Decreased libido

What is decreased libido?

Decreased libido, or low sex drive, refers to a lower interest in or desire for sexual activity. It is a common issue that can affect both men and women and has many potential causes.

Some key things to know about decreased libido:

• It is considered decreased libido if there is a noticeable sustained change from a person's previous level of sexual desire or arousal.


• Many different factors can contribute, including hormonal changes, medications, health conditions, stress, tiredness, relationship issues, or mental health disorders like depression or anxiety.


• Treatments depend on the underlying cause but can include lifestyle changes, counseling, sex therapy, hormone therapy, medications, or treatment of underlying medical issues.

So how do you know if you may have abnormally low libido? Here are some common signs and symptoms:

• You rarely or never initiate sex or intimacy with your partner


• You almost never have sexual thoughts or fantasies


• Sex feels like a chore rather than something pleasurable


• Your ability to get aroused or orgasm is impaired


• You experience vaginal dryness (women) or difficulty getting/keeping erections (men)

If you've noticed sustained changes like these for several months, it's a good idea to make an appointment to discuss your libido with your doctor. Blood tests can check for hormone imbalances, and they may refer you to a specialist like an endocrinologist, gynecologist/urologist, or sex therapist.

"At Renewed Balance Clinic, we specialize in getting to the root causes of libido issues for both men and women. We thoroughly evaluate hormone levels along with other factors and develop customized treatment plans. Contact us today for a consultation!"

Some self-care tips that may help improve libido include:

• Reducing stress through relaxation techniques, exercise, improving sleep hygiene


• Eating a nutritious diet and avoiding crash diets


• Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol intake


• Ensuring you make time to be intimate with your partner

While temporary dips in sex drive are normal, an ongoing diminished interest in sex may indicate an underlying issue. Getting to the root cause with your doctor and adopting positive lifestyle changes can help you restore satisfying desire and bedroom performance. Reach out for help - you don't have to just live with low libido.