Why Do Women Lose Their Libido?

Why Do Women Lose Their Libido?
Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Gabriel S. Delgado C.

Libido is commonly referred to as sexual drive or the desire to want to have sex. When women lose their libido it can be frustrating for both them and their partner. Some reasons for lack of libido are evident while others are more challenging to figure out. Physicians or sex therapists are the only qualified individuals who can accurately diagnose the reason why a woman has a low sex drive.

Weight Gain

A women who has recently gained a considerable amount of weight may show signs of losing her libido. One of the main reasons for this is because she feels unattractive in her own skin. Before the weight gain, she may have enjoyed getting undressed in front of her partner or wearing attractive lingerie. Now she may not feel comfortable showing off her larger sized body. Weight gain can not only be unattractive, it can make sex difficult. A larger tummy, increased fat on the inner thighs can make positioning for sex difficult and embarrassing for some women--leading to a lack of sexual drive.

Hormonal Changes

Hormonal changes are common as women age and go through pregnancies, pre-menopause and menopause. According to Bodylogicmd, as women approach menopause, during and after, the body decreases its estrogen, testosterone and progesterone output. This can cause irritability, bloating, weight gain and vaginal dryness. All of these factors can decrease a woman's libido. Hormonal changes are a normal part of female development, but if the symptoms relating to these changes persist, medical attention should be sought to rule out medical ailments.

Childbirth

The birth of a child can be a joyous occasion for the mother. Along with the birth of a child, a woman can experience a decreased libido. This can be from the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and giving birth. As a woman is breastfeeding, she may find it difficult to have sexual contact with her partner. Healing time from an episiotomy or cesarean section can also lead to a lack in sexual desire.

Illness

Women may experience changes in their libido if they are experiencing illness or are sick. Losing their libido could be due to changes they have to go through psychologically by dealing with the illness and the negative effect it has on their life. She may also be receiving chemotherapy which could drain her energy or cause physical pain during sex.

Stress

Stress occurring just before sex can cause women to lose their libido. Stress can lead to racing thoughts, muscle tension and a short temper. Stress can be caused from personal issues, work and social issues or the thought of not wanting to have sex at all. Women who experience post-traumatic stress problems due to rape or sexual abuse may also lose their libido with their partner.

References

Article reviewed by Tad Cronn Last updated on: Jan 26, 2010

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