What are Female Libido Killers?
The female libido is now a pervasive issue as the lack of sex drive in women has become a common problem around the world. According to the American Medical Association, about forty-three percent (43%) of the women in the United States suffer from what is known as the ‘female arousal disorder’ or FSAD. In the UK, there have been reports of complaints from several hundred thousands of women suffering from lack of sexual desire while about fifty-five percent (55%) of women in Australia have admitted to having the same problem in the latest ‘Sex in Australia’ survey.
Fortunately, for many, the lack of libido in women is temporary. Most women will recover through exercise, proper diet and medication. For others, expert medical or psychosexual advice can be very helpful. It is important, however, to understand the conditions that cause libido in women dysfunctions so that the proper remedy may be applied. Although it may be difficult to make out a particular cause, as each woman is different, certain factors such as illnesses, stress, relationship problems, children and lack of physical ability are often identified as generic causes for the downslide in the sex drive of women.
Loss of the Libido in Women
The libido in women is rather feeble and is dependent on different internal and external factors. Unlike men's main sexual complaint, erectile dysfunction, women's biggest sexual problem is caused by a combination of both mental and physical factors, which aren't likely to be cured by merely popping a pill.
Psychological challenges are the usual cause of female libido dysfunctions. Anxiety, stress and depression are very common libido killers as they disrupt the wellness of the mind and body, which is necessary in maintaining the sex drive in women. Other factors that can dampen the libido in women are poor eating habits, unhealthy lifestyle, anemia diabetes, the use of contraceptives and drug addiction.
Depression
One very common effect of depression is a depressed libido in women. While a woman struggles with depression, it is natural for her to experience decreased sex drive. This is not unusual since clinical studies show that although there is little understanding of the relationship of depression and decreased libido in women, treating any one of these conditions is bound to improve the other. Regardless of the cause-and-effect relationships, doctors have come to the conclusion that depression and decreased libido in women are associated.
Stress
Most people who are stressed have very low sex dives. Stress works in the body in such a way that it enables the so-called flight or fight response. Part of this response is the release of hormones such as cortisol or epinephrine. When the stress response is not reversed immediately, it develops into chronic stress and interferes with other hormones that relate to sexual reception. Unfortunately for women, this often times results to very low libido in women.
Anxiety
A constant state of anxiety has been shown by studies to correlate with reduced sexual desire in both men and women. Like any other sex organ, the brain needs exercise to function at its best. Without the proper exercise of the emotional limbic centers of the brain, sex drives are most likely to deteriorate. Anxiety is one of the key factors that affect this part of the brain and is identified as one of the deterrents that reduce the possibilities for one to enjoy a healthy sex life.
Poor diet
Poor diet is one of the factors that impair the libido in women. Since diet plays a major role in one’s overall happiness and well-being, lack of proper nutrition can hamper a woman’s ability to interact socially and intimately. Depression and stress are usually the results of eating habit disorders and these are major factors that usually dampen a woman’s appetite for sex.
Unhealthy lifestyle
Women who drink, smoke and party all night are most likely to be less receptive to sex in the long run. Toxic overload from smoking and alcohol can be a big sex drive killer, while stress due to lack of proper rest can cause permanent frigidness and eventually lead to sterility.
Anemia
Anemia is a condition where there are an abnormally low number of red blood cells circulating in the body. Since it is the red blood cells that bring oxygen to all the body's organs, including the sex organ, being anemic can be major reason for reduced sex drive. Without the proper nutrients required, sex organs can become desensitized, thus, causing temporary female libido loss.
Diabetes
Diabetes reduces blood flow in the vagina. According to the American Diabetes Association, because dehydration is the symptom of diabetes, diabetic patients are most likely to produce less of natural lubrications, which cause the vagina to dry-up during sexual intercourse and eventually cause libido in women dysfunctions.
Use of contraceptives
The use of contraceptives is highly dangerous to the libido in women. Since the pill is used to prevent pregnancy, it functions so as to completely and artificially level out hormones in the woman’s body and eliminates the sexual peak in her ovulation cycle. This then could be a major cause for the impairment on her ability to respond to sexual stimulus and ultimately eliminate entirely her sexual drives.
Use of prohibited and regulated drugs
Prohibited drugs such as Opiates (cocaine, heroin) as well as Amphetamines (speed, crystal meth) are definitely female libido killers. Not only do they dampen a woman’s sex drive but they also cause dryness, which eventually leads to sexual discomfort.
Ecstasy, on the other hand, can be a sexual stimuli but the after and long term effects are dangerous to the libido in women. A woman may at the ‘point of use’ be over energized but soon after she will experience low serotonin, which can cause anxiety and depression. Again prolonged use of this drug will eventually lead to the same effects, but in cases like this, the damage is more permanent.
Some regulated or prescription drugs are also libido in women cripplers. Antidepressants such as Prozac can delay or curtail orgasm during sexual encounters. Blood pressure drugs as well as sedatives tend to lower the sex drive of women and antihistamines can affect lubrication and cause drowsiness; anti-seizure, anti-inflammatory, anti- cancer, antipsychotic and non-steroidal drugs are all libido in women killers.
How to revive the female libido:
- Make lifestyle adjustments (limit smoking and alcohol intake, and get ample sleep)
- Address relationship issues
- Do kegel exercises as they strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which can improve sensation and enhance sexual pleasure
- Consider a natural libido supplement
- Use a water-based lubricant
- Seek counseling when necessary
Click here to read about the symptoms of PMS