“Libido, otherwise known as your sexual ‘drive’ or ‘desire’
varies from woman to woman and there is no right
or wrong level. It is normal for desire to fluctuate…”.¹

Umbrella
What may the Sexual Health and Libido Umbrella include?

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

Libido

What is libido?

DotS the definition of libido may vary. The (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s (JH) definition is:

Low Libido and HSDD

What are low libido and HSDD?

DotS the definition of low libido may vary. The Australasian Menopause Society’s (AMS) definition is:

“Low libido refers to diminished desire for sex. When clinically a problem it is referred to as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD)”.³

Different Differences

Is libido one-size-fits-all?

In Libido: What Is Libido? the JH elaborate on:

Cause

What may cause low libido in women?

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

“Desire for sex is based on a complex interaction of many things affecting intimacy, including physical and emotional well-being, experiences, beliefs, lifestyle, and your current relationship. If you’re experiencing a problem in any of these areas, it can affect your desire for sex”.⁵

In Libido the JH note:

In Sexual Difficulties In the Menopause the AMS explain:

“Hormones are rarely the only factor involved in desire-arousal problems and other factors need to be identified and addressed. These might include relationship issues, psychological factors, side effects of common medications, such as antidepressants, or health issues such as diabetes. Women often say that the physical changes that occur with ageing and/or menopause make them feel more self-conscious about their body, particularly in relation to sex. Other changes in a woman’s life, such as a partner’s midlife issues (including erectile dysfunction), teenagers in the house or leaving home, and parents dying or requiring care will affect sexual function”.⁷

Common or Not

How common is low libido?

The AMS note:

“Low libido is the most common sexual concern reported by women and is often inseparable from diminished capacity to become aroused”.⁸

Fluctuations

Can libido fluctuate?

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

“Women’s sexual desires naturally fluctuate over the years. Highs and lows commonly coincide with the beginning or end of a relationship or with major life changes, such as pregnancy, menopause or illness. Some medications used for mood disorders also can cause low sex drive in women”.⁹

Aging

Is there an association between aging and libido?

In Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. Ever since my periods stopped, my desire for sex has decreased. Is this normal? the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) explain:

“A. Sexual desire decreases with age in both sexes, and low desire is common in women in their 40s and 50s, but not universal. Some women have increased interest, while others notice no change at all. There is no major drop in testosterone at menopause”.¹⁰

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and libido?

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

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

• Menopause. Estrogen levels drop during the transition to menopause. This can make you less interested in sex and cause dry vaginal tissues, resulting in painful or uncomfortable sex. Although many women still have satisfying sex during menopause and beyond, some experience a lagging libido during this hormonal change”.¹¹

Treatment

How may low libido be treated?

The NAMS explain:

“If lack of interest is related to discomfort with intercourse, estrogen may help. What’s important to remember is that there is a full range of psychological, cultural, personal, interpersonal and biological factors that can contribute to declining sexual interest, so if the decline in desire is bothering you, tell your healthcare provider. A clinical evaluation can identify any underlying medical or psychological causes of low sexual desire, which then can be treated as appropriate”.¹²

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 medication and hormone therapy”.¹³

Menopausal Hormone Therapy

Is menopausal hormone therapy used to treat low libido?

In Looking After Yourself: Sex and Relationships – Managing Low Libido the JH note:

Testosterone

Is testosterone used to treat low libido?

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

BMS Statement on Testosterone, 02 March 2023

What does the BMS Statement on Testosterone, 02 March 2023, elaborate on about the use of testosterone to treat low libido?

The BMS Statement on Testosterone elaborates on:

Testosterone Podcasts/Videos

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Health Care Provider

What if I have low libido?

If you have low libido, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Libido: Managing & Treating Low Libido – Seek Advice the JH elaborate on:

Health Topics A-Z

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Links

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Sources

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