How Women Can Increase Their Libido: 6 Expert Tips for Every Age

The best time to seek medical help with sexual health issues is the moment you become concerned about your reduced or non-existent desire for sex. Sometimes, the solution to your problem lies in changing your current medication or taking actionable steps to treat an existing chronic medical condition like diabetes or elevated blood pressure.

How Is Low Libido Diagnosed in Women?

In addition, depression triggered by living with a mental health disorder can lead to women experiencing sexual limitations and lowered libido. Treating reduced sex drive caused by a psychological disorder may require libido booster for women a medication change to medications that are considered sexually neutral. Medication should be administered in the lowest effective dosage to ensure the disorder is properly managed without having a negative impact on sexual health. Once an effective medication has been prescribed, a form of psychological therapy is used to help address symptoms of the disorder, such as low self-esteem, low self-image, distracting thoughts, and issues regarding fear of physical sensations. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy (MCBT) are two effective therapies for helping women overcome issues pertaining to arousal, libido, and sexual desire.

You’re taking other medications

If your reduced libido is due to relationship issues or poor communication, you may try couples therapy to address the problem together with your partner. Some women report that the use of supportive therapy methods was more impactful on their mental health improvement than medications. They credit the benefits of learning to communicate changing sexual needs in healthier ways by improving their sex life with their partner. You don’t have to allow your physical health, psychological health, or your romantic relationship to be negatively impacted by a low sex drive. If you want help, there are solutions available that can help you resume a satisfying sex life. Any time you feel distressed about a dip in your sex drive, you should seek the help of a professional who has experience helping women improve their sexual health. Getting a professional assessment will make it possible to receive medical treatment or even a referral to additional resources like sex therapy. Your medical doctor can help you reclaim your sexual comfort and connect you to additional helpful options. If you are worried about your decreased sex drive and lack of sexual arousal, Arizona Gynecology Consultants has plenty of resources available to help you discover what lies behind the changes you’re experiencing.

If you choose to consult with a physician, we will listen to your concerns and provide both help and compassion.

• Libido can be suppressed by hormonal imbalances.
• Social factors and cultural attitudes influence desire.
• Libido peaks during certain life stages.
• Open relationships may have different impact on desire.
• Physical touch and affection can stimulate libido.
• Medical conditions like thyroid issues affect desire.
• Nutritional deficiencies can diminish libido.
• Women with higher self-esteem tend to report higher desire.
• Overcoming past trauma can positively influence libido.
• Mindfulness can help women reconnect with sexuality.

Our team of trusted gynecologists is always willing to assist women on the journey to improved health and wellness. You should not be ashamed to reach out for professional help with sexual health concerns.

Contact us directly for Arizona Gynecology services and consultation.

Frequently asked questions

Low sex drive in women is an issue that can stem from one or many of the aforementioned causes, each of which may or may not be treatable with patient care by a physician. Your sexual health is the result of the complex interactions between your physical, emotional, and relational well-being at any given time. Therefore, it must be assessed thoroughly to pinpoint any dysfunction. If the cause of your low libido requires medical treatment, it is best to reach out for help sooner rather than later to complete the proper exams and testing necessary to safely and effectively treat the issue. Solutions can be medical, psychological, or sociological in nature.

Does low libido always mean a hormone problem?

If your libido is lower than you would desire and it causes you interpersonal distress, you should seek medical help. There are ways for physicians to assess your health to determine the cause of your decreased sex drive. Women who have medical reasons for low sex drive may find hormone therapy and lifestyle changes helpful in increasing their desire for intimacy. Impaired mental health is a major risk factor for decreased sex drive in women and often contributes to their struggles to maintain a healthy sex life. Depression and anxiety are closely linked to low libido in women, as are the medications that treat these issues, like antidepressants and antipsychotics. Tessa has been a Phoenix resident for over 15 years.

• 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.

She graduated from Arizona State University with undergraduate degrees in both Nursing and Biology. She worked as a Labor and Delivery nurse at Banner University Medical Center, beginning her career in Women’s Health. She continued to grow her practice and expertise by earning her Doctorate in Nursing Practice.

