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They might address your side effects by adjusting your dose or having you switch to another medication. Certain illnesses, such as cancer , can reduce your sperm production counts as well.

You may also consider seeing a marriage counselor or sex therapist about your issues. A study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that nonobese men with obstructive sleep apnea OSA experience lower testosterone levels. In turn, this leads to decreased sexual activity and libido. In the study, researchers found that nearly one-third of the men who had severe sleep apnea also had reduced levels of testosterone.

In another recent study in young, healthy men, testosterone levels were decreased by 10 to 15 percent after a week of sleep restriction to five hours per night.

The researchers found that the effects of restricting sleep on testosterone levels were especially evident between pm and pm the next day. Testosterone levels, which are linked to libido, are at their highest when men are in their late teens. In your older years, it may take longer to have orgasms , ejaculate , and become aroused.

Your erections may not be as hard, and it may take longer for your penis to become erect. This is because stress can disrupt your hormone levels. Your arteries can narrow in times of stress. This narrowing restricts blood flow and potentially causes ED. One study published in Scientific Research and Essays supported the notion that stress has a direct effect on sexual problems in both men and women.

Another study of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD found that the stress disorder increased their risk of sexual dysfunction more than threefold. Stress is hard to avoid. Relationship problems, divorce, facing the death of a loved one, financial worries, a new baby, or a busy work environment are just some of the life events that can greatly affect the desire for sex.

Stress management techniques , such as breathing exercises , meditation , and talking to a therapist, may help. Self-esteem is defined as the general opinion a person has about their own self. Low self-esteem , low confidence, and poor body image can take a toll on your emotional health and well-being. Not liking what you see in the mirror can even make you want to avoid having sex altogether.

Low self-esteem may also cause anxiety about sexual performance , which can lead to issues with ED and reduced sexual desire. Over time, self-esteem issues can result in larger mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and drug or alcohol abuse — all of which have been linked to low libido. Too little exercise or none at all can lead to a range of health problems that can affect sexual desire and arousal. Getting regular exercise may reduce your risk for chronic conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes, all of which are associated with low libido.

Moderate exercise is known to lower cortisol levels at night and reduce stress, which can help increase sex drive. On the other hand, over-exercising has also been shown to affect sexual health. In one study , higher levels of chronic intense and lengthy endurance training on a regular basis were strongly associated with decreased libido scores in men. Heavy alcohol drinking, or more than 14 mixed drinks in a week, has also been linked to a decrease in testosterone production.

Over a long period of time, excessive amounts of alcohol can reduce your sex drive. Drug misuse is also linked to a loss of sex drive. Find out where to get help for drug addiction.

Page last reviewed: 06 January Next review due: 06 January Loss of libido reduced sex drive. This page explains where you can get help and some common causes of a low libido.

Where to get help and advice a GP — they may be able to offer some helpful advice, or refer you to a specialist for an assessment and treatment a psychosexual therapist — a GP may be able to refer you an NHS therapist, or you could pay to see a therapist privately; find out more about what sex therapists do and how to find one a sexual health service ; find a service offering sexual health information and support Relate — a relationship support service that has online advice about sex and relationships , telephone and online counselling and local support services , as well as therapists you can pay to see Sexual Advice Association — a sexual health charity that has online factsheets about sex problems Try to not feel embarrassed about getting help.

Common causes of a low libido Relationship problems One of the first things to consider is whether you're happy in your relationship. A low libido can be the result of: being in a long-term relationship and becoming overfamiliar with your partner loss of sexual attraction unresolved conflict and frequent arguments poor communication difficulty trusting each other physical sexual problems A GP may be able to refer you and your partner for relationship counselling if you're having persistent problems, or you may wish to contact Relate for support and advice.

Sexual problems Another thing to consider is whether the problem is a physical issue that makes sex difficult or unfulfilling. For example, a low sex drive can be the result of: ejaculation problems erectile dysfunction vaginal dryness painful sex an inability to orgasm involuntary tightening of the vagina vaginismus Stress, anxiety and exhaustion Stress, anxiety and exhaustion can be all-consuming and have a major impact on your happiness, including your sex drive.

You may find some of the following information and advice useful: Why am I tired all the time? Getting help with anxiety, fear or panic Self-help tips to fight tiredness 10 ways to reduce stress Breathing exercises for stress Depression Depression is very different from simply feeling unhappy, miserable or fed up for a short time.

In addition to low libido, signs of depression can include: feelings of extreme sadness that don't go away feeling low or hopeless losing interest or pleasure in doing things you used to enjoy It's important to see a GP if you think you might be depressed.

Getting older and the menopause A reduced sex drive is not an inevitable part of ageing, but it's something many men and women experience as they get older. There can be many reasons for this, including: lower levels of sex hormones oestrogen and testosterone just before, during and after the menopause in women lower levels of sex hormone testosterone in men age-related health problems, including mobility problems side effects of medicine Speak to a GP if you're concerned about this.

Pregnancy, giving birth and breastfeeding Loss of interest in sex is common during pregnancy, after giving birth and while breastfeeding. This can be because of: changes to your hormone levels changes to your body and issues with your body image exhaustion painful sex caused by an injury, such as a cut or tear, during childbirth changed priorities, such as focusing on looking after your baby These issues may improve over time.

Underlying health problems Any long-term medical condition can affect your sex drive. For example, a low libido can be associated with: heart disease diabetes an underactive thyroid — where the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones cancer major surgery — for example, surgery to remove the ovaries and womb in women Speak to a GP or specialist if you think your low libido may be the result of an underlying medical condition or treatment.

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This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Women's sexual desires naturally fluctuate over the years. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Frequently asked questions. Women's health FAQ Your sexual health. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Accessed Nov. Shifren JL. Sexual dysfunction in women: Epidemiology, risk factors, and evaluation.

Longo DL, et al. Sexual dysfunction. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. New York, N. Hoffman BL, et al. Psychosocial issues and female sexuality. In: Williams Gynecology.