3 Major Reasons Why Women Suffer From Low Sex Drive

Social media can have you falling into the trap that everybody is having great sex, while you just can’t seem to get yourself interested. News flash: they’re probably not having great sex. In fact, they’re probably suffering from low sexual desire just like you are.

Low sex desire is a common problem in women, but our society just doesn’t talk about it enough. Other things might take precedence, or it can be embarrassing for women to admit to, especially as it isn’t much of a big talking point.

Researcher Sheryl A. Kingsberg conducted a survey data to show evidence of low sexual drive among pre- and postmenopausal women. The data concluded that 27% of premenopausal and 34% postmenopausal women were very unhappy with their present sex drive level. What was even more worrying is that despite the negative effects low sexual drive has caused them, most of the women did not seek medical help. The stigma of having low sex drive, coupled with it not even being a discussion point, has led to a lot of women suffering in silence.

Well, no more. Here at Fizzy Mag we want to create a safe space where women can understand that suffering from low sex drive is not something to be ashamed of. It’s a complex issue but not one to shy away from. As such, the following are three major causes of low sex drive in women.

1. PHYSICAL REASONS

Do you have a major illness? Are you on certain medications? Do you suffer from a recent physical change? These three things could be affecting your sex drive.

For example, certain prescription drugs, especially antidepressants, are often touted as big causes of low sex drive.

In addition to this, your lifestyle habits may not be helping either. Poor sleeping habits can seriously derail one’s sexual desire. Tiredness from caring for young children or other family members can lead to fatigue, as well as suffering from an ongoing ailment or recent surgery. If you’re someone who drinks alcohol - especially a lot of it - be mindful of the fact that it can negatively affect your sex drive, as do recreational drugs.

Change in one’s health can also affect your sex drive. For example, female hormones vary with age, and changes in the level of it may alter your interest in sex. This is usually the case during menopause, where estrogen levels drop drastically leading to dry vaginal tissue or painful sex. Hormones change after pregnancy, too, with breastfeeding commonly known to lower a woman’s sex drive.

Many women also testify to their use of birth control pills negatively affecting their sex drive. While women are told to change their pills if that is the case, costs of doing so as well as the time-consuming nature of finding the right pills can cause a lot of women to just ignore the issue altogether.

2. EMOTIONAL CAUSES

Your emotional wellbeing can affect your sexual drive. If you’re struggling at work or home life is difficult, it can be hard to maintain a healthy sex drive. Your mind is so busy dealing with worrying thoughts that it has no time to think about sex.

Given the current social media climate that we live in, plenty of women suffer from poor body image. This can negatively impact our perception of ourselves naked, which in turn wipes out any sexual drive that we may have had. Same goes for women suffering from post-traumatic stress, clinical depression, postpartum depression, or anxiety.

Toxic thoughts or toxic behavior can lead to anger, unhappiness, resentment, on top of a host of other negative feelings. These are all strong emotions that can often override our sexual desire or general longings for intimacy.

3. RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS

Sometimes it’s not you, it’s them. When you’re no longer mentally and/or emotionally present in your relationship, your physical desires go out the window too. Maybe your relationship or marriage is failing due to a number of reasons: unsettled fights, trust issues, poor communication, lifestyle habits etc. All these reasons can in turn cause lack of intimacy between you and your partner.

Often times people do not have open conversations with their other half about sex and their sexual preferences. It’s important to have these discussions in a safe, mature space. Perhaps all it takes is a bit of change or kink in the bedroom to get the ball rolling.

THINGS YOU CAN DO TO IMPROVE YOUR SEX LIFE

• Get yourself medically checked out to rule out any possible medical or physical causes that could be negatively affecting your sex drive. The culprit could be a current prescription that you’re on and a simple change of medication could be the answer. 
• Most of us can be healthier in some ways or another. A change in lifestyle habits, whether physical or psychological, can make all the difference. Exercising, adopting a more nutritious diet, meditating and seeking emotional support could all lead to increased sex drive.
• Address any relationship issues with your partner that have been on your mind. Do not just let it fester because the more you do, the less you’re likely to engage in sex. Let your partner know how you’re feeling and why you’ve been less intimate than usual. This could lead to a very healthy conversation that both of you know you need.
• Do not settle with having low sexual desires, no matter how long it’s been. Seek medical help, counseling, or forums where other women openly talk about shared problems with their libido. Do not suffer in silence, especially when you can do something about it.

Next Up, How To Increase Your Libido When You're On Antidepressants