Sexual Health and Libido

“Sex drive (also known as libido or sexual desire),
is your level of interest in sexual activity.
It’s normal for your sex drive to go up and down…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Sexual Health and Libido Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Decreased Libido
  • Decreased Sex/Sexual Desire/Drive/Interest
  • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
  • Female Sexual Interest-Arousal Disorder (FSIAD) [HSDD + Female Sexual Arousal Disorders]
  • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder/Dysfunction (HSDD)
  • Lack of Sexual Desire/Drive/Interest
  • Libido
  • Low Libido
  • Low Sex/Sexual Desire/Drive/Interest
  • Sex/Sexual Desire/Drive/Interest
  • Sexual Interest-Arousal Disorder

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)

What is Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)?

DotS the definition of HSDD may vary. In Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) the American Sexual Health Association’s definition is:

Sexual Health and Libido“Sometimes you want sex, sometimes you don’t. That’s normal. Everyone has their own level of what is considered “normal” based on their own experiences and biological drive. But when a woman has a low libido or low sexual desire and is bothered by this lack of interest in sex, she may have a condition called hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).

HSDD is defined as the absence of sexual fantasies and thoughts, and/or desire for or receptivity to, sexual activity that causes the personal distress or difficulties in her relationship. This distress is an important component. After all, some women with what is considered a low libido may not have any distress or problems with a partner as a result”.2

Libido

What is libido?

DotS the definition of libido may vary. In What Can Affect Your Sex Life? What Is Sex Drive (Libido)? the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s (JH) definition is:

“Sex drive (also known as libido or sexual desire), is your level of interest in sexual activity. It’s normal for your sex drive to go up and down at different times and for different reasons”.3

Cause

What may cause low libido in women?

In Low Sex Drive In Women: Symptoms & Causes – Causes the (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

“Desire for sex is based on a complex mix of many things that affect intimacy. These factors include:

  • Physical and emotional well-being
  • Experiences
  • Beliefs
  • Lifestyle
  • Your current relationship

If you have challenges in any of these areas, it can affect your desire for sex”.4

Common or Not

How common is low libido?

The Australasian Menopause Society note:

“Low libido is the most common sexual concern reported by women and is often inseparable from diminished capacity to become aroused”.5

Fluctuations

Can libido fluctuate?

In Low Sex Drive In Women: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“Women’s levels of sexual desire change over the years. It’s common for highs and lows to happen along with the start or end of a relationship. Or they can happen with major life changes such as pregnancy, menopause or illness. Some medicines used for conditions that affect mood also can cause low sex drive in women”.6

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and libido?

In Low Sex Drive In Women: Symptoms & Causes – Causes: Hormone Changes the Mayo Clinic explain:

Libido“Changes in your hormone levels may alter your desire for sex. This can occur during:

  • Menopause. Estrogen levels drop during menopause. This can make you less interested in sex and cause vaginal dryness, leading to painful or uncomfortable sex. Many women still have satisfying sex during menopause and beyond. But some have a lagging libido during this hormone change”.7

Treatment

How may low libido be treated?

In Low Sex Drive In Women: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“Most women benefit from a treatment approach aimed at the many causes behind this condition. Recommendations may include sex education, counseling, and sometimes medicine and hormone therapy”.8

The JH explain:

“If you are worried about your sex drive, see your doctor. They will check if any physical conditions or medicines might be causing the problem. They may also refer you to a counsellor, psychologist, sexologist or relationship therapist”.9

Testosterone

Is testosterone used to treat low libido?

DotS the answer to this question may vary. Some clinicians may prescribe testosterone to treat low libido and/or some menopause symptoms.

Other clinicians may only prescribe testosterone for the treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD).

It can therefore be in your best interest to check the Source and date of the testosterone information you are referring to.

Your Country may have recent information similar to:

Addyi

What is Addyi (Flibanserin?

In FDA Approves Expanded Use of Flibanserin for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder In Women, dated 15 December 2025, the author elaborates on:

“The FDA has approved Addyi (flibanserin 100 mg) for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in women younger than 65 years, according to an announcement from Sprout Pharmaceuticals. The decision expands the drug’s original indication and represents the first FDA approval specifically extending pharmacologic treatment options for postmenopausal women with HSDD”.10

Health Care Provider

What if I have low libido?

