Loss Of Libido

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 increase your sex drive.

Sexual Health Advice

Throughout this series we have help and advice on staying healthy, dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections, the risks of each type of the most popular gay sex and what to do if the sex you have is not consentual. The topics covered in this series include:

	This item was in brought to you association with NHS website. Follow the links above for more information and don't forget to check out OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health which features items on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. This week our topic is: L - Lung Cancer.
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