Let's talk low libido

New medications and other changes to your health can impact your interest in getting frisky. Your age may be a consideration, too, as low sex drive is commonly associated with changes that happen in perimenopause and postmenopause. And for some people, issues in how your body responds to sex and sexual arousal can keep you from getting in the mood — like muscle tension, blood flow and lubrication. Additionally, emotional struggles can relegate sex to the back burner, especially if you’re living with concerns like: And in other cases, you can experience reduced sexual desire for no obvious reason — a condition sometimes called hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

• Low libido may be a symptom of underlying health issues.
• Regular intimacy fosters emotional bonds.
• Support groups can help address sexual concerns.
• Proper foreplay increases female arousal.
• Herbal teas like red clover may influence libido.
• Personal grooming can boost confidence and desire.
• Some women find that humor decreases sexual tensions.
• Age-related libido decline is natural but manageable.
• Anxiety or fear around sex diminishes desire.
• Education about sexuality can empower women.

“Low libido can stem from any number of concerns, and there may be more than one issue at play,” Dr. Zanotti explains. “The important thing to remember is that you’re not alone and that low sex drive isn’t a reflection on you or your relationship.” Depending on the reasons for your decreased sexual interest, there are medications and other options available that may help you get your groove back.

• Yoga can improve flexibility and libido.
• Estrogen therapy is sometimes prescribed for low libido.
• Lifestyle adjustments can restore sexual interest.
• Sexual health clinics offer personalized advice.
• Female libido is a complex interplay of many factors.
• Some women find that fragrances or lotions increase arousal.
• Overexertion and fatigue lower sexual desire.
• Open conversations about desires improve intimacy.
• Libido may increase with new or stimulating experiences.
• Self-awareness about sexuality can enhance desire.

“Low sexual desire is often multifactorial, and medications may not fix it all,” Dr. Zanotti acknowledges. “It’s important to investigate the causes.

• Hormonal replacement therapy can be considered for low libido.
• Female arousal disorder impacts sexual desire.
• Social support enhances mental health and libido.
• Women’s libido can fluctuate throughout life.
• Sexual fantasies can increase desire and arousal.
• Hormonal fluctuations during illness impact libido.
• A positive attitude towards sexuality is beneficial.
• Artificial hormones or pills should be used cautiously.
• Listening to your body can guide your sexual health.
• Laughter and joy are linked to heightened desire.

Medication, along with seeing a sexual therapist, can be very helpful for various sexual dysfunction issues.” Dr. Zanotti explains some options to increase female libido.

This prescription pill has been available since 2015.

Additional resources on this topic

Smoking is associated with worse mood on stressful days: results from a national diary study. Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, 36(3), 259–269. Sexual satisfaction is associated with sexual communication, mood setting, sexual variety, oral sex, orgasm, and sex frequency in a national U.S. study. Journal of Sex Research, 54(2), 186-201.

Medical conditions and medications affect libido

Sexual Desire Discrepancy: A Position Statement of the European Society for Sexual Medicine. Group mindfulness-based therapy significantly improves sexual desire in women. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 57, 43-54. An investigation of the relationship between physical fitness, self-concept, and sexual functioning. Journal of education and health promotion, 7, 57.

Psychological Distress

The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7(2), 964-970. Role of hormones in hypoactive sexual desire disorder and current treatment. Journal of the Turkish German Gynecological Association, 18(4), 210–218. Increasing women's sexual desire: The comparative effectiveness of estrogens and androgens. Prescribing testosterone and DHEA: The role of androgens in women. Flibanserin (brand name Addyi®) is taken nightly and can ramp up sex drive, Dr. Zanotti explains. It may cause drowsiness and shouldn’t be taken within two hours of drinking alcohol. Don’t expect fireworks to happen immediately, though. The medication takes about two months to start working. But you may find it’s worth the wait. Vyleesi® is an on-demand prescription medication — as in, take it when the mood is right.

