseling and proper guidance by a psychiatrist. Now that you know what can be the causes of low sex drive, it’s time to take the steps to fix the problem.