Let's talk low libido

No matter sex tablet for women what’s causing your low sex drive, there are ways to improve it.

6. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

Schedule an appointment at Virtua Sexual Wellness and Pelvic Health or call 856-247-7435. Discover expert insights, inspiring stories, health tips, and more by exploring the content below! It’s normal to lose interest in sex from time to time, especially as you age. In fact, it may not be a big deal to you if you’re comfortable with it. But if a dip in your libido, also known as sex drive or desire for sex, is affecting your daily life — or causing a rift with a partner — know there are ways to get things going again.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Everyone has a different level of sexual desire, but you’re the expert on your body. Don’t want to have sex as often as you once did Don’t think about sex or lack sexual fantasies Have trouble getting or staying aroused or having an orgasm If these changes are causing you stress or creating strain on your relationship with your partner, you’re not alone. “Low sex drive in women is common and can be caused by many things,” explains Sabrina Whitehurst, MD, OB-GYN at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital. The first step to improving your sexual health? If things are awry with your physical or emotional health, for example, your desire for sex is likely to take a hit.

3. Exercise

“Finding the root cause can lead to effective treatment — often, it’s as simple as changing a medication you’re taking,” says Dr. Whitehurst. Here are some common causes for low libido in women: Most birth control pills contain the hormones estrogen and progestin. If you’re taking a pill with both, it may lower your level of testosterone — the hormone that drives your sexual desire. Beyond the pill, hormones are also found in other kinds of birth control that could affect your sex drive, including Depo-Provera®, the vaginal ring, implants and some IUDs. Your primary care doctor or OB-GYN can help identify any physical factors that may be causing your low libido. Lifestyle changes, including healthy stress management, smoking cessation or decreased alcohol use. Mindfulness techniques may also help you manage stress and stay in the moment. Medication changes, either by tweaking existing medications or prescribing new ones. Medication can also help you manage any underlying medical conditions, including symptoms of perimenopause or menopause.

• Low libido may be a symptom of underlying health issues.
• Regular intimacy fosters emotional bonds.
• Support groups can help address sexual concerns.
• Proper foreplay increases female arousal.
• Herbal teas like red clover may influence libido.
• Personal grooming can boost confidence and desire.
• Some women find that humor decreases sexual tensions.
• Age-related libido decline is natural but manageable.
• Anxiety or fear around sex diminishes desire.
• Education about sexuality can empower women.

Therapy — either as an individual or as a couple — so you can work toward healing and managing any personal or relationship issues that may be causing your low sex drive.

• Physical activity increases blood flow to genitals.
• Women’s sexual desire may increase with intimacy.
• Vitamin E is believed to support hormonal health.
• Cervical health can influence sexual pleasure.
• Emotional intimacy enhances sexual desire.
• Good communication about boundaries improves sex.
• Chronic fatigue reduces interest in intimacy.
• Mindful breathing can heighten arousal.
• Women should explore personal preferences.
• Maintaining individual identity supports healthy libido.

“If your low libido is bothering you, it’s worth talking to your doctor about,” says Dr. Whitehurst.

Find a gynecologist at Geisinger Severe periods? It may be endometriosis What causes yeast infections?

Is Low Libido in Women Normal?

Your doctor, primary care physician or OB-GYN may be able to adjust or change your birth control method or prescription to help you. Several medicines are known to decrease desire for sex, including SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). SSRIs work by raising the levels of serotonin in your body, making you feel more calm and less anxious. Other drugs that may cut your desire are some medications used to treat high blood pressure, seizures or cancer, or those that block the effects of testosterone. “There are other medications and physical factors, like an underlying medical condition, that may lower your sex drive,” adds Dr.

4. Connection and Communication

Whitehurst. “Your primary care physician or OB-GYN can suggest new prescriptions or dosages and help you manage any medical conditions that may be impacting your well-being.” If you’re pregnant, just had a baby or are breastfeeding, your sexual desire may be low due to changing hormones. “Fatigue, changes to your body and the stress of being a new parent may also cause vardenafil 5 mg a dip in your libido,” adds Dr. Whitehurst. “This is normal, especially for the first few months after giving birth.” As you age, your body makes less of key hormones.

How can I increase my libido quickly?

Even before you stop menstruating you may have symptoms from lower hormone levels — a phase called perimenopause. This phase can last anywhere from 2 to 10 years, but around 4 years is more common. During perimenopause and menopause, you may have less desire for sex, or you may have trouble getting or staying aroused. Another common issue is vaginal dryness, which can lead to uncomfortable sex, or you may have trouble holding urine. “If you’re feeling pain during sex, or decreased sex drive is causing you concern, your doctor can help,” says Dr. Why do Older Women Have a Reduced Libido? Is Reduced Libido a Matter of Concern? Elderly women generally have a lower sexual desire or libido because of age-related physiological, psychological, and social transition. Although libido reduces gradually with age in both men and women, women are two to three times more susceptible to such decline. A reduction in sexual drive commonly occurs in women in their late 40s or 50s, and it may be associated with menopause-related changes in blood estrogen level.