In Low Sex Drive In Women: Diagnosis & Treatment – Diagnosis the Mayo Clinic explain:

“If low sex desire concerns you, talk with your gynecologist or another member of your healthcare team. For some women, low sex drive is part of an ongoing condition called sexual interest-arousal disorder. It involves having at least three of the following symptoms, which cause sadness or anxiety:

  • No desire to have any type of sexual activity or to masturbate
  • Few or no sexual thoughts or fantasies
  • Not wanting to make the first move in a sexual encounter with a partner
  • Less or no pleasure during sexual activity
  • Less or no interest in any sexual or erotic cues from a partner
  • Few or no physical sensations during sexual activity in most sexual encounters

You don’t have to fit this definition to reach out for help. Your healthcare professional can look for reasons that your sex drive isn’t as high as you’d like”.11

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Sexual Health and Libido?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Sexual Health and Libido?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

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  5. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  6. BMS Statement on Testosterone
  7. Balance Between Excitement, Inhibition Key To Treat Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
  8. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Changes In Sexual Health After Cancer
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  11. Don’t Believe the Hype. Menopausal Women Don’t All Need To Check – or Increase – Their Testosterone Levels
  12. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM): Unmet Needs, Treatment Gaps, and Opportunities for Better Care
  13. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences
  14. FAQs: Intimate Partner Violence
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  16. FDA Approves Expanded Use of Flibanserin for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder In Women
  17. FDA Direct: Removing Black Box Warnings for HRT (Part 1/2)
  18. Flibanserin Oral Route [United States]
  19. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  20. Find A Practitioner [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  21. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  22. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
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  28. How Vaginal Hormones Can Transform the Health of Women
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  35. Is Testosterone Just for Men? The Science of Women’s Hormones & Health | Susan Davis | EP #379
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  37. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Sexual Wellbeing, Intimacy and Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Is the End of Your Sex Life]
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  54. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2025: The Burn, the Itch, the Pain, the Urge: GSM In Women
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  72. The Menopause Society Show: Menopause and Sexual Desire [20 March 2026]
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    Sexual Health and Libido

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. What Can Affect Your Sex Life? Sexual Desire (Libido). Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/sex-sexual-health/what-can-affect-your-sex-life#sexual-desire-libido Accessed: 03 April 2026
  2. Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD). 03 February 2026. American Sexual Health Associationhttps://www.ashasexualhealth.org/hypoactive-sexual-desire-disorder/ Accessed: 03 April 2026
  3. What Can Affect Your Sex Life? What Is Sex Drive (Libido)? Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/sex-sexual-health/what-can-affect-your-sex-life#sexual-desire-libido Accessed: 03 April 2026
  4. Low Sex Drive In Women: Symptoms & Causes – Causes. 07 March 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-sex-drive-in-women/symptoms-causes/syc-20374554 Accessed: 03 April 2026
  5. Sexual Difficulties In the Menopause. March 2021. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/sexual-difficulties-in-the-menopause Accessed: 03 April 2026
  6. Low Sex Drive In Women: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 07 March 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-sex-drive-in-women/symptoms-causes/syc-20374554 Accessed: 03 April 2026
  7. Low Sex Drive In Women: Symptoms & Causes – Causes: Hormone Changes. 07 March 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-sex-drive-in-women/symptoms-causes/syc-20374554 Accessed: 03 April 2026
  8. Low Sex Drive In Women: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment: Hormone Therapy. 07 March 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-sex-drive-in-women/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374561 Accessed: 03 April 2026
  9. What Can Affect Your Sex Life? Getting Help. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/sex-sexual-health/what-can-affect-your-sex-life#sexual-desire-libido Accessed: 03 April 2026
  10. Ebert, M. FDA Approves Expanded Use of Flibanserin for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder In Women. 15 December 2025 https://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/view/fda-approves-expanded-use-of-flibanserin-for-hypoactive-sexual-desire-disorder-in-women Accessed: 03 April 2026
  11. Low Sex Drive In Women: Diagnosis & Treatment – Diagnosis. 07 March 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-sex-drive-in-women/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374561 Accessed: 03 April 2026
Topic Last Updated: 03 April 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 03 April 2026

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