Why do women stop wanting sex?
Nearly half of all women will suffer from lost libido.
A woman’s sexual desires naturally fluctuates over the years. Highs and lows commonly coincide with the beginning or end of a relationship or with major life changes, such as pregnancy, declining hormones, menopause, job stress, illness, relationship issues, or even medication.
Loss of sexual desire is also known in medical terms as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). This disorder is the most common form of sexual dysfunction among women of all ages, and less observed in men.
A recent study showed that nearly one-third of women aged 18 to 59 suffered from a lost interest in sex, and it’s not all in their heads.
When a woman loses interest in sex, the impact on both her and her partner can be catastrophic.
‘There is no question that this is causing depression and a whole host of headaches, pains and other apparently unconnected physical problems,’ says Mike Perring, a sexual psychotherapist at University College Hospital, London. ‘Good sex is part of general well-being for most people.’ Perring says that loss of sexual desire is a principal reason behind relationship breakdowns.
So what do experts believe lies behind this decline in women’s libidos? And can it be treated effectively?
Because woman’s desire for sex is based on a complex interaction of many components affecting intimacy (physical well-being, emotional well-being, experiences, beliefs, lifestyle and current relationship) it would be not only essential to obtain a detailed assessment in order to understand what factors are playing an important role, but also to know what actions should be taken to increase the sexual drive.
Here are some physical causes that women may experience which can lower the sex drive. These causes may include pain during sex or an inability to orgasm, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure or coronary artery disease. Don’t forget, too much alcohol and illegal drugs can also decrease your sex drive.
Although many women continue to have satisfying sex during menopause and beyond, some women experience a lagging libido during this hormonal change. Estrogen levels drop during the transition to menopause. This can cause decreased interest in sex and dryer vaginal tissues, resulting in painful or uncomfortable sex. At the same time, women may also experience a decrease in the hormone testosterone, which boosts sex drive in men and women. Hormone changes during pregnancy, just after having a baby and during breast-feeding can put a damper on one’s sex drive. Of course, hormones aren’t the only factor affecting intimacy during these times.
Fatigue, changes in body image and the pressures of carrying, or caring for a new baby can all contribute to changes in your sexual desire. The exhaustion of caring for others (young and old) or surgery related to your breasts or your genital tract can be a contributor.
Psychological Issues: There are also psychological causes of low sex drive, including;
Mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression
Stress, such as financial stress or work stress
Poor body image
Low self-esteem
History of physical or sexual abuse
Relationship Issues: For many women, emotional closeness is an essential prelude to sexual intimacy. So problems in your relationship can be a major factor in low sex drive. Decreased interest in sex is often a result of ongoing issues, such as:
Lack of connection with your partner
Unresolved conflicts or fights
Poor communication of sexual needs and preferences
Infidelity or breach of trust
In regard to approaching this sexual issue, recommendations may include sex education, counselling and sometimes medication. During the screening, as was mentioned before, it is important to know what type of medication the client is taking, and often a switch in medication can improve the sex drive. In addition, talking to the counsellor or therapist, he or she can often include education about sexual response, techniques and recommendations for reading materials or couples’ exercises to improve the sexual desire.
Medical treatment for low sexual desire has become increasingly popular. When considering treatments such as hormone therapy, it is very important to that you have a detailed discussion with your medical doctor and partner to determine if the treatment is safe and the best option for you and your partner.
Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/low-sex-drive-in-women/DS01043/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
http://marriage.about.com/cs/lowsexdrive/a/lowlibido.htm
Nappi, R. et al. (2010). Hypoactive sexual desire disorder: can we treat it with drugs? Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 25(3), 264–274.