Libido

What is libido?

Your libido is your interest in sex and sexual desire. It’s normal for your libido to fluctuate, but when you have a sustained loss of interest in sex, it could indicate a variety of problems ranging from hormonal imbalances to mental health concerns.

Sustained or chronic low libido is known medically as hypoactive sexual desire disorder. You may find that you have no interest in sexual activity, including masturbation, and don’t have any sexual fantasies. If your loss of libido is troubling you or disrupting your life, contact Dr. Hanson for help.

Why do women lose their libidos?

There are many physical, hormonal, and psychological reasons you may lose your libido.

For example, the hormonal changes associated with menopause, pregnancy, and breastfeeding can disrupt your sex drive.

Some of the physical reasons for libido loss include:

• Physical changes like vaginal atrophy that make intercourse uncomfortable
• Medical conditions like high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, neurological disorders, and others
• Medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
• Lifestyle habits like smoking or excessive alcohol consumption
• Surgery
• Fatigue

Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and previous trauma may also inhibit your libido.

How is libido loss treated?

Dr. Hanson starts treatment with a comprehensive consultation to identify the cause of your libido loss. She talks to you about your life, overall health, and your symptoms, developing a thorough understanding of your concerns. She also orders blood work and in-office blood draws to check for hormonal imbalances and signs of other conditions that can disrupt your sex drive. In most cases, your results are ready within three days.

Once Dr. Hanson knows what’s causing your low libido, she offers customized treatments that may include medication, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), and counseling services. For example, if your issue is due to a hormone imbalance, BHRT can replace your lost hormones and relieve other symptoms like vaginal dryness that may be diminishing your sex drive.

You may also benefit from mental health support, such as counseling services and antidepressants to address emotional and mental health issues that may be interfering with your sex life.

Don’t let a low libido disrupt your wellness or quality of life. Call Hanson Clinic, PLC in Minneapolis or schedule a consultation online today.