How Women Can Boost Their Sexual Desire

Clifford says.

Can Menopause Cause Low Libido?

Clifford. Working with a mental health professional can be extremely valuable for improving desire, Dr. Clifford says. First off, therapy can help normalize low libido, easing any guilt or shame you may feel about it, she says. If your low libido has a psychological or emotional basis, therapy can help you figure out the root cause and also work through any mental health issues impacting your sex drive, such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, or a history of abuse. This 100 sex tablet could be a vaginal tablet, cream, or a ring that goes into the vagina and secretes the hormone.

• Libido can fluctuate due to menstrual cycle phases.
• Certain medications might lower female sexual desire.
• Hormonal therapies can help restore libido in some women.
• Psychological factors like depression impact libido.
• Body image issues can decrease sexual desire.
• Herbal supplements such as ginseng may enhance libido.
• Physical intimacy fosters emotional and sexual connection.
• Sexual fantasies can be a natural part of desire.
• Lifestyle factors like smoking reduce libido.
• Chronic illnesses may negatively affect female libido.

Non-estrogen options, such as Intrarosa (prasterone) are also available. The goal of hormone therapy for the vaginal symptoms of menopause is to decrease dryness and discomfort, making sex more comfortable.

Topical testosterone, while not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat low libido in women, is sometimes prescribed off-label to postmenopausal women who are concerned about sex drive, per the Mayo Clinic.

Two medications are FDA-approved for treating low desire in premenopausal women, Dr.

Sexual Challenges

You may also benefit from couples therapy, or more specifically, sex therapy. “There are sex therapists that do wonders for couples,” Dr. Clifford says. Working with a pro specializing in this type of therapy will help you learn to communicate better, feel more connected, and ultimately, improve intimacy. If your low libido is related to perimenopause, menopause or the vaginal dryness that can accompany these transitions, your doctor may prescribe a form of local estrogen, Dr. Clifford says. Addyi (flibanserin) is a once-daily pill, and Vyleesi (bremelanotide) is a shot that you give yourself before sexual activity. Both work to increase libido by altering certain chemical messengers in the brain. In clinical trials, these drugs have shown only modest improvements, and they both come with potential side effects, like upset stomach, drowsiness, and fatigue. Still, they may be worth discussing with your doctor.

Practice stress management

Anxiety and depression can make it difficult to get in the mood, and common medications for treating them—most notably, SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors— are also known for reducing sex drive. Having low self-confidence or just overall feeling negative about your body can cause your libido to plummet. Dr. Clifford notes that this can happen at any point throughout life, particularly during pregnancy and postpartum. “Some women feel very sexual in pregnancy, but many do have a diminished libido not just because of hormonal changes but also body image issues,” she says.

Medications for HSDD

Breastfeeding can also affect how you feel about your body, turning your breasts from a source of pleasure into nourishment for your baby. Additionally, surgery on the tadalista professional breasts or genitals can also affect how you feel about your body and your desire for sex, according to Dr. Clifford. Some medications are well known for affecting libido, including SSRIs for depression and anxiety. Others, like hypertension medication, hormonal birth control, anti-seizure meds, and opioids, have also been linked to changes in sex drive, though research is a bit mixed, Dr. If you’re on a medication known to affect libido, or you suspect your med is having an impact, your doctor can help you find an alternative. For example, since dampened sex drive is a common side effect with SSRIs, your doctor may work with your psychiatrist to determine another way to treat your depression. Other types of antidepressants, like Wellbutrin (bupropion), Trintellix (vortioxetine), and Remeron (mirtazapine), tend to have less of an effect on libido.

• 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.

In fact, according to research on bupropion and sexual dysfunction in women published in Current Neuropharmacology, this medication may help improve libido in women with HSDD.

Symptoms of Low Libido in Women

Clifford. Past sexual abuse or trauma from an intimate relationship can also deeply affect your trust and sexual desire in a new relationship, even if you do feel safe and cared for now, she adds. There are several formal medical terms for low libido: When it doesn’t cause you distress, it’s known as female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD); when lack of desire does cause emotional distress, it’s called hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), per the National Library of Medicine. When you have a combination of the two, it's known as female sexual arousal/interest disorder (FSAID). A diagnosis involves a comprehensive evaluation by your OB/GYN, Dr.

