Where’d my libido go? Causes of low sex drive in women

For postmenopausal care, look for a physician with NAMS (North American Menopause Society) or NCMP (Certified Menopause Practitioner) certification. Remember, you have a right to a healthy sexual life. If your provider doesn’t ask, feel free to start the conversation – or find a provider who will discuss the variety of options with you. The Female Sexual Health Program at University Hospitals is dedicated to addressing all of the sexual health concerns women may have throughout their lifetime. Our primary goal is to provide a unique and open environment of care where women feel empowered, confident and comfortable discussing this important aspect of their health. Women's levels of sexual desire change over the years.

• Hormonal replacement therapy can be considered for low libido.
• Female arousal disorder impacts sexual desire.
• Social support enhances mental health and libido.
• Women’s libido can fluctuate throughout life.
• Sexual fantasies can increase desire and arousal.
• Hormonal fluctuations during illness impact libido.
• A positive attitude towards sexuality is beneficial.
• Artificial hormones or pills should be used cautiously.
• Listening to your body can guide your sexual health.
• Laughter and joy are linked to heightened desire.

It's common for highs and lows to happen along with the start or end of a relationship.

Factor	Influence on Libido	Notes
Self-esteem	Higher self-esteem correlates with higher desire	Psychological well-being
Past Sexual Experiences	Positive experiences can enhance desire	Negative experiences may inhibit
Anxiety	Anxiety can reduce sexual interest	Relaxation improves libido
Body Image	Positive body image boosts confidence	Negative body image can lower desire

Or they can happen with major life changes such as pregnancy, menopause or illness.

• Regular sexual activity can maintain healthy libido.
• Libido may decrease due to aging or menopause.
• Certain neurological conditions affect desire.
• Creative and novel experiences can boost libido.
• Healthy relationships nurture sexual desire.
• Darkness or low lighting often enhance arousal.
• Supplements like maca root are believed to improve libido.
• Hormonal fluctuations are a common cause of desire changes.
• Some medications can increase libido as a side effect.
• Listening to music may increase sexual arousal.

Some medicines used for conditions that affect mood also can cause low sex drive in women.

Factor	Description	Common Impact
Hormonal Changes	Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels	Decrease or increase
Stress Levels	High stress can suppress sexual desire	Usually decreases
Medications	Certain drugs like antidepressants can affect libido	Often decrease
Relationship Health	Emotional connection influences desire	Can increase or decrease
Age	Libido may decline with age due to hormonal shifts	Generally decreases

If your lack of interest in sex continues or returns and causes personal distress, talk with your healthcare professional. You may have a treatable condition called sexual interest-arousal disorder. But you don't have to meet this medical definition to seek help. If you're bothered by a low or reduced sex drive, you can take steps to boost your libido.

How Is Low Libido Diagnosed?

Small gestures of affection can help keep the connection, whether it’s hugging and holding hands, planning date nights or dressing to please your partner. In addition, staying as healthy as possible – through diet, exercise, personal care, positivity and socialization – help supports optimal sexual desire. Addyi and Vyleesi are nonhormonal medications for premenopausal women that work on neurotransmitters to improve sex drive. They are effective in about 60 percent of women. Addyi is a non-hormonal pill taken every night.

Relationship issues

It works by decreasing neurotransmitters that interfere with the sex drive and increasing neurotransmitters (such as dopamine) that improve desire. Vyleesi is a non-hormonal on-demand injection. Vyleesi must be injected a minimum of 45 minutes before being sexual and its effects last 16 hours. It rebalances brain chemistry, allowing the stimulation of excitement neurotransmitters while slowing down neurotransmitters that inhibit desire. While there are no FDA-approved options for increasing desire in post-menopausal women, topical testosterone used off-label can be helpful. Lifestyle changes and sexual techniques may cheap super p force tablets put you in the mood more often. Some medicines may offer promise as well.

Supplement	Common Brand Names	Notes
Maca Root	Nature’s Way, Gaia Herbs	May improve energy and desire
Tribulus Terrestris	NOW, Solgar	Possible boost in sexual desire
L-arginine	Now L-Arginine, Natrol	Enhances blood flow
DHEA	DHEA by Source Naturals	Hormone precursor, consult doctor

neither of you may have a sex drive that's outside what's typical for people at your stage in life.

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And even if your sex drive is lower than it once was, your relationship may be strong. Bottom line: There is no magic number to define low sex drive. Symptoms of low sex drive in women include: Having less or no interest in any type of sexual activity, including masturbation. Never or only seldom having sexual fantasies or thoughts.

