Reduced Libido or Lack of Sex Drive in Women

There’s plenty of information out there when it comes to male sex drive. Viagra® or some other type of “enhancer” are advertised frequently in magazines and commercials run regularly on prime-time TV.

Women often have issues with libido or sex drive too, but the problem is often brushed off as women not being as sexually driven as men. Nothing could be further from the truth. Women have just as deep a need and desire for sex as men.

Just as a man’s sex drive decreases with age, there are some things that will reduce the female libido or sex drive. Fortunately, they are all treatable!

Here are some of the causes of reduced libido or sex drive in women:

• Hormones – As women enter their perimenopause and menopause, hormones begin to fluctuate wildly. These hormonal imbalances are often accompanied by other symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings and weight gain. Women often just don’t feel “sexy” when experiencing these symptoms. It is interesting to note that females (human) need their own pheromones to feel turned on. Lack of pheromones makes it more difficult to be in the “mood for sex.”
• Physical Changes – As women age and get closer to the years of menopause, changes take place in the vagina due to lowered levels of estrogen. This may cause thinning of the mucus membranes, along with a loss of elasticity in the walls of the vagina and an uncomfortable feeling of dryness. This can cause pain during intercourse, so a woman may begin to dread sex because of the pain.
• Daily stresses – Stress is one of the major causes of lack of sex drive or reduced libido in women. Stress robs the body of many of the essential building blocks it needs to produce estrogen and testosterone. Both estrogen and testosterone are a necessary for a healthy sex drive. When over-stressed, a body will choose to try to protect itself and conserve energy rather than seek sexual pleasure.
• Emotional issues with spouse/partner – Sometimes the stress of a relationship that isn’t working dampens sexual desire. Often this happens after several years into the relationship when a woman enters perimenopause or menopause. Her feelings about “how life should be” begin to change. Behavior that was once tolerated is now resented, making it harder to enjoy a healthy sex life.
• Poor nutrition – Quick weight loss diets and/or very low-fat diets are bad for a woman’s sex drive. The body needs lipids (found in fats) to make hormones, including testosterone which can boost a woman’s sex drive.
• Social norms – Some women grow up with the belief that once you reach “a certain age,” your sex life is over. It’s no longer socially appropriate to consider yourself a sexual being. This mindset will have an adverse effect on a woman’s libido or sex drive.
• Marital status – Sometimes being single and the whole prospect of dating is just too overwhelming. So some single women avoid it and give up having sex.

For women, rediscovering their sex drive isn’t as easy as taking a small pill a few hours before intercourse as men do. However, it’s not impossible to regain your libido and enjoy sex with all the exuberance that you did before.

Here are some tips that may help:

• Have an honest talk with your doctor – Don’t automatically assume that hormone replacement therapy is going to be your best bet if you are perimenopausal or menopausal. See your doctor to discuss options and rule out other possible problems.
• Relax – Stress is a major player in wreaking havoc with sex drive. Explore the many ways available to reduce stress in your life. Exercise, meditate, pray, write in a journal, take time each day for YOU, go to the salon once a week for a pedicure, take a walk in the park, see a counselor, take a kick-boxing class. You get the idea. Find ways to relax, even if it’s for ten minutes a day.
• Address the physical changes in your body – If you’re suffering from vaginal dryness and discomfort, use vitamin E suppositories a couple of times a week, or go to the pharmacy and purchase a personal lubricant made especially for helping with this problem.
• See a nutritionist – Make sure your diet is correct for your needs. Also, ask about vitamin, mineral and/or herbal supplements that may help.
• Be sexy, feel sexy – So, you might not be 20 any longer. You can still be sexy and hot. Go to the makeup counter at your favorite store and learn some new makeup tricks. Freshen your hairstyle, put on a sexy fragrance and light some candles. It’s amazing what wonders small changes like these can produce.
• Communicate – Your partner probably has no idea what’s going on. Be open and honest. Let your partner know what you need to help things along. Maybe you need some time and understanding until the hormones or supplements kick in. Maybe you need to see a couple’s counselor. Do your best to communicate openly.

Sex drive is an important part of human life. We are meant to enjoy sex well into our golden years. If you are suffering from a waning libido, there are steps you can take to refresh your desire for sex.

Visit our bookstore to find books on women’s sex drive.

Related posts:

1. Herbal Remedies to Boost Fertility
2. What Causes Male Impotence?
3. Stress Reduction Tips for Women
4. Do Women and Men Need Different Nutritional Supplements?