Have you realized that your desire for sex has not only gone but disappeared?
Did you wake up one day and find that becoming aroused was difficult or impossible?
Well, you’re not alone!
According to a 1999 Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) study, about 43% of women suffer sexual inadequacy for a number of reasons compared to 31% of men. Interestingly, this whole data is actually thought to underestimate the level of sexual dysfunction in the U.S.!
In a women’s physical and mental well-being, sexual satisfaction plays a crucial part and this is why problems with low libido or sex drive deserve an equal amount of treatment as any other physical or mental illness.
Indeed low libido is a serious problem for women. Unfortunately, there seems to be a never-ending, rather nerve-wracking list of reasons for low libido in women.
If you’re the one experiencing issues with sexual desire, it’s possible that something is off somewhere in your mind, in your body, or in your life.
Knowing about the cause can only help you overcome this situation.
So,
Here’s a breakdown of most frequent causes to understand the nature of low sex drive in women.
7 Causes of Low Libido In Women: What’s REALLY Causing Your Low Sex Drive?
- Hormonal Imbalance
- Anxiety and Depression
- Under-eating / Dieting / Over-exercising
- Relationship Issues
- Birth Control Pills
- Low-self Esteem
I have narrowed down top 7 causes of low libido that’s killing your sexual desire. It will help women identify, what might be affecting their sexual drive and so they can figure out the solution for it.
Now let’s get into it Low Sex Drive reasons….
#1: Stress
You know the name very well. Stress is perhaps the major cause of low sex drive in women.
Stress can be considered as a mood killer for many of us. When family issues, kids, work, and everything else in your life is minimizing your spirit, getting in the mood for sex with your partner seems like the last thing you want to do.
The higher level of stress may cause the release of cortisol – considered to be the body’s natural stress hormone. When cortisol increases in your body, libido reduced.
If you’re feeling stressed, making a regular sex date with your partner can only reduce that stress.
Get yourself back into a regular routine; it’ll help you boost libido and naturally increase sex drive female.
You should be aware of the fact that sex is a natural stress-inhibitor, so doing it within a regular interval of time make you feel good afterward.
#2: Hormonal Imbalance – Low Sex Drive Causes
Imbalances in hormone levels, such as thyroid hormones, estrogen, cortisol, and low testosterone levels affect sex drive in a female.
When it comes to libido, it’s hard to tell which hormones do exactly for women’s bodies.
Although medical journals seem to prove that hormones are essential for libido, other than that, it not really get any more specific information.
Here one thing is clear for sure when progesterone levels are raised up comparative to estrogen, libido suffers.
Well, this makes sense! After ovulation, progesterone is secreted. And so your body isn’t trying hard to get to have sex at that moment. On the other hand, Estrogen is secreted right before ovulation. So, this is a crucial time for your body to arouse you.
If you are suffering from low estrogen levels, then this is definitely a problem for your libido worth addressing.
This is also a potential issue if you’re breastfeeding, pregnant, or post-partum, as progesterone levels get higher mainly at these times. In this case, the only solution is patience.
#3: Anxiety and Depression
Mental illness like anxiety and depression is another major cause of low libido in woman.
These are serious conditions that you should never take it lightly. There’s so much humiliation around mental illness which just can’t be ignored and be this way.
In this situation, you need assistance to live your happiest, healthiest life. If you’re experiencing anxiety or depression, I would suggest you take professional help right away to find a cure that works for you.
SSRIs (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) a class of drugs typically used as antidepressants in the treatment of anxiety and depression often kill sex drive in women. If this is the case for you, I would strongly suggest consulting your doctor.
Often adjustments to dosage and medication can be made to assist you in increasing desired sexual function.
#4: Under-eating / Dieting / Over-exercising
Under-eating, calorie counting, dieting, intermittent fasting, and over-exercising, are all sure-fire ways to reduce libido or lower your sex drive.
Why?
Because the female body is very sensitive towards hunger or starvation signals. If it weren’t, it would become a great struggle to survive. Therefore, in order to prevent stressful pregnancies, bodies of a normal woman are inherently wired to shut down reproductive desire at the drop of a hat.
Because the female body is super sensitive to starvation signals. If it weren’t, and it became pregnant out in the wild during a famine, it would struggle to survive, and in all likelihood die.
In order to prevent stressful pregnancies, therefore, female bodies are inherently wired to shut down reproductive function (and therefore reproductive desire) at the drop of a hat.
I cannot tell you how many women boosted their libidos after gaining some fat, ceasing intermittent fasting or adding carbohydrates back to their diets.
#5: Relationship Issues
Let me tell you the harsh truth – low sexual desire often stops a couple from longer relationship issues. Whether it be poor communication or a lack of trust.
You’re not going to be turned on by your partner when you’re unhappy in your relationship.
Remember, negative emotions in a relationship directly impact on sexual desire. The two go hand-in-hand.
A person’s mind is a powerful source and so their mental health must be a top priority. Immediately seek help from a couple’s therapist, if this sounds like something you may need to address.
