4 Causes of Female Low Sexual Drive

by | Oct 16, 2015

Low Sex Drive

Low sex drive (LSD) can simultaneously affect many parts of our lives and be caused by many parts of our lives. Different stressors, medical issues, hormone changes, and other problems can all contribute to a female low sex drive. If you’re experiencing any changes in your sex drive or your partner’s sex drive, you may consider these causes of female low sex drive and what you can do about them.

Medical Issues or Medication

Chronic conditions like depression, cancer, muscle pain or joint pain such as arthritis, anxiety, and other health problems won’t always put you in the mood for sex. In addition to any health problems you may be experiencing—whether ongoing or temporary—is medication. Certain medications like antidepressants can lower your sex drive. While there are many different medications out there with different side effects, you’ll need to speak with your doctor if your medication is hindering your sex drive. In some cases, this cannot be helped, such as with cancer or perhaps anxiety, but be aware that medical conditions as well as their accompanying medications may be causing your female low sex drive. While many times you’ll simply have to wait for your condition to get better in order to experience a normal sex drive, there are certain treatments you can consider, especially if your condition is chronic.

Hormone Changes or Imbalances

Hormones play a huge role in the desire to engage in sex. Our hormones fluctuate and change for a variety of reasons, but if you’re experiencing any symptoms of a hormonal imbalance, you should get checked by your doctor first to ensure that this isn’t causing your female low sex drive. One of the common hormone changers for women is birth control. Birth control lowers the level of hormones that increase your sex drive and can change your natural balance of hormones. If you’re going through life changes such as menopause, pregnancy, or breastfeeding, your hormones will change too. Women going through menopause may experience a decreased desire for sex or experience painful sex. Hormone changes during and after pregnancy and during breastfeeding may bring about a lack of interest in sex.

Life Stressors and Fatigue

When there are stressful situations, a ton of things to do, or problems going on in your life, it’s hard for some women to cultivate the desire to have sex. Life stressors such as conceiving and having a baby, breastfeeding and caring for a child, raising children, stress at work, and overall tiredness can really hinder a woman’s sex drive. Stress can affect loads of health problems and our immune systems, so it’s no surprise that stress can also affect sex drive. When a woman is stressed, dealing with life-changing situations, or just plain fatigued, sex can become a relatively low priority or desire. It’s important to manage your stress, take time for yourself, and take a look at what’s causing your stress and fatigue. Whether they are factors that can be helped such as taking on too many projects at work or factors that can’t be helped such as raising a child, be sure to manage stress as best you can.

Sexual Problems or Relationship Problems

Sexual problems can cause a low female sex drive, such as not being able to orgasm at all or infrequently, or experiencing pain during sex. These problems do not make for enjoyable sexual experiences with your partner and can hinder your desire to participate in intercourse. Talk with your doctor if you’re experiencing any sexual health problems and what you can do about them.

Relationship problems can also put stress on your sex drive and cause female low sex drive. When you don’t feel loved or appreciated in the relationship or have body image issues, this can make you feel less attractive and less like having sex. A healthy relationship is one in which both partners are heard and appreciated. If you’re experiencing any relationship problems, talk with your partner, or talk with a therapist, but don’t let those problems go unchecked—they’re detrimental to your relationship and your sex drive.

You don’t have to live with the symptoms of female low sex drive. Consider these causes of a female low sex drive and talk with your doctor about what you can do about them. Being aware of and managing your stress, medications, hormone changes, life stressors, and relationship problems can help you regain control of your sexual desire.