3. Try Supplements and Herbal Aids

Chuang says. “This may include discussing medical history, conducting a physical examination, and assessing potential psychological factors.” Your provider may also order blood tests to check hormone levels or identify any underlying medical conditions that could affect your arousal. The best fix for low libido will depend on the cause. Depending on why your sex drive has tanked, the following treatments may be beneficial. Keep in mind that several factors may contribute to your flattened desire, so you may need to try a combination of treatments to feel a notable difference, according to Dr. Switching up your daily habits may be enough to improve your sex drive, per the Mayo Clinic. Exercise can improve your physical and mental health and body image and boost your mood and libido. Stress management techniques, like meditation, yoga, listening to music, and getting more sleep, can reduce the weight on your shoulders and help you feel more in the mood. Mixing up your sex routine—trying new positions, asking for more foreplay, adding lubricants, and even just talking openly about sex with your partner—may also help. Since smoking cigarettes, using drugs, and drinking too much alcohol can dampen your sex drive, quitting those things may make a difference in your level of desire (and boost your health to boot), according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Tips to combat low libido

Clifford says. Smoking cigarettes, drinking a lot of alcohol, and taking recreational drugs can all affect sexual arousal. Being sleep-deprived can make sexual activity feel like the last thing you want (or have the energy) to do. Similarly, stress can be an absolute mood killer. When you’ve got too much on your plate and mind, “by the time it’s bedtime, the last thing you want to do is have sex, and that’s normal,” Dr.

Hormone changes

Clifford says. Sex can be painful for multiple reasons, explains Dr. Clifford, including hormonal changes that cause dryness or health conditions like endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Sexual dysfunction and inability to orgasm can also make sexual activity less appealing to you, and therefore, you stop desiring it. If there’s relationship friction—maybe you and your partner have been fighting a lot, or you feel a lack of connection, distrust, or are having communication issues—chances are, you won’t feel the closeness that you need to want to be intimate, according to Dr. Low libido is way more common—and treatable—than you might think.

• Libido varies between individuals, no “normal” level.
• Chronic stress is a major libido suppressor.
• Using lubricants can enhance sexual comfort.
• Being comfortable in your body promotes desire.
• Open discussion about needs improves intimacy.
• Some women report increased desire during pregnancy.
• Fatigue from work reduces interest in sex.
• Support from partners enhances libido.
• Regular health check-ups can detect issues affecting desire.
• Sexual self-exploration can boost libido awareness.

If your lack of desire is bringing you down or causing tension in your relationship, talk with your doctor. Your ob/gyn is a good place to start. They can help you address any underlying issues, recommend lifestyle changes, and explore other treatment options, like medications and therapy, referring you to other practitioners as needed. While many things can lower your libido, that means there’s a lot you can do to boost it, reconnect with your sexual side, and feel the heat again.

Treat vaginal discomfort

Physical health, mental well-being, hormonal fluctuations, relationship dynamics, life experiences, and stress levels can all affect whether or not someone is in the mood, Dr. Chuang says. Some of the most common causes of low libido in women include: “Hormonal imbalances, such as decreased estrogen levels during perimenopause or menopause, and the changes that happen during pregnancy and in the postpartum period, can impact sexual desire,” says Dr. Chuang. Low estrogen can not only dampen desire, but it can also cause vaginal dryness, which leads to painful sex.

Next steps:

And if sex no longer feels good, you’re naturally not going to want it. Plenty of chronic health conditions (physical and mental) can affect your libido, both directly and indirectly. For example, hypertension (high blood pressure) has been linked to decreased sex drive, but it’s hard to know if it’s due to the underlying disease or the medications people take to treat it, Dr. Clifford says. Diabetes, cancer, coronary artery disease, and neurological diseases are also linked to lower sex drive, per the Mayo Clinic. A chronic low sex drive is a sign of hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

• Estrogen levels influence female libido significantly.
• Regular exercise boosts sexual desire.
• Adequate sleep enhances hormonal balance and libido.
• Stress reduction can improve sexual interest.
• Aromatherapy with essential oils may stimulate arousal.
• Communication with partner increases sexual satisfaction.
• Adequate hydration is vital for overall sexual health.
• Consuming a balanced diet supports hormone function.
• Lesbian or bisexual women may experience different libido patterns.
• Age can affect libido, often decreasing after menopause.

Discover what causes low libido and how expert help can transform your sex life. By Elizabeth Kusturiss, MSN, CRNP, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, Virtua Sexual Wellness and Pelvic Health From movie scenes to song lyrics to advertising, we’re inundated with images of couples who seem eager for sex, anytime, anywhere.

Why should you talk to an expert about low libido?

Low libido is relatively common, Dr. Chuang says, with studies suggesting that it affects one in three women—or about 33%—at some point in their lives. There’s not a lot of data on the topic, though, she adds. Some people feel embarrassed about their lack of desire, so it’s typically underreported. Numbers aside, it’s normal for women to experience fluctuations in sex drive throughout their lives, Dr.

Emotional connection strengthens sexual desire

Clifford says. Low libido can manifest in numerous ways. Per the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms may include: Lack of interest in sexual activity, including masturbation Lack of interest in sexual activity, including masturbation Difficulty getting aroused or experiencing pleasure during sexual activities tadapox tablets Difficulty getting aroused or experiencing pleasure during sexual activities Sadness or concern about your lack of sexual desire Sadness or concern about your lack of sexual desire “Low libido can have a significant impact on a person’s mental health as it may lead to feelings of frustration, inadequacy, guilt, or shame,” Dr. Chuang adds. Multiple factors impact a woman’s sex drive. This is one of the biggest myths in our society—that a consistently strong sexual desire is the norm in a loving relationship.