By libido is meant a person’s overall sexual drive or desire for sexual activity. Libido is influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. Official labels for low libido are Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), Hyposexuality, and Sexual Aversion Disorder (SAD).
The term low libido is used to describe a decrease or absence in sex drive which can interfere with sexual activity. Low libido can cause tension in a relationship, or even infertility, but it can often be treated if the underlying cause is identified.
Low libido is sometimes caused by a single factor but more often it’s related to multiple issues. Some of the common causes can be lifestyle and relationship issues, pregnancy, menopause, medical conditions, medication, low testosterone, depression, sexual trauma, chronic illness, low self-esteem, disparity of sexual desires between partners, poor communication of sexual needs and preferences, and many forms of stress and tiredness.
Mind that, for men, low libido should not be confused with erectile dysfunction, although both can co-occur.
Treatments of low sex drive can vary and may involve psychotherapy, hormonal treatments, herbal treatments and aphrodisiacs, lifestyle changes, sex counseling, genital massage and bodywork, or the adjustment of existing medical (drug) therapies.