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“Primary care physicians and women’s health specialists talk with people all the time about issues of sexual dysfunction and sexual interest,” Dr. Zanotti reassures. “Don’t be shy about sharing changes in your libido, especially if they’re causing you distress. And your sexual health matters as much as the rest of it.” Sign up for our Health Essentials emails for expert guidance on nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin care and more. Arousal without orgasm can be uncomfortable, but it’s no reason to pressure sexual interactions Some foods are thought to rev up your sex drive, despite lack of scientific evidence If anxiety is keeping you from having the sex life you want, communication, education and therapy can help Anorgasmia is a fairly common concern with a wide range of physical and psychological causes Your sexual history directly influences your physical, mental and emotional health in a multitude of ways ‘Safer sex’ means STI prevention, avoiding unintended pregnancies and psychologically safe practices for everyone It’s perfectly normal for gas pockets to ‘evacuate’ during the motions of sex Stay away from hand lotion and honey, but coconut oil can do the trick These tiny saltwater larvae can get trapped under your swimsuit and trigger an itchy reaction called seabather’s eruption Searching nature for edible items requires training and knowledge to avoid poisonous plants Yes, but you can protect yourself with hats, scarves or even hair sunblock Aging WellAllergiesCancer Care & PreventionChronic PainCold, Flu & Respiratory IllnessesDiabetes & EndocrinologyDigestiveEar, Nose & ThroatEye CareInfectious DiseaseLungOral HealthParentingPregnancy & ChildbirthRecipesRheumatology & ImmunologySenior HealthSex & RelationshipsSleepUrinary & Kidney HealthWeight Loss Rendered: Tue May 26 2026 05:11:35 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) It’s not unusual for women to experience problems with sexual desire.

Your mental health could use some attention

In fact, about 40 percent of women in the U.S. report a decline in sexual interest. For men, sexual solutions for erectile dysfunction are well known. But little is said about the options that are available to women who want to enhance or restore lost sexual interest. “Problems with sexual desire in women are common, underdiagnosed and undertreated,” says University Hospitals psychologist Sheryl Kingsberg, PhD. Being sad or concerned about your lack of sexual activity or fantasies.

Don’t Suffer in Silence

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can be used alone or in combination with pharmaceuticals to boost sexual interest. Cognitive behavior therapy works to change negative beliefs or thoughts about sexuality that can interfere with desire. When sex is good, it adds value; but when it’s bad or non-existent and causes distress, it can be extremely powerful in draining a relationship. If you experience distress, get help from a qualified medical fildena 200 mg provider with the expertise you need. Some, but not all OB/GYNs are well-educated in sexual desire treatment options. If you're concerned about your low desire for sex, talk to your gynecologist or other healthcare professional. The answer might be as simple as changing a medicine that you take. Or you may need to get a condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes under tighter control. Get the latest information from our Mayo Clinic experts on women’s health topics, serious and complex conditions, wellness and more. Click to view a preview and subscribe below. Please, try again in a couple of minutes Desire for sex is based on a complex mix of many things that affect intimacy.

Make sexual wellness a priority

“The lack of sexual interest isn’t something that ‘just happens’ with age or in relationships that a woman has to simply accept. It’s a treatable condition that should be addressed if a woman is inclined to do so.” A lot of factors can contribute to the loss of sexual interest. In a long-term relationship, excitement and passion tend to fade over time. Depression, anxiety, stress, sexual guilt or relationship problems can interfere with sexual interest. And physical factors such as hormonal imbalances or changes, neurotransmitter problems, and health issues such as an illness, injury or disability can all negatively affect sex drive.

3. Try Supplements and Herbal Aids

For some women, a loss of sexual interest is acceptable: they’re comfortable in their relationship or their stage of life without it. In this case, there’s no need for treatment. However, if a loss of sexual interest causes personal distress, a woman should feel empowered to seek help. Medical treatments, including pharmaceuticals and cognitive behavior therapy, can help reignite the spark. Maintaining romance in a relationship can help inspire and support sexual attraction, connection and communication. If you have challenges in any of these areas, it can affect your desire for sex. A variety of illnesses, physical changes and medicines can cause low sex drive, including: If you have pain during sex or can't orgasm, it can lower your desire for sex. Many nonsexual diseases can affect sex drive. These include cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and neurological diseases. Some prescription medicines lower sex drive — especially depression medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). A glass of wine may put you in the mood, but too much alcohol can affect your sex drive. The same is true of street drugs. Also, smoking decreases blood flow, which may dull arousal. Any surgery related to your breasts or genital tract can affect your body image, sexual function and desire for sex. Exhaustion from caring for young children or aging parents can contribute to low sex drive. Fatigue from illness or surgery also can play a role.

Common Questions About Low Libido in Women

Testosterone in gel or pump form is adjusted to a female dose equaling one-tenth cenforce d 160 of the male dose and used topically. It is effective in about 60 percent of women. Problems with sexual arousal can also negatively affect sexual desire. Over-the-counter lubricants and vaginal moisturizers as well as prescription hormone treatments can improve arousal and support desire. Vaginal estrogen and DHEA are used to treat postmenopausal women who have changes in vaginal tissue due to a loss of estrogen.

3. Excessive alcohol or drug use

Vaginal estrogen comes in tablets, gel caps, rings and creams. DHEA is offered in a vaginal suppository. A pill, Osphena, is a non-hormonal treatment known as a SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator). Available by prescription only, vaginal estrogen, vaginal DHEA and Osphena help restore vaginal tissue that has become thinner and dryer. They may also help improve sensation and natural lubrication as tissue is restored to health. Changes in your hormone levels may alter your desire for sex. This can make you less interested in sex and cause vaginal dryness, leading to painful or uncomfortable sex. Many women still have satisfying sex during menopause and beyond. But some have a lagging libido during this hormone change. Hormone changes during pregnancy, just after having a baby and during breastfeeding can put a damper on sex drive.