What can cause a woman's libido to drop?

Understanding adequate sexual stimulation—and the effects of age-related changes in sexual desire at various life stages—can unlock new opportunities to have a healthy sex life. At Virtua Sexual Wellness and Pelvic Health, we collaborate with patients to address emotional factors in their relationships. Psychotherapy or couples sex therapy can be beneficial to modify existing thoughts, behaviors, or emotions, or to improve communication between partners. We make it easy to talk about and learn how to add sexual aids or toys that may also improve your sex drive. Clitoral stimulators or vibrators can enhance your arousal, and topical feminine massage oil or compounds can increase blood flow and genital nerve sensitivity.

During the cycle, ovulation and menstruation

Specific nutritional supplements, traditional or bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, or anti-anxiety medications like buspirone may help increase your sex drive. Additionally, two medications are available specifically for women with HSDD: Addyi (flibanserin) and Vyleesi (bremelanotide). Systemic testosterone has also been shown to increase desire in women who are peri- and post-menopausal, though it's not FDA approved at this time. Sometimes, a medication you take for another condition can influence your libido. In that case, we'll consider replacing it with medications that don't affect it, if available.

Physical causes

With so many life-changing treatment options to improve your sex drive, you shouldn't struggle in silence. A sexual dysfunction specialist can work with you to identify the root cause and develop a tailored treatment plan. No matter which treatment path you choose, you can experience tremendous relief in having a supportive space to express your concerns and make positive changes to your libido. We understand that sexual dysfunction influences both physical and emotional health and, fortunately, most cases are treatable. Our goal is to help you restore your sexual well-being, as this can profoundly improve your relationships, self-esteem, and overall quality of life. Women who experience an abrupt menopause due to ovariectomy or chemotherapy generally show a greater reduction in libido than those who experience natural menopause. A sudden fall in blood levels of estrogen and testosterone due to abrupt menopause may be responsible for this. In natural menopause, a reduction in estrogen and testosterone levels often leads to thinning of vaginal lining, loss of vaginal elasticity, muscle tone, and lubrication, atrophy of the clitoris and vagina, and reduced sensation.

• Libido can be suppressed by hormonal imbalances.
• Social factors and cultural attitudes influence desire.
• Libido peaks during certain life stages.
• Open relationships may have different impact on desire.
• Physical touch and affection can stimulate libido.
• Medical conditions like thyroid issues affect desire.
• Nutritional deficiencies can diminish libido.
• Women with higher self-esteem tend to report higher desire.
• Overcoming past trauma can positively influence libido.
• Mindfulness can help women reconnect with sexuality.

All these events collectively cause vaginal discomfort, pain in pelvic area, and difficulty penetration, leading to a reduced libido. Psychological factors like negative social perceptions about age-related physical changes may also significantly affect women’s sexual desire. Women who stay positive about the aging process and maintain self-confidence can even experience an increased libido.

Frequently asked questions

Whitehurst. “Don’t be afraid to speak up. When you don’t feel good — whether because of untreated anxiety or depression, high stress, poor body image or low self-esteem — sex is likely the last thing on your mind. “And if you’re coping with stressors by smoking, drinking alcohol or using other substances, your physical health will also be worse as a result,” adds Dr. Whitehurst.

2. Consider Prescription Medications

If your mental health is taking a toll on your overall well-being, it’s time to talk to your doctor. “A therapist can help you manage any mental health conditions and teach you healthy ways to cope with stressors,” says Dr. Whitehurst. It’s not surprising that sexual trauma can impact your desire for sex. But studies are also finding women who had other kinds of childhood trauma tend to have less libido in later life, as well as other health issues.

What is the best natural libido booster?

Trauma can include being physically or emotionally abused, witnessing violence or having significant instability when parents divorced or were incarcerated. You didn’t choose to endure these events, but you can choose to seek therapy or other support options and build a healthier future. For many women, emotional closeness is essential for intimacy. So having problems with your partner could cause a lower-than-normal sex drive. A lack of connection, unresolved conflicts or trust issues are all good reasons to seek marriage counseling or couple’s therapy. In contrast, women who perceive aging signs as unattractive, poor body image, and loss of feminitiy often suffer from reduced sexual desire or drive.

Emotional intimacy is another important factor that can affect a woman’s libido.

The evolution of libido in women

With guidance, you can work together to resolve the issues — and focus on building your relationship back up. “Counseling can also be helpful to communicate and decrease stress if you or your partner have medical issues like fatigue, chronic pain or erectile dysfunction,” says Dr. Whitehurst. When the problem is simply lack of time or effort, set aside time for connection and intimacy. It can go a long way toward spicing up your love life. Having a partner with erectile dysfunction or unavailability of spousal or intimate partner can significantly affect libido in women.