Sex is supposed to be natural, pleasurable, and desirable. Yet 12% of women are distressed because they have problems with sexual desire (libido), arousal, and orgasm. Of those, low libido is by far the most common.
When you need help with low libido, you can turn to Chetanna Okasi, MD, at Women’s Wellness MD. She evaluates your health, identifies the cause of the problem, and recommends treatment to restore your desire for sex.
Women lose their desire to have sex for a multitude of reasons. There are so many possible causes that it’s no surprise numerous women struggle with this problem. Here are some of the most common reasons you may have a low libido.
Low estrogen levels after menopause (or for any reason at any age) can wipe out your libido. Hormone imbalances also cause vaginal changes that make sex painful, which can significantly alter your desire for sex.
Women also produce a small amount of testosterone. Low testosterone affects your libido and ability to become aroused.
Many health conditions can diminish your sex drive. A few examples include:
Certain medications can also lower your libido and interfere with pleasurable sex.
Your mental well-being directly affects your desire for sex. Any of the following may dampen your libido:
Life experiences like sexual abuse also influence your current relationship and sexual function, even if they were long ago and you think they’re in the past.
Sexual dysfunction is a legitimate health condition that includes the following:
Sexual pain disorders include vaginismus (the vaginal muscles contract when you try to have sex) and dyspareunia (pain during intercourse). Lack of arousal, inability to have an orgasm, and pain disorders may all contribute to a low sex drive.
These sexual problems are usually caused by one or more of the concerns listed above (hormone imbalances and physical or psychological conditions).
A low libido can have a significant impact on your life, even if you’re not especially distressed by the loss of desire. Sex is an essential part of maintaining a connection with your partner.
Having intercourse also does more than provide sexual pleasure. You gain health benefits because sex triggers neurotransmitters that help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve your sleep (to name a few of the benefits).
So, when to seek help? You should always seek help for a low libido when it’s upsetting, distressing, or causing problems in your relationship. It’s also important to consult your healthcare provider if your libido doesn’t improve.
A low libido may signal an underlying health problem that needs treatment. Chronic health conditions like heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure may affect your libido long before other symptoms appear.
If you’re 50 or older, chances are your low libido is due to fluctuating hormones as you approach menopause or low estrogen because you’ve already reached that stage.
Your libido won’t improve without treatment like bioidentical hormone replacement therapy if low estrogen is the cause.
You’re not alone if you’re uncomfortable talking about issues like the loss of sexual desire, not being able to orgasm, or pain during sex. Most women have a hard time sharing such personal details.
We make it easier for you because we’re women. We understand. We know your challenges and specialize in helping women overcome problems in their sex lives.
Call the office in Columbia or Greenbelt, Maryland, today, or request an appointment online. We’re here to talk and help you regain a satisfying sex life.
