Libido is defined as the desire of man to participate in sexual activity. Man is naturally endowed with the instinct of sex. This is in response to man’s function to procreate. But there are cases of lowered libido and this could seriously affect a person’s self-esteem, and could possibly lead to the break-up of a once beautiful relationship. The loss of libido or sexual desire may be conscious or unconscious. Below are some of the reasons why a person’s sexual desire is diminishing:

1. Stress

How can stress cause low libido? Stress is a response when there is a challenging circumstance or any situation that threatens the integrity of man. During stress, the body responds by increasing the levels of cortisol and epinephrine, hormones in the body that causes all body attributes to increase its function, in order to react with fight or flight. This reaction is acted upon by the sympathetic nervous system. It should be noted that reproduction is due to the function of the parasympathetic nervous systems. So when there are too much stress responses by the body, reproduction and sexual desires are suppressed since the hormones responsible for them are overwhelmed by the hormones responsible for stress. Too much stress therefore, dampens sexual desires. It is imperative at this point, therefore, to find ways to manage stress, so that one’s sexual desire will be restored.

2. Alcohol

Drinking alcohol can have good and bad effects on sexual instincts. In small doses, alcohol can inhibit shyness and can therefore allow people to meet up, especially for singles, or allow individuals to be romantic, especially for those with partners. Small amounts of alcohol also can prolong the stage before climax during sexual activity. However, there are greater negative effects of alcohol, especially when it is taken in large quantities. For one, alcohol is said to be the major cause of erectile dysfunction or impotence.  There may be some increase of sexual desire, but sexual performance diminishes when there is an increased intake of alcohol.  When there is addiction of alcohol, Brewer’s droop develops permanently and the desire for sex will fade at the same time.  Both men and women who drink too much is unable to achieve orgasm.

3. Lack of Sleep

Sleep is an important part of our daily activities. Sleep should normally be 7 hours for an average adult.  People who sleep less, or are having insomnia, have reduced energy for the day. This will also result to decreased sexual desire. Take note that sleep and reproduction is regulated by the parasympathetic nervous system. So when there is enough sleep, the desire to reproduce and to have sexual relations is increased.

4. Medications

There are several medications that can cause lowering of sexual desires. Among them are atenolol, catapres, clonidine, cocaine, esmolol, lopresor, metoprolol, solavert, tensig.  Most of the medications that kill sexual desires are chemotherapeutic drugs, antihypertensive medications and other oral contraceptives. There are many ways that medications can affect sexual desire. There are those that affect sexual hormones in such a way that when there is an increase in the ingestion of such chemicals, the resulting effect is the lowering of sexual desires. Some medications also have side effects such as lethargy, weight gain, confusion and drowsiness that are detrimental to one’s desire for sex.

5. Obesity

Studies have shown that people with problems related to sexual drive, desire and performance can be traced back to problems with obesity. For men who have obesity problems, increased cholesterol and fatty substance will tend to accumulate in small arteries at the penile area. As this accumulates, there is constriction of the blood vessels and less blood enters the organs of the pubic area. Less blood means inability to function properly. This results to erectile dysfunction or impotence, which will eventually cause a decrease in sexual desire. But this problem is not limited to men; women who also are obese have poor blood flow towards their reproductive organs which could result to lowered sexual responsiveness and will eventually result to a decrease in sexual drive.

Furthermore, obesity can significantly lower a person’s self esteem and the person has the tendency to see him or herself in a negative way. When there is low self-esteem in a person, his or her sexual drive is also lowered.

6. Depression

The brain is the biggest sex organ of the body. Studies have shown that 35 to 47 percent of depressed individuals are having decreased desire for sex and sexuality. For persons diagnosed with depression, their neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine are imbalanced. Because this chemical is out of balance in the brain, stimulation of sexual organs is low or non-existent. In depression, drive and motivation which are greatly influenced by the brain, are diminished.

7. Menopause

During menopause, a woman will have changes in her sexual desires. Estrogen is a hormone that increases woman’s sexuality. When there is a loss or lack of estrogen, there is also a decrease in the sexual desire of women.  Those who are experiencing the symptoms of menopause and those who are already beyond that stage will observe that their arousal tendencies are diminished. They are also becoming less responsive to touch and other forms of intimacies. Additionally, the decreasing levels of estrogen will decrease the supply of blood at the vaginal area. This results to lowered amounts of lubrication. Combining all this, a woman will have discomfort in sex which will eventually result to a lowered desire for sex.

Aside from the above-mentioned issues, there are also issues that cause a woman experiencing menopausal symptoms to have lowered sex drive.  Some of these are those related to different organs, which makes a woman lose interest in sexual intimacies. Problems with bladder control, sleeping problems, stress, medications, depression and anxiety are some of the reasons that can make a woman lose her desire for sex.

8. Relationship Problems

Problems in relationships result to irritability and low moods that will eventually cause a lowered sex drive.  There is also too much familiarity between the partner that sexual drive fades easily. Couples, who have problems in other areas of their relationship, will also have problems with their sexual life.

Sources
webmd.com
netdoctor.co.uk
sexuality.about.com
news.softpedia.com
stress.about.com
my.clevelandclinic.org
webmd.com
medicinenet.com
everydayhealth.com
netdoctor.co.uk