• Mindfulness during intimacy can heighten desire.
• Maintaining a healthy weight supports hormonal health.
• Pelvic health exercises improve blood flow and desire.
• Vitamin B complex might influence libido positively.
• Hydration impacts overall sexual function.
• Women’s libido can reflect emotional connection.
• Certain spices, like cardamom, have aphrodisiac qualities.
• A balanced sex life contributes to overall well-being.
• Exercise releases hormones that can increase desire.
• Creative visualization techniques may enhance libido.

(Or at least 45 minutes before you anticipate the mood being right.) Vyleesi is an injectable medication you use in your thigh or abdomen.

Vaginal dryness can sometimes cause pain during intercourse, which can affect your sexual desire.

If vaginal dryness is contributing to your low interest, you may find relief with vaginal estrogen or a vaginal DHEA suppository.

Precautions and Considerations

Or if you’re interested in working through this issue with a mental health professional, you can start by trying our mental health services. Lifestyle Choices Can Augment Female Sexual Well-Being. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 12(1), 38–41. Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sexual Dysfunction. Indian journal of psychiatry, 59(Suppl 1), S91–S115.

Psychological causes

The Relative Health Benefits of Different Sexual Activities. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7(4), 1336-1361. Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: A Review of Epidemiology, Biopsychology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Sexual medicine reviews, 4(2), 103–120. Chronic stress and sexual function in women.

Is it safe?

The journal of sexual medicine, 10(10), 2443–2454. The Effects of Acute Exercise on Mood, Cognition, Neurophysiology, and Neurochemical Pathways: A Review. Brain plasticity (Amsterdam, Netherlands), 2(2), 127–152. Women's sexual arousal: effects of high alcohol dosages and self-control instructions. Hormones and behavior, 59(5), 730–738. That is, an insert that you place in your vagina daily. It’s a hormone treatment that’s been shown to be effective in managing vaginal dryness. That may help increase genital sensitivity in postmenopausal females especially. But some people find that it can increase libido as a happy side effect. It may be prescribed off-label for low sex drive, regardless of whether you’re living with depression.

Seeking Help

There are options to increase sex drive that can be very effective.” But it can be particularly common in women, in part because of hormonal makeup, as well as societal expectations regarding sex and sex drive. Dr. Zanotti explains why females commonly experience low sex drive, and what options are available to increase your libido. There are a number of reasons your sex drive may shift into neutral. Physical changes can do a number on your sexual interest. While medications may address some of the physical aspects of getting you “in the mood,” emotional support can help, too. Especially if your low libido is connected to any social, emotional, interpersonal or mental health concerns. “For most people, sex and sexual arousal is two-pronged — you need your body to respond in certain ways and you also need to be mentally interested,” Dr. Zanotti explains. “If your mind is focused on other concerns, it’s easy for sexual desire to wane.” Talking with a mental health professional can help you better address any psychological barriers that are holding your libido down. If you notice a dip in your interest in sex, it can feel isolating.

Why Libido Is Not a Single Switch in Women

Medications and therapy can help get your groove back Image content: This image is available to view online. People in bed sleeping at night, caught up in their sheets. We all have different ideas of what an active and fulfilling sex life looks like. Think of your sex life like driving to your favorite tunes: Some people drive around with their music full blast, singing along at any hour of day or night to whatever comes on. Other people keep the volume a little lower.

More Information

Some people really only enjoy premature ejaculation treatment a few select songs or artists. Or maybe they need some time to try out a few playlists until they find just the right one to get them in the dancing mood. Different people have different preferences — whether we’re talking music or life between the sheets. And whether your sex life is thumping party jams or tasteful light jazz, there’s nothing wrong with it … if that’s what you choose. But what if it’s not working for you anymore?

How do I know if my libido is low?

