More than 30% of women in the age group of 18- 50 suffer from low sex drive due to hormonal imbalance, stress, relationship issues and many other problems. In medical terms, low sex drive in women is known as HSDD or hypoactive sexual desire disorder. There is no easy treatment available for HSDD, since the sexuality of women is complicated, both psychologically and physically. A woman should take time to analyze what is affecting her physically and emotionally leading to her lack of interest in sex. The reasons for decreased libido may vary from woman to woman. Before trying to treat it, it is extremely important to identify the cause of the problem. Here are some most common causes of HSDD.
Physical Exhaustion
Balancing work at home, office and taking care of the family may physically take its toll on the women, bringing down her sex drive.
Hectic Lifestyle
Professional women who have hectic work schedule with less time for leisure and fun gradually lose their sex drive, in some cases just because they don’t have time for it.
Stress
Stress brings on the fight or flight response in our bodies which releases hormones cortisol, epinephrine and adrenaline. If not treated in earlier stages, the condition could develop into chronic stress which can affect libido in both men and women.
Anxiety
A woman who is going through anxiety and fear will not be able to think about sex. It can also dampen the sexual pleasure when it happens.
Depression and Anti-Depressants
Depression is an illness that brings on the feelings of extreme sadness and creates lack of interest in activities of everyday life including sex. Anti-depressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors come with side-effects which include loss in libido.
Parenting Problems
Women having parenting problems like, adjusting to the demand s of the new born, handling teenagers or having trouble managing temper tantrums can experience lack of interest in sex.
Painful Intercourse
Painful intercourse due to dry vagina, vulvar vestibulitis or any other condition leaves the woman scared and not wanting to go through the feeling of burning, tearing and stinging raw skin in the vagina. No wonder it leads to lack of interest in sexual activities.
Childbirth
The demands of the new baby and breast feeding can leave the woman wanting to rest rather than have sex. The physical changes can bring down her confidence, which may affect her libido.
Inability to Reach Orgasm
Inability to reach an orgasm or enjoy the pleasure of sex can dampen the sex drive, as the woman does not feel attracted to the act.
Bad Relationship
Unlike men, women cannot enjoy sex or want it if they are going through a bad relationship that lacks trust, love and romance.
Menopause
The hormonal changes during menopause along with the symptoms like dry vagina, mood swings and other emotional causes may decrease libido to the lowest level in women.
Illness
Surgeries, hypertension, diabetes, cancer and other major illnesses are known to kill the sex drive in the women. STD’s are also dampeners of sexual desires.