Reduced interest in sexual activities, or low libido, affects both men and women. It is normal for a person to lose interest in sexual activities at various times in their lives, due to factors like stress, age and hormonal changes. But low libido can cause an issue if it has resulted due to stress as it affects the overall well being of a person or may lead to anxiety regarding the relationship they have.
Low libido can be an underlying cause of a health condition or it has been caused due to the factors that are driving a person’s lifestyle.
Here we have discussed the causes of low libido in women and men:
1. Cancer treatments
Treatments for cancer such as radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery can lower libido.
2. Obstructive sleep apnea
When obstructive sleep apnea does not get the right kind of treatment, researchers suggest that there can be symptoms of low libido that will be seen in a person.
3. Diabetes or nerve damage
Nerve and vascular damage can cause increased levels of sugar in a person’s blood. These can lead to a condition known as erectile dysfunction in males and the blood flow also gets reduced to the genitals in the case of the ladies. Women suffering from diabetes may also face increased levels of bladder and yeast infections that can make sex a painful encounter.
4. High blood pressure
The blood circulation gets affected by the high blood pressure which can contribute to the occurrence of low libido in females. The blood circulation decreases and the blood vessels get damaged due to the diseases related to the heart.
5. Joint pain
The participation in sexual activities seem to reduce when a person faces stiffness and pain in their joints.
6. Medications
There are medications that can lead to the dysfunctionality of sex. The sexual desire in a person seems to reduce due to drugs like hormonal contraceptives, antidepressants, high blood pressure medication, antipsychotics and medications for enlarged prostate. A lot of alcohol consumption or the use of recreational drugs can cause low libido.
7. Mental health
Psychological and emotional factors can impact the interest of a person in sexual activities. Issues related to one’s mental health condition lead by fatigue, lowered self-esteem, anxiety, prior sexual abuse and depression can reduce a person’s interest in sexual activities. Issues related to one’s relationship such as lack of communication and trust and conflicts can affect the person’s interest in sexual activities.
8. Menopause
Problems related to one’s desire to indulge in sexual activities are related to menopause. This is because the levels of estrogen are lowered. Menopause can lead to a decrease in testosterone that is produced by females in limited quantities. Lowered levels of testosterone can give rise to reduce interest in sexual activities. Postmenopause the lowered levels of estrogen can result in dryness and thinning of the vagina that can cause pain and discomfort when a person gets involved in sexual activity. These circumstances force a person to then associate such feelings with sex and begin to be disinterested in it.