Introduction
There are many possible reasons for having a low sex drive (loss of libido). Treating the cause should help increase your sex drive.
Causes of a low sex drive
Some of the main causes of a low sex drive include:
- relationship problems
- stress, anxiety or depression ↗
- sexual problems like erectile dysfunction ↗ or vaginal dryness ↗
- pregnancy and having a baby – your hormone levels change when you're pregnant, and looking after a baby can be stressful and tiring
- lower hormone levels as you get older, particularly during the menopause ↗
- taking certain medicines, such as medicine for high blood pressure ↗ or antidepressants ↗
- using hormonal contraception ↗ like the pill, patch or implant
- drinking too much alcohol
Some long-term conditions can also affect your sex drive, such as heart disease ↗, diabetes ↗, an underactive thyroid ↗ or cancer ↗.
See a GP if:
- you're worried about your low sex drive
- you're taking a medicine or using hormonal contraception and you think it may be affecting your sex drive
- your sex drive does not return to normal after pregnancy
Treatments for a low sex drive
Treatment for a low sex drive depends on what's causing it.
A GP can advise you about help you can get and any treatments that might improve your sex drive.
| Cause | Possible treatments |
|---|---|
| Relationship problems | Relationship counselling ↗ |
| Sexual problems like vaginal dryness or erectile dysfunction | Medicines to treat the problem, such as vaginal lubricants or medicines to help you get an erection |
| Menopause | Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) ↗ |
| Mental health problems like depression | Antidepressants ↗ or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) ↗ |
| Medicine, contraception and health conditions | Changing to a different medicine or type of contraception, or discussing treatment options if you have a health condition |