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Libido can change at different periods of life, and these changes are often associated with both everyday circumstances and health conditions. It can be affected by stress, fatigue, or changes in relationships, as well as hormonal fluctuations, certain diseases, and medications. Therefore, decreased sexual desire should not be viewed as an isolated problem.

In this article, we will explain what libido is, what it depends on in women and men, and why it can change. We will also explain how to assess your condition, what may help restore sexual desire, and when you should see a doctor.

What Is Libido

Libido is the level of sexual desire, meaning the desire for sexual intimacy. There is no single standard for libido. The level of desire can vary considerably from person to person and may increase or decrease throughout life under the influence of different circumstances.

It is important not to confuse libido with physiological arousal. A person may experience desire but have difficulty with the body’s physical response, or conversely, physiological arousal may occur without pronounced sexual desire.

Therefore, it is not correct to assess libido only by the frequency of sexual activity. It is more important to pay attention to whether the usual level of desire has changed and whether this causes discomfort.

What Is the Difference Between Libido in Women and Men

Libido in women and men has much in common: in both cases, it depends on physical and emotional condition, well-being, relationship dynamics, and life circumstances. At the same time, age-related, hormonal, and physiological changes may affect the nature and intensity of desire differently.

Therefore, comparing female and male libido as «higher» or «lower» is not appropriate. It is much more important to consider a person’s individual characteristics, their usual level of sexual desire, and any changes that have appeared recently.

Which Hormone Is Responsible for Libido in Women

There is no single hormone in women that determines sexual desire. Testosterone is most commonly associated with it, but estrogens and overall hormonal changes in the body are also important.

Testosterone can directly affect sexual desire. Estrogens are more closely associated with comfort during intimacy: they affect vaginal lubrication and the condition of the vaginal mucosa. Therefore, for example, during perimenopause or menopause, low libido in women may be accompanied by dryness, discomfort, or pain during sexual intercourse.

For this reason, libido in women is not assessed based on the level of a single hormone. If sexual desire has noticeably decreased and this persists for a long time, it is important to consider not only laboratory test results but also other changes in well-being.

Which Hormone Is Responsible for Libido in Men

In men, the main hormone associated with sexual desire is testosterone. With a pronounced deficiency, sexual desire may indeed decrease, but this is only one of the possible causes.

Libido in men is also affected by sleep quality, stress levels, chronic diseases, psychological state, and the use of certain medications. Therefore, loss of sexual desire alone does not necessarily mean that the problem is caused by testosterone.

If decreased sexual desire is accompanied by erectile dysfunction, pronounced fatigue, or other changes in well-being, a doctor may recommend checking hormone levels. Further management is determined based on the diagnostic results.

Causes of Decreased Libido

Causes of decreased libido

According to the National Health Service (NHS), the most common causes of decreased libido include:

  • stress, anxiety, and depression — psycho-emotional strain can noticeably reduce interest in intimacy;

  • chronic fatigue and lack of sleep — especially during prolonged physical or emotional strain;

  • relationship problems — conflicts, loss of emotional closeness, or dissatisfaction with the relationship;

  • hormonal changes — decreased levels of sex hormones, thyroid dysfunction, and other hormonal disorders;

  • pregnancy, the postpartum period, and breastfeeding — due to hormonal changes, fatigue, and lack of sleep;

  • menopause — decreased estrogen levels may be accompanied by vaginal dryness, discomfort during intimacy, and reduced sexual desire;

  • chronic diseases — including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and hypothyroidism;

  • use of certain medications — including some antidepressants and medications used to treat arterial hypertension;

  • pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse, vaginal dryness, erectile dysfunction, or difficulty achieving orgasm;

  • excessive alcohol consumption or use of psychoactive substances.

Some people have several contributing factors at the same time, so the cause of decreased sexual desire cannot always be determined based on a single symptom or laboratory test.

Libido During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, libido may either decrease or increase. This is normal: sexual desire often changes throughout different trimesters and depends not only on hormonal changes but also on well-being, fatigue levels, perception of changes in the body, and emotional state.

During the first trimester, sexual desire often decreases because of nausea, drowsiness, and general fatigue. During the second trimester, many women feel better, so sexual desire may return or become more pronounced. In later pregnancy, it may decrease again because of physical discomfort, an enlarged abdomen, shortness of breath, or increased fatigue.

It is important to understand that changes in libido during pregnancy do not in themselves indicate a disorder. They vary from woman to woman, and a lack of sexual desire during certain periods does not require treatment. However, if changes in sexual desire are accompanied by pain during intimacy, vaginal bleeding, or other unusual symptoms, this should be discussed with an obstetrician-gynecologist.

How to Determine Your Libido Level

There is no universal standard for sexual desire in medicine. Therefore, when it decreases, it is important to assess not how often a person desires intimacy compared with others, but how much their usual level of sexual desire has changed and whether this causes discomfort.

