1. Visit Your Doctor
Frigidity, also called inhibited sexual desire (ISD) or low sex drive, can have numerous different causes. Some cases result from underlying medical conditions or diseases, including arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Other cases may be a reaction to medications, such as antidepressants. Still others may have hormonal causes. There are dozens of different physical reasons why you may be experiencing inhibited sexual desire. That's why it's important to see your doctor to get a proper diagnosis.
If a doctor determines that your frigidity is caused by a physical problem, he can suggest one of several medical interventions. Underlying conditions should be addressed first. If you have an untreated or uncontrolled medical condition such as diabetes, medication and other treatments may restore your sex drive. If your frigidity is caused by medication, adjusting the dosage or finding another drug or type of treatment to replace it may help. If hormone deficiency is the cause, estrogen or testosterone replacement therapy may be recommended. Testosterone therapy, however, can produce significant side effects and is not approved by the FDA for this purpose.
2. Seek Psychological Counseling
Frigidity often has psychological causes stemming from such things as past sexual abuse, lack of intimacy or breach of trust in a relationship, negative body image, stress, anxiety or depression. Psychotherapy with a counselor experienced in sexual dysfunction may reveal the issues that need to be addressed. Couples counseling with you and your partner can uncover and resolve issues within the relationship, such as problems with infidelity, poor communication or diminished intimacy.
If you feel a lack of sexual desire in general and not just towards your partner, it may be more helpful to seek individual counseling. A therapist can suggest ways to enhance your libido and your emotional connection to your partner. For example, taking time to practice sexual behaviors that don't involve intercourse like sensual massage or taking a bath together can help improve communication and intimacy while removing the pressure to engage in sex. Your therapist also may suggest varying your sexual experiences to include such things as masturbation, erotic materials and new sexual positions. Enhancing your enjoyment of intercourse and of your partner may be all that is needed to increase your sex drive.
3. Make Positive Life Changes
Stress, fatigue and many other factors in your life can lower your sex drive. The impact a busy schedule can exert on sexual desire is often underestimated. When you have a million things on your plate and never enough time to accomplish them, sex may drop to a low rung on your priority list. Taking time out to decompress and regenerate can enhance your libido. Exercising regularly, for example, relieves stress, improves body image and fights fatigue. Eating balanced and nutritious meals can give you the energy to keep going throughout the day and night.
