But how far down things go on the sex interest front is the real question. Most men maintain some interest in sex well into their 60s and 70s while others go even beyond that. Women, too, don’t automatically lose interest at a certain age. Sex is the reason why we’re all here, and a lack of interest can be a sign that something in wrong either down there or up there, as in the genitals or brain.
Stress and depression can rob sufferers of desire. It can also be stolen by a decrease in hormones in both men and women or medication side effects. In men and women, the lack of desire has a few culprits. Here are a few:
1) Sexual problems – Painful sex, inability to achieve orgasm or a medical issue like a sexually transmitted disease can sap desire.
2) Medical issues – There are many diseases that can affect libido. They include coronary artery disease, neurological disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis. Your partner’s halitosis also may be an issue.
3) Medications – Some antidepressants and anti-seizure medications are well-known libido killers. Ask a doctor.
4) Lifestyle – Alcohol may get some people in the mood, but too much of a good thing can kill the sex drive. Drugs are also known as both mood enhancers and mood killers. Tobacco can narrow the arteries, which can dampen arousal and ardor.
5) Fatigue – We work, play and then we take care of people, do projects, handle business and then are only too glad to fall into an exhausted sleep. Fatigue, whether through work, illness or even athletic competition, can sap libido.
Depression and Hormones
It’s often said that the sexiest part of the body is the brain. That’s particularly true if it’s not providing enough of the sex hormones that drive desire. If it happened without warning, it could be a sign of something serious. A doctor will have to conduct a detailed exam and patient history as well as run some lab tests to be certain of the issue.
Once any underlying medical issues are ruled out, it’s time to focus on stress and depression. Talk therapy is one way to help, and in combination with antidepressant medication, can help sufferers climb out of the valley caused by this chemical imbalance.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a little-known libido killer because it can cause extremely low testosterone levels. First, the doctor will have to diagnose the sleep issue, and then lab tests can determine whether testosterone is low enough to warrant testosterone replacement therapy. That may help restore the sex drive to normal levels.
Doctors can advise whether medications may inhibit the libido. Many drugs have little-understood effects on hormones, so it’s important to be candid about what drugs are being consumed, both legal and illegal, if that is the case.
Testosterone has been to affect the sex drive for men and women and can help with a variety of sexual issues. However, the long-term use of testosterone for women is unknown, so many doctors hesitate to recommend it, and then only if the woman has sufficient estrogen levels to support testosterone therapy. There is little research on post-menopausal women or those who have had breast or uterine cancer, liver disease or cardiovascular issues, causing the medical profession to hesitate recommending its use.
However, for women, testosterone therapy may be recommended if there is reduced sex drive, fatigue and depression associated with menopause that hasn’t been relieved by estrogen therapy. It’s also used if the patient is taking estrogen therapy but has a decreased sex drive with no other apparent issues.
Testosterone therapy can be administered in gels, creams, patches or pills, each with its own levels of safety. It’s also worth noting that testosterone medications for women have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States, so any recommendation would have to be for off-label uses.
Although testosterone plays a role in women’s sexual function, loss of libido may be attributed to vaginal dryness, decreased estrogen levels, chronic health conditions, medication effects, depression over the loss of a spouse or partner, conflict, stress, or moodiness.
If there’s a lack of interest in sex but the desire to have it is still there, it’s a good time to talk to a doctor. While there is no magic number for desire, its total absence is an issue unto itself and deserves some medical attention, if only to get to the root of the problem.
Treatment for Low Sex Drive
Before seeing your doctor, keep track of any sexual issues, including when you experience them and how often. This detailed information will help pinpoint certain conditions that may influence lack of libido.
Record any medications being taken, including over-the-counter medications, and when they are taken. Vitamins and mineral supplements should also be noted. Antidepressants are notorious libido killers, including Prozac, Paxil, Rexeva and Sarafem. Switching medications may help improve the sex drive.
It’s also a good idea to prepare some questions for the doctor. A two-way conversation on this delicate issue may elicit information that can help pinpoint a problem and find a path to a new situation.
In addition to talking about conditions, a doctor may perform a pelvic exam on a woman to see if such issues as thinning of the genital tissues or pain in the region can be a contributing factor. The doctor may be able to refer a patient to a sex therapist who can help with specialized treatment. These trained counselors can make recommendations on techniques and exercises that may help with stimulation.