Sexual impulse varies considerably from one subject to another and a temporary reduction of sexual interest (Libid’s decrease) is common. It is often linked to transient problems such as stress. In other cases, however, the drop in sexual desire It represents a symptom of real pathologies.
There reduction from the libido may affect both the men that the women And it can put personal and couple stability at risk. It is in fact closely connected to excitement and a satisfactory sex life.
Symptoms of the drop in sexual desire
The Libid’s decrease It manifests itself with a decrease in the frequency and intensity of the sexual impulse, both spontaneously and evoked by sexual stimuli. The reduction is greater than what one might expect on the basis of the subject of the subject and the duration of the relationship.
Desire is linked to the health conditions and lifestyle of the subject, its hormonal levels and the intake of certain drugs as well as being influenced by various psychological factors (body experiences and presence of sexual images and fantasies etc.). The Libid’s decrease It is a condition characterized by deficit or absence of desire and sexual fantasies. It is a situation that creates discomfort and suffering both in those who live it and in the partner and can be specific or generalized to multiple partners.
The drop in desire It can manifest itself in two different disorders: hypotactive sexual desire disorder and sexual aversion disorder. In the first case, the subject has reduced or null sexual fantasies and little interest in sexual activity. However, it does not refuse intimacy as in the case of sexual aversion in which the individual experiences a real phobia with avoidance of sexuality.
Causes of the drop in libido
The causes of the drop in libido can be psychological or organic. It is necessary to make a correct sex anamnesis to understand the nature of the problem.
Organic and pharmacological causes
The most common physiological motivations can be traced back to hormonal imbalances with a decrease in testosterone production, an increase in prolactin production and hypothyroidism. The decrease or absence of sexual desire can also depend on numerous chronic diseases, such as uremia, liver failure and various tumors or from neurological causes (e.g. diabetes, multiple sclerosis, dysfunction of the spinal cord).
The drop in sexual interest can also be related to the abuse of alcohol and drugs (e.g. cocaine, opioids and heroin). The drugs that condition desire include antihypertensive, neuroleptic, anti -epileptic and some antidepressants (in particular the selective inhibitors of the Ricapation of Serotonin).
Sometimes, even the intake of oral therapy based on estrogen and hormonal contraceptives can cause a reduction in libido.
Psychological and physiological causes
Have negative thoughts on intimate relationships (e.g. performance anxiety, fear of unwanted pregnancies or to contract diseases) as well as depression and relationship problems and/or not very rewarding experiences (for example, due to the lack of sexual skills or poor communication of needs) can condition the sexual desire.
In the woman, the Libid’s decrease It can be associated with conditions of pain during sexual intercourse (Dispareunia) and impossibility of penetration by involuntary contraction of the vaginal wall (vaginism).
In addition, the reduction of sexual desire can be linked to some circumstances, such as phase of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause, quality of the relationship of couple and dissatisfaction with one’s body.
Pregnancy and menopause
In pregnancy, the maintenance of libido is subjective: some women express greater desire and continue to have relationships, while others prefer to reduce or cancel the frequency of relationships. Libido often becomes more difficult to recover in the postpartum when a great support is needed.
Also with hormonal variations and the new and constant commitment to look after the newborn increases the risk of mood disorders and drop in desire.
As regards menopause, systemic therapy with estrogen that began in time can improve mood and helps to maintain sexual sensitivity and vaginal lubrication. These benefits can increase sexual desire and excitement.
Man, on the other hand, as a result of a Libid’s decrease It could manifest a problem of erectile dysfunction. If it is not addressed, the decline in desire can go to negatively affect the psychological scope and the affective relationship of couple.
Treatment of the reduction of sexual desire
It may happen that over time we come not to cultivate complicity in the couple with consequent relational removal. This goes to condition intimacy And the lack of stimuli affect desire.
Know the Motivations of Libido’s decline It can help to understand what behaviors to take on to implement desire. It is necessary to pay attention not to neglect the feelings and mutual needs to maintain pleasure even in sexuality.
Before the problem aggravates and goes to interfere on the quality of life and the relationship of couple should proceed with an evaluation of your doctor. Based on the cause, doctors may suggest psychotherapy, prescribe a different drug or recommend a testosterone supplementary therapy.
Identify the primary causes of the disorder
It is necessary to proceed with a general, sexological and pharmacological anamnesis completed by a careful objective examination and the prescription of some hormonal dosages. It is necessary to frame the patient from an endocrinological point of view and be able exclude an organic cause of the lack of libido. To then possibly proceed with adequate therapy that intervenes on the causes that have determined it.
In some cases, when the problem is a symptom of a relational or psychological disorder, a psychotherapeutic path individual and/or couple. It is possible that the person experiences the drop in libido, a cause of emotional and relational conflicts which:
- Lack of desire for addication and scarce sexual skills of the partner (scarce sexual stimuli and little variety).
- Decrease in physical attraction towards the partner.
- Difficulty to tolerate psychological and/or physical intimacy in one or both partners.
- Couple conflicts (e.g. conflicts of power and relational dynamics passive-aggressive)
- Difficulty combining feelings of love with sexual desire. Some people can be with a partner who love, but who cannot estimate sexual point of view.
- Working problems (stress, poor gratification etc.). However, even the lack of use can lead to this result especially in man who bases his self -esteem on productivity.
Face the drop in libido
If the cause is of psychological origin, different therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapies, can encourage a resolution of the problem.
If there are elements that limit the trust, attraction and emotional intimacy between the partners, the couple must be informed that the latter is a physiological need for a woman’s sexual response and must be increased.
Can help for the Libid’s decrease Improve the relationship, in addition to identifying what the couple sexually stimulates. It is also useful to provide instructions on appropriate stimuli. Women may want non -physical, non -genital physical stimuli and a non -penetrative genital stimulation.
It may be necessary to highlight to the partner that women appreciate that preliminaries and attention in general to their needs are dedicated to time, to be ready for sexual activity.
Some couples come to search for new techniques or different activities (use of patterns and aid of erotic toys) to find more sexual stimuli.
Psychological therapy
Psychological therapy generally provides for a phase of psychoeducation to increase knowledge of sexual anatomy and the sexual response cycle. In addition, the therapist can be made use of relaxation techniques to reduce the anxiety of the subject such as, for example, diaphragmatic breathing and progressive muscle relaxation of Jacobson.
Some subjects find advantageous therapy based on self -awareness (Mindfulness meditation), which consists in learning to focus on what happens in the present.
Depending on what emerges from a careful assessment of the case, in particular according to the causal and maintenance factors of the disorder, a treatment plan is set.
In cognitive-behavioral treatment we proceