Find out the factors that can influence a person’s libido, symptoms, possible causes and treatments, and how women’s sex drive changes.
Libido refers to a person’s sexual drive or desire to engage in sexual activity. There is no right or wrong level of sex drive as it varies differently among individuals. It is influenced by a couple of factors including age, hormones, physical and mental health, relationship status, and even stress. These factors can have an impact on a person’s libido at different times in a person’s life.
A person’s sexual desire can be classified into two: Spontaneous desire and Responsive desire.
Spontaneous desire is a sudden feeling or sensation experienced at random. While responsive desire requires some kind of stimulation [it could be visual, physical, sound, memory, or scent] to evoke sexual desire.
There is no scientific norm when it comes to an individual’s sex drive as it is normal for a person’s libido to fluctuate over time. After the initial “honeymoon phase” of a relationship, it’s common for individuals to experience a decrease in libido. However, if you are desiring sex much less than you usually do, you might want to figure out the sudden drop in your desire for sex.
Low Libido
Lack of sexual fantasies and no desire for sexual activity are possible symptoms of low libido. The potential causes of these symptoms include anxiety, alcohol, medications, hormonal pills, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, stress, trauma, and underlying health conditions.
It is important to note that low libido is not a problem unless it affects a person’s quality of life.
Treatment Options:
- Sex therapy/relationship counselling
- Vaginal lubricant to relieve dryness or discomfort
- Stress management
- Switching medication [if the current one contributes to low sex drive]
- Lifestyle changes [exercise, yoga, healthier diet]
- Eliminating unhealthy habits [excessive alcohol, smoking]
High Libido
Having regular sexual thoughts, and feeling turned on often, are symptoms of high libido. A high sex drive could be caused by hormones [high testosterone can be responsible for high libido] and a healthy lifestyle.
An individual’s libido can spike at the beginning of a relationship but it could be a cause for concern if it spikes suddenly with no known cause. If it puts yourself or other people in danger, then it should be treated as soon as possible.
Possible Treatment Options:
- Medication
- Support groups
- Therapy [sex therapy or cognitive behavioural therapy]
A Look at Women’s Sex Drive through their 20s, 30s, and 40s
The 20s
During their 20s, women tend to have a strong sex drive because their biological drive to reproduce is at its peak and their fertility is highest during this period. In addition, the levels of testosterone, which can boost libido, are still relatively high at this stage. However, it’s worth noting that certain types of birth control or hormonal pills may decrease a woman’s sex drive.
The 30s
As women enter their 30s, their testosterone levels begin to decrease, which may lead to a decrease in their sex drive. Stress is another factor that can contribute to this, as it can suppress the production of testosterone while increasing cortisol levels. Additionally, hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle at this stage can also impact a woman’s libido.
The 40s and Beyond
In the 5-10 years leading up to menopause, known as perimenopause, a woman’s ovaries gradually decrease their production of estrogen until menopause occurs. This decline in estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause can lead to a decrease in sex drive, as well as reduced natural vaginal lubrication and altered sensations during sexual activity.
