Low Libido? 5 Surprising Things That Can Kill Your Sex Drive

If your sex drive isn’t riding the way it used to (pun very much intended), you’re definitely not alone. Sometimes you look at your partner and think, “I love you, but please don’t touch me”. The truth is that libido isn’t always constant. It goes up and down based on what is happening in your life, body, and mind, and sometimes the things messing with your sex drive are things you wouldn’t expect.

So, let’s talk about the causes of low sex drive in women and what you can do to fix it and get things riding smoothly again.

1. Stress

This is one of the biggest sex drive killers in history. If life has been stressing you, then your sex drive will definitely feel it. When you’re stressed, your body produces a hormone known as cortisol (the stress hormone). The high levels of cortisol tell your body to pack up all “unnecessary” activities because you’re in “survival mode”.

When you add poor sleep, which also affects your hormones, energy, and mood, your motivation to do anything, including sexy time, plummets like a cliff.

Fertitude Tip: Try stress-relieving activities like journaling, taking deep breaths when needed, a short walk, and doing activities that give you joy.

2. Hormonal Imbalance

Your hormones are powerful busybodies that control everything, including your sex drive. If they are out of balance, then your sex drive would feel it. For example:

Low oestrogen levels after childbirth, during breastfeeding, perimenopause, menopause, or from some birth control pills can lead to vaginal dryness and low arousal.
Low testosterone (yes, women also have it) can also reduce your sex drive and make sex feel like a boring chore.
Thyroid disorders can affect your mood, energy, and libido, all at once!

Fertitude Tip: If your sex drive has been low for a while and you experience some symptoms like vaginal dryness, fatigue, mood changes, or irregular cycles, then consider getting your hormones checked by a doctor. If hormonal imbalance is the culprit behind your low sex drive, balancing your hormones can improve it.

3. Medications

Some medications silently affect your libido. Some of the common examples are:

Antidepressants, particularly the ones that fall into a category known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Fluoxetine or Sertraline.
Some blood pressure medications relax your blood vessels a little too well. Great for blood pressure control, but not so great for your sex drive.
Hormonal birth control can lower testosterone levels in some women, which can reduce their sex drive.
Antihistamines, which are great for allergies, but sometimes, not so great for vaginal dryness.

Fertitude Tip: If you started a new medication and your sex drive suddenly disappears, then that might be the culprit. DON’T stop any medication by yourself. Speak to your doctor, who can help you either adjust the dose, switch to an alternative, or manage the side effects.

4. Illnesses

Your sex drive is deeply connected to your overall health. If your body is dealing with an illness, it prioritizes survival and not sex. Some of these conditions that could affect your libido include:

Chronic medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease may affect your energy levels and blood flow.
Thyroid disorders.
Depression and anxiety.
Chronic pain conditions like endometriosis or fibromyalgia.
Autoimmune conditions like lupus or multiple sclerosis.

Fertitude Tip: If your sex drive has dropped and you have any other physical condition, see your doctor to help you manage that underlying medical condition.

5. Vaginal Dryness or Painful Sex

This is also a major vibe killer. Vaginal dryness or pain during sex can make your body want to avoid sex at all costs, and honestly, who can blame it? Dryness can occur for so many reasons, including low oestrogen levels, medications, stress, or not enough foreplay. Pain during sex can be a result of underlying conditions like endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or vaginal infections.

Fertitude Tip: Don’t ignore or “power through” the pain. There’s no reward for that. Use lubricants, engage in more foreplay, and speak to a doctor if you keep having dryness and painful sex.

Final Thoughts

Low libido means your body is responding to something – stress, hormones, medications, emotions, or your health. The key to figuring it out is to pay attention to your body and ask for help when needed.