Don’t forget! It will be impossible to regain a good sex life with unresolved issues disrupting your desire.
#6: Birth Control Pills
Taking birth control pills can lead to a serious issue for a number of women and low libido is one of those potential issues.
Why?
Because birth control pills usually contain high levels of artificial types of progesterone and estrogen in them.
Although sometimes taking hormonal birth control pills helps balance women’s hormones, but still it has a negative effect on hormone balance, at least where libido is concerned.
If your libido seems to be dropped when you start taking birth control pills, either consider getting a variety of the pill that contains more estrogen relative to progesterone, or a hormone-free alternative.
#7: Low-self Esteem – Less Sex Drive Causes
If you have low self-esteem, getting turned on can be a serious challenge.
When you don’t feel confident about yourself, you’re not exactly in the state of mind to let alone have an orgasm.
Being intimate with your partner is a vulnerable state. A lack of confidence can have a negative impact on your sex drive and you can also experience an inhibit pleasure.
Performance anxiety is something you should acknowledge as it usually exists for women. Boosting your self-esteem and confidence are very much required for increasing sexual desire in women.
You can try yoga, self-affirmations, and therapy. Don’t forget! You’re a beautiful and gorgeous dynamic woman.
Try self-affirmations, yoga, and therapy. You’re a gorgeous dynamic woman. You deserve to feel that way.
Now,
Are you wondering – How to increase sex drive?
Well, the answer is a bit complex. Working with a therapist, a physician and a sex therapist will help you solve psychological issues and regain physical health that results in increasing sexual desire in women.
Fortunately, with a healing diet, nutrient-rich, and low-stress life, you can easily overcome these causes of low sex drive in women without even really trying.
How to Boost Libido Naturally?
The Good News!
If you’re suffering from low sex drive or libido, hope is not lost!
To increase your libido naturally you can do some lifestyle changes. If you’re not exercising then it’s time to get off the bed and get moving.
According to numerous studies, women who do regular workout have more energy for sex, and the endorphins are released thereby giving you a happy and joyful feeling.
And if you are working out on a regular basis, there’s no need for any recreational drug because exercising habitually are going to pump you full of endorphins (neurotransmitters that produce positive feelings in the brain and body).
Talking about STRESS, it’s going to be a part of life and so you really can’t avoid this problem.
So, what can you do to make your life stress free?
Yoga and meditation are the two great ways to calm your mind and get refreshed. Also, think about shaping your daily responsibilities.
Sometimes just writing stuff down can help you deal or tackle mental stress more effectively without wanting to pull your hair out.
Taking a good night’s sleep is another way to fight stress and boost your libido.
Before you hit the pillow, calm your mind by reading your favorite books or listening to songs.
Along with these aforementioned lifestyle changes, there’re some libido-boosting foods to consider.
8 Foods that Increase Both Your Sex Drive & Libido Naturally
Libido-boosting foods include:
#1: Avocados
Avocados are a high source of vitamin B6, potassium, and vitamin E which helps increase blood flow to the genitals. Adding this yummy fruit to your diet is as easy as integrating on top of your salad, to a side of eggs, or directly into a delicious smoothie.
#2: Figs
Figs help encourages the secretion of pheromones (chemicals skilled in acting like hormones outside the body of an individual). You can have this fruit after you’ve tugged them directly from the tree. Saute them in a pan with olive oil, a pinch of salt and pepper & balsamic vinaigrette.
#3: Black Raspberries
Black raspberries are a popular phytochemical-rich food that increases sex drive in women. Simply supplement these little gems to your oatmeal (morning breakfast) and pop these into your mouth during your next night date.
#4: Chocolate
Everyone’s favorite chocolate is a positive mood booster due to dopamine and serotonin levels that fill our brain and body with the feeling of joy.
#5: Peppers
The hotter the better and that’s why peppers are essential. The heat increases your body’s metabolism and stimulates endorphins which result in an increased heart rate, plumpness in your lips, and a little sweat, all of which gets the blood filing throughout your body.
#6: Almonds
Almonds come loaded with vitamin E, selenium, and zinc which further helps in reproductive and sexual health. Add almonds to your daily eating habits. Grab a handful of almonds and drop into a bag for a mid-afternoon nibble on-the-go.
#7: Ginger
Ginger is known for its ability to boost the resistant power. Further, it also increases blood circulation which allows for a clear passage of blood to the genitalia. Mix ginger well in a cup of warm water and add honey, lemon, and soothe any stresses away.
#8: Vitamin C-filled foods
Include Vitamin C-filled foods in your foods like red peppers, broccoli, guava, and oranges. These vitamin c enriched foods improve blood circulation in the body and help regulate the estrogen, reproductive hormones, progesterone, and testosterone.
If you are suffering from low sex drive or facing the challenges of low libido, you’re definitely not alone. These aforementioned 8 libido-boosting foods help increase your sexual pleasure, boost libido thereby giving you and your partner a happy sex life. In the end, you’ll be ready to give your best performance in the bedroom and enjoy better sex life.