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When a physical issue causes a drop in libido, it is best to identify the problem and take steps to adjust for an improvement in sexual satisfaction. Seeking professional help is especially helpful for finding safe solutions to overcome the physical causes of a low sex drive. Fluctuations in hormone levels can reduce the desire for sex, especially in cases of menopause and issues with pregnancy and breastfeeding. When a woman’s estrogen levels drop, the body makes the transition to cease menses. When menopause sets in, many women become less interested in having sex due to vaginal dryness and painful sex resulting from low estrogen.

Medications for HSDD

Some women can and will still experience pleasurable sex during menopause, but others will experience a drop in libido. A similar situation can occur during pregnancy. During and after pregnancy, a woman goes through several phases of hormonal changes that can dampen sexual desire. Many who decide to breastfeed will continue to have elevated levels of hormones that lower their estrogen production so significantly that it can cause a lowered libido. A lack of sexual desire from hormonal fluctuations can be a drastic change for many women and their partners because a healthy sex drive is largely determined by hormonal balance. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration just approved bremelanotide as a new pharmaceutical treatment for pre-menopausal women with low libido. Marketed under the brand name Vyleesi, the injectable medication is used to treat what has been known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). It’s the second libido-enhancing medication on the market for women. (The first, Addyi, was approved in 2015 and is a once-a-day pill designed to increase sexual desire.) Statistics vary, but more than a third of women report having low or limited libido and 10 percent have HSDD.

Make sexual wellness a priority

Many suspected hormonal issues can be discussed with your doctor and detected through saliva and blood tests. In cases where sexual desire is caused by hormonal shifts, women may find solutions, including dietary changes, exercise, hormonal therapy, or a combination of these methods. Believe it or not, your mental state can impact your libido. There are numerous ways poor mental health can cause sex drive to diminish, including: Mental health disorders like depression and anxiety Chronic stress from issues surrounding money, work, or family When psychological distress is at the root of low sex drive, solutions can take on both medical and psychotherapeutic forms. Depending on the situation, there may be a need for a combination approach where both medicine and therapy are required to help women manage the mental issue blocking their sexual desire.

What creates high libido?

If you have an existing mental health diagnosis or suspect you may be suffering from poor mental health, speaking to your doctor can set you on the path to improved mental and sexual well-being. Many women lose interest in sex and intimacy when they don’t feel an emotional connection to their partner or spouse. Romantic relationship problems can take a major toll on a woman’s sex drive and leave both partners feeling frustrated and dissatisfied with the relationship. The decrease in sexual interest often results from longstanding issues that go unresolved, such as: Lacking an emotional connection to a partner or spouse When it comes to relationship issues, it is important to remember that sex (or lack thereof) affects both partners. In this way, a woman’s low sex drive can have serious consequences for a relationship if the issue goes untreated. Many — but, it’s important to note, not all — are looking for help to increase their sex drive.

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If you want your relationship to thrive, addressing sexual health issues with the support of your partner can help you both cope with difficult periods. Talking over your concerns with your partner allows you both to grant one another grace and compassion. In some cases, women with low sex drive receive a diagnosis of hypoactive sexual desire disorder or HSDD. HSDD leads many women to experience interpersonal distress and difficulty and can be caused by a combination of medical, psychiatric, or substance abuse problems. Women with HSDD often don’t feel desirable or have sexual desire for their partner.

Sexual Issues

Unfortunately, while this presents issues for many couples, the phenomena of HSDD and its impact often go unaddressed and untreated. Hypoactive sexual desire disorder, like other causes of low sex drive, can take a substantially negative toll on women’s quality of life. Therefore, it is an issue that researchers should study more thoroughly so they can understand and develop adequate solutions. Based on recent research, the recommended approach to treating HSDD is biopsychosocial, meaning that treatment focuses on healing the mind, body, and relationships to achieve better sexual health. Gynecologists and other sexual health professionals are often recruited to work in tandem with other clinicians to help women treat HSDD through complementary health approaches. We spoke with Stacy Tessler Lindau, MD, MA, a professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and an expert in sexual function who runs the University of Chicago Medicine’s Program in Integrative Sexual Medicine and WomanLab.org, to learn more about what this latest pharmaceutical option means for women. Q: When should women talk to their doctor about low sex drive?