At the same time, high libido is a more pronounced sexual desire that is not considered a disorder in itself. It requires medical attention only if the desire becomes obsessive, difficult to control, or begins to interfere with everyday life.

To better assess your condition, pay attention to:

  • how often sexual desire occurs and whether it has become noticeably weaker or stronger;

  • whether interest in intimacy with a partner remains;

  • whether sexual fantasies or spontaneous sexual desire occur;

  • whether intimacy is pleasurable;

  • how long ago the changes began and whether they are associated with certain events, an illness, or the start of a medication;

  • whether the situation concerns the person and whether it affects their relationship.

Such a libido test can help identify certain changes, but it does not replace a consultation with a doctor.

Doctors at «Oxford Medical» note: if decreased libido persists for a long time or is accompanied by other changes in well-being, it is worth undergoing an examination. Depending on the symptoms, the doctor may prescribe laboratory tests, including measurement of sex hormone levels, thyroid hormones, glucose, and other indicators. The scope of the examination is determined individually after a consultation and medical history assessment.

How to Increase Libido

There is no universal way to increase libido quickly. The approach depends on what has caused the decrease in sexual desire. If the cause is related to fatigue or lifestyle, restoring adequate sleep and reducing physical or emotional strain may sometimes be sufficient. If the problem persists, it is important not to mask it with stimulating products but to determine whether treatment is needed. 

You can start with several practical steps:

  • establish a healthy sleep schedule and regular rest;

  • add moderate physical activity, especially if your lifestyle is predominantly sedentary;

  • reduce chronic overload and find ways to manage stress;

  • do not ignore symptoms that make intimacy uncomfortable;

  • pay attention to your relationship with your partner if decreased sexual desire is associated with conflicts or loss of emotional closeness.

Doctors at «Oxford Medical» recommend: do not rely on vitamins, dietary supplements, or products that promise a rapid increase in libido. Their effectiveness is often not proven, and using products containing hormones, stimulating ingredients, or substances of unknown composition without medical supervision may cause adverse reactions and be dangerous to health.

How to Increase Libido in Women

In women, restoring sexual desire is not limited to taking stimulating products. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), if vaginal dryness or discomfort interferes with intimacy, lubricants and vaginal moisturizers can be used.

When looking for an answer to the question of how to increase libido in women at home, it is worth considering another feature: sexual desire does not always arise spontaneously before intimacy begins. In some women, it increases during emotional and physical contact, so sufficient time for arousal, comfort, and the absence of pressure to engage in sexual activity are important.

If pain recurs or there is pronounced dryness, changes in the menstrual cycle, or symptoms of menopause, a gynecologist consultation is needed. The doctor can determine the cause of the symptoms and, if necessary, select treatment, including measures to relieve dryness or therapy for menopausal symptoms.

How to Increase Libido in Men

There is no single product that safely increases sexual desire in all men. If general measures — normalizing sleep, physical activity, and reducing fatigue — do not produce results, further management depends on the specific disorder.

If testosterone deficiency is confirmed, a doctor may prescribe hormone therapy, which can help restore sexual desire in some men. Testosterone should not be taken without medical supervision, because this treatment has specific indications and requires medical monitoring.

Doctors at «Oxford Medical» warn: medications used to improve erections are not treatments for increasing libido. They may help with erectile dysfunction, but they do not increase sexual desire itself if its decrease has another cause.

If sexual desire remains decreased despite lifestyle changes, it is worth starting with an appointment with a urologist. The doctor will determine whether treatment is needed for a hormonal disorder, erectile dysfunction, or another condition affecting sexual function.

When to See a Doctor

When to see a doctor

A short-term decrease in sexual desire does not always require an examination. You should see a doctor if the changes persist for a long time or begin to affect your well-being, relationships, or sex life.

Do not postpone a consultation if:

  • sexual desire has decreased suddenly without an obvious reason;

  • the changes persist and do not resolve after rest or lifestyle adjustments;

  • intimacy is accompanied by pain or other discomfort;

  • a woman has simultaneous changes in her menstrual cycle, hot flashes, or other symptoms of hormonal changes;

  • a man develops persistent erectile dysfunction or other changes in sexual function;

  • decreased sexual desire began after a new medication was prescribed;

  • pronounced fatigue, changes in body weight, mood, or other unusual symptoms appeared at the same time.

You can start with a consultation with a family doctor, gynecologist, or urologist — depending on the symptoms. If there are signs of an endocrine disorder, an endocrinologist consultation may be required. In cases of pronounced anxiety, depressed mood, or relationship difficulties, consultation with a psychotherapist may be helpful.

Libido can change throughout life, and a decrease does not always indicate a problem. If the changes persist, cause discomfort, or are accompanied by other symptoms, it is important to see a doctor and determine the cause.

The information in this article is provided for informational purposes and is not an instruction for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. If symptoms of a disease occur, you should consult a doctor.

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