If you have been noticing you are less interested in sex these days, you are suffering from a diminished or decreased libido. Sex drives are complicated, and several factors can contribute to the problem. There are just as many solutions, though they may vary dramatically from men to women.
Signs
You most likely don't need an expert to determine whether you have a diminished libido. The symptoms clearly speak for themselves. You might be less interested in sex than you used to be, or go out of your way to avoid having sex altogether. Sexual dreams and fantasies may be far and few between. Your partner may complain that you are no longer interested in sex, or in him. In some cases, your loss of interest in sex may spill over into difficulty with normal arousal or orgasm.
Relationship Stress
Relationship stress is an obvious reason for loss of interest in sex. It is difficult to be engaged with deeper levels of intimacy when you have conflict with your partner. This may cause you to withdraw on several levels, and your sexual relationship may be the first to go. This is more typical of women, who have a high emotional connection to sex.
Life Stress
If you are feeling overwhelmed by your career, raising a family or other life stresses--your libido may suffer. Demanding schedules can lead to burnout. You may find you have little time for sex, and that by the time the day is done, you are exhausted. If your stress factors lead to anxiety or depression, your diminished libido could become more problematic if you need to handle underlying mental health concerns.
Aging
Men experience a decrease in libido as they age. It's fairly common knowledge that men peak in testosterone and sex drives in late teen years and decline as they age. Women, on the other hand, don't peak in their sexuality until their thirties due to hormones, personal confidence maturity. Age does affect women as well, when progesterone and estrogen levels begin to drop.
Medications
If you have noticed that your libido has diminished after a recent medicine change, you may want to talk to your doctor. Certain medications, including hormone replacement and antidepressants, can have sexual side effects, the most common being a loss of libido. Dr. Ashley Hill at OBYGN.net says, "Medications, like some antidepressants and many blood pressure pills, can lead to lower sex drives. As with all medical conditions, your doctor can help you determine if your medical history or medications are causing problems with your sex life."
Solutions
It's important to be honest with yourself about the true causes of your loss of libido. If you find you are not getting results on your own by improving your relationship, handling the stress of life and following a healthy diet and exercise routine, then seek the help of a professional who can give you specific advice. Having a healthy sex drive is an important part of life.
