Decreased Sex Drive

Women’s hormones naturally fluctuate throughout their menstrual cycle, which coincides with sexual highs and lows. Many women experience a sexual high during their mid-cycle peak in estrogen, which occurs soon after ovulation. Sexual lows quickly follow the highs once estrogen levels drop and menstruation begins. However, several factors can cause decreased sex drive in women unrelated to their monthly cycle.

Causes of decreased sex drive in women

Women can experience a decreased sex drive due to physical causes, psychological causes, hormonal changes, or external issues.  If you’re experiencing a problem in any of these areas, it can trigger a hormone imbalance and decrease your desire for sex:

Physical

• Sexual problems. If you experience pain during sex or are unable to orgasm, it can lead to a decreased desire for sex. Painful intercourse is often caused by vaginal dryness, a symptom of low estrogen.
• Medical conditions. Arthritis, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, or neurological diseases can contribute to a loss of libido in women. Certain medications used to treat these conditions can directly impact sexual function.
• Medications. Prescription antidepressants like serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are known to lower the sex drive. SSRIs work by increasing serotonin levels, which are associated with reduced libido.  
• Lifestyle behaviors. Alcohol, illicit drugs, and smoking decrease blood flow to the vagina, dull a woman’s ability to become aroused. Drinking in excess disables the natural sexual response of the autonomic (involuntary) nervous system. Chemical substances like marijuana and cocaine have known links to decreased sex drive. Smoking damages the arteries affecting blood flow to the genitals, leading to a loss of desire and arousal.
• Fatigue. Fatigue is often linked to relationship issues, stress from working long hours, or being a primary caregiver to young children or older adults, but it can also be a symptom of underlying medical issues, like reduced hormone levels.

Hormonal changes

• Menopause. As women reach their 40s and 50s, they begin to experience a natural decline of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, especially during and after menopause. Not only can this lead to a loss of libido in women, but it can also make intercourse uncomfortable or painful.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding can lead to low libido in women. If your libido does not return 6-9 months following the birth of your baby, talk to your doctor about treatment options.

Psychological causes

Your state of mind can also have a significant impact on your sexual desire. Things like chronic anxiety, depression, stress, poor body image, low self-esteem, or a history of negative sexual experiences can result in a decreased sex drive.

If you’re concerned about low libido, pain during intercourse, or a possible hormone imbalance, talk to a skilled specialist at SynergenX to find out if hormone replacement therapy is right for you. Call 888.219.7259 to schedule an appointment.