What if what you’re looking for is a sex life that’s a little bit rock-and-roll, but you can’t seem to dial up the volume these days? A low libido can leave you feeling lonely, frustrated and unfulfilled in your relationships. Fortunately, there are ways to get your music bumping again. “It’s not at all uncommon for your sexual interest to change and get in the way of enjoying a healthy and fulfilling sex life,” says Ob/Gyn Salena Zanotti, MD. “But you don’t have to live with low libido. But Dr. Zanotti emphasizes that you don’t have to suffer in silence. “Primary care physicians and women’s health specialists talk with people all the time about issues of sexual dysfunction and sexual interest,” Dr. Zanotti reassures.

Be more active

Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 88(1), 35-43. Mayo Clinic proceedings, 91(9), 1280–1286. A review of the positive and negative effects of cardiovascular drugs on sexual function: a proposed table for use in clinical practice. Netherlands heart journal : monthly journal of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology and the Netherlands Heart Foundation, 22(1), 11–19. Female Sexual Dysfunction: Natural and Complementary Treatments.

Reduce Stress

Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing), 16(1), 19–23. Family Nurse Practitioner Internship - Saint Louis University, 1999 Family Nurse Practitioner Internship - Saint Louis University, 1999 APRN, Certified Nurse Practitioner, North Dakota, 2024 APRN, Certified Nurse Practitioner, North Dakota, 2024 APRN, Certified Nurse Practitioner, Rhode Island, 2024 APRN, Certified Nurse Practitioner, Rhode Island, 2024 Family Nurse Practitioner - American Nurses Credentialing Center, 2000 Family Nurse Practitioner - American Nurses Credentialing Center, 2000 Lean Six Sigma, Green Belt Certification, 2015 Lean Six Sigma, Green Belt Certification, 2015 Family Practice Medicine, specializing in chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension, obesity). Additional support and treatment of mental health diagnosis and men’s and women’s health. Family Practice Medicine, specializing in chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension, obesity). Caring for the whole person—understanding that true health extends beyond physical symptoms—has always been central to my work.

Hormonal Changes

As a nurse and family nurse practitioner, I’m passionate about empowering individuals to live their healthiest lives, physically, emotionally, and socially. Delivering compassionate, comprehensive care is not only my profession—it’s my purpose. In my spare time, I enjoy staying active and connected to nature through skiing, hiking, and spending time outdoors. I’m also an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and find joy in reading, sewing, baking, and creative hobbies that keep me inspired outside of work. “Don’t be shy about sharing changes in your libido, especially if they’re causing you distress.

And your sexual health matters as much as the rest of it.” Sign up for our Health Essentials emails for expert guidance on nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin care and more. Arousal without orgasm can be uncomfortable, but it’s no reason to pressure sexual interactions Some foods are thought to rev up your sex drive, despite lack of scientific evidence If anxiety is keeping you from having the sex life you want, communication, education and therapy can help Anorgasmia is a fairly common concern with a wide range of physical and psychological causes Your sexual history directly influences your physical, mental and emotional health in a multitude of ways ‘Safer sex’ means STI prevention, avoiding unintended pregnancies and psychologically safe practices for everyone It’s perfectly normal for gas pockets to ‘evacuate’ during the motions of sex Stay away from hand lotion and honey, but coconut oil can do the trick These tiny saltwater larvae can get trapped under your swimsuit and trigger an itchy reaction called seabather’s eruption Searching nature for edible items requires training and knowledge to avoid poisonous plants Yes, but you can protect yourself with hats, scarves or even hair sunblock Aging WellAllergiesCancer Care & PreventionChronic PainCold, Flu & Respiratory IllnessesDiabetes & EndocrinologyDigestiveEar, Nose & ThroatEye CareInfectious DiseaseLungOral HealthParentingPregnancy & ChildbirthRecipesRheumatology & ImmunologySenior HealthSex & RelationshipsSleepUrinary & Kidney HealthWeight Loss Rendered: Tue May 26 2026 05:11:35 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)