Sex drive or libido, differs from individual to individual and there is no standard for what is 'normal'. How often we have sex or want sex depends on our individual circumstances and relationships.

Our general health and emotional health has an impact on libido. Difficult events in life, which create stress or change, may cause us to temporarily lose interest in sex. Moving house, having a new baby, and feeling tired all the time or suffering from work-related or other stresses can affect our sex drive. This may be temporary and once the crisis passes, the situation usually gets back onto an even keel.

However, more serious problems may point to difficulties in the relationship and outside help may be required to resolve these difficulties.

As with other sex problems, low libido can have a physical or psychological cause.

The psychological causes of decreased libido can be very complex. Has an individual gone off sex itself or is it lack of interest in their partner? The desire for sex may still be there but the attraction towards that particular partner may be declining.

The most common cause of temporary erection problems is anxiety, particularly regarding your worries about how you are going to 'perform'.

Serious or chronic illness can affect our sex drive and there may be direct biochemical causes. Medication can also affect libido. Blood pressure tablets, antidepressants, medication for treating psychosis, hormone therapy and painkillers have all been documented as causing loss of libido.

 

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