Low Sex Drive In Women: Know The Causes And Symptoms

Introduction To The Causes Of Low Sexual Drive In Women

If you as a woman are trying to find out about symptoms of low sexual drive in women, and are reading this, and you have a lack of interest in sex that causes personal distress, you might have what is called sexual interest/arousal disorder or HSDD. 

You might know the feeling; sometimes you want sex, then you don’t. And that’s normal, and every woman has her idea of what “normal” is, based on experiences in the past and her biological makeup and drive. 

Let’s First Define What Low Sex Drive In Women Actually Is

Experts say that having sexual intercourse often has nothing to do with sexual desire. Jan Shifren, assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, says that he tells women that there isn’t a normal frequency or a set of behaviors.

Low sex drive in women who show a significant decrease in interest in sex, and it causes them distress – that’s when it is called HSDD.

Women having sex, who are sexually aroused and showing sexual desire, might notice that there is a swelling of the labia and clitoris.

Lots of mainstream media will say there is a difference when it comes to women having sex and men having sex, but there is not much difference. 

In a 2011 article on arousal disorders, it was said that emotional health has a big impact on arousal – that cognitive-behavioral therapy^[1] can be very effective for the treatment and causes of low sexual drive in women, and that includes arousal disorders.

Sexual desire and sexual drive are reflected by spontaneous sexual interests and thoughts, daydreams, and erotic fantasies. 

What are the causes of low sexual drive in women?

The biggest psychological cause of loss of libido in women or loss of sexual desire can be depression. Fatigue is another one and stress too. Women with body image problems also can experience a lack of sexual desire. 

There are more symptoms and causes of low sexual drive in women. Let’s look:

Physical symptoms of low sexual drive in women

• For women having sex, taking certain medications can often affect their sex drive.
• You are continually fatigued due to your lifestyle, e.g. work, family, commitments.
• Arthritis can lead to low sex drive, especially when your body aches too much.
• If you have coronary artery disease.
• Hormonal changes in your body, such as before or after pregnancy, or menopause.
• Diabetes has an impact.
• Also, when the testosterone or estrogen levels in your body are imbalanced.

Emotional symptoms of low sexual drive in women

• You are always anxious or depressed and have low self-esteem.
• You have a history of sexual abuse.
• You suffer from trust issues with your partner.
• Lack of intimacy from a partner.

Psychological symptoms of low sexual drive in women

• These are much the same as ‘emotional’ causes, e.g. mental health problems, stress, poor body image, lack of self-confidence, lack of intimacy, and a history of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, and previous negative sexual experiences.

Why Do Aging And Menopause Cause Low Sex Drive In Women And What Are The Symptoms Of Low Sex Drive In Women?

Loss of libido in women can certainly be a symptom of menopause. Menopause happens when a woman stops having her menstrual cycles, and her periods stop – permanently. 

The absence of menstruation due to menopause might be good news for many women, but these physical changes can be causes of low sexual drive in women. 

Millions of women no longer feel young, attractive, and sexy to their partners anymore. This can cause a lack of intimacy. Here are symptoms and side effects of menopause and low sex drive, which if you have low self-esteem can make these symptoms even more worrying to women: 

• Bladder control problems
• Anxiety and depression
• Decreased sex drive
• Problems with sleeping
• Hot flashes
• Weight gain
• Vaginal dryness and all over skin drying
• Thinning hair and bones

You can imagine how the above impacts women having sex and their relationships with their partners.

All of the above results are usually caused by decreased estrogen levels, which can even cause the vaginal tissues to become thinner and, therefore, less sensitive to sexual stimulation. A woman needs to talk to her doctor about how these conditions could affect her sex drive. 

Remember that a weak sex drive does not mean bad relationships; far from it, your relationship might be as strong as ever.

Sex drive among women varies greatly. Loss of libido in women can be improved by five fantastic natural herbs that we would like to introduce to you that can help to boost sex drive.

1. Maca (Lepidium meyenii)

Maca has a reputation as an herb that increases sex drive. It was used in the Peruvian Central Andes to improve fertility.

Early research shows that maca may help to reduce symptoms in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women because it can balance estrogen levels that can dip during these stages.

Overall, it helps with many female problems, such as loss of libido in women, plus it enhances energy and mental clarity.

2. Red clover (Trifolium pratense)

Red clover is known to increase sex drive as well^[2] – it’s an herb full of isoflavones; which are similar to female estrogen.

One study in the journal called Obstetrics and Gynecology International found that post-menopausal women who took 80 mg of red clover isoflavones over 90 days had increased libido, better mood, sleep, and energy.

3. Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng)

Ginseng is a number one Chinese medicinal plant – known to be an elixir for staying young and highly valued in the Far East as a sex rejuvenator.
Chinese healers say that ginseng doesn’t stimulate the sex glands to unnatural activity, but it is a restorer of normal healthy sexual function that has grown “tired”.

4. Tribulus (Tribulus terrestris)

This plant originated in Ayurvedic medicine and is known to be successful in naturally increasing female lubrication and sensitivity^[3]. One study found that 500-1500 mg of Tribulus for 90 days led to promising results in women having sex; i.e. increased sex drive. 

5. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum)

Since ancient times, fenugreek has been held in high esteem as a tonic to the reproductive system. Today, Turkish women still prepare honey and powdered fenugreek seed to improve their sexiness.

Another possible sex-rejuvenating property found in fenugreek is trimethylamine. Some scientific studies are showing that it acts like a sex hormone in frogs and causes them to prepare for mating.

Conclusion

The secret codes of female libido have been a hard nut to crack. Some experts believe it is a combination of factors that influence libido – mental, emotional, physiological, and physical issues.

Even though men also have the above problems, they are different from women – men let their members do all the talking! 

Women having sex need to get in the mood and if the mood is not right, it can cause loss of sexual desire. For women, there are a few sexual sex saboteurs that cause women to have a low sex drive as mentioned above: 

• Skimping on sleep
• Relationship issues such as lack of intimacy, etc.
• Being exposed to potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals and medications that can affect sex drive
• Your hormones might be imbalanced like you have had a baby, or you are menopausal – hormonal changes
• Drinking too much or smoking too much
• You don’t exercise 
• You have high levels of stress

 
It is not unusual for couples to have huge differences in their sex drives. Studies show that it is women who have been proven to have lower libido.

It can cause distress for both partners, putting the relationship at risk even, and often the cat and mouse dynamics in a relationship can dampen desire.

Often the negative feelings in women have more to do with the chase than the sex itself. If you are a woman reading this, then it might be you who has to take charge and change things, figuring out steps to make you have more passion and desire.

You can make feeling sexier a pet project. If you don’t, you might be missing out on the joys of feeling truly intimate with the person you love – don’t do it for anyone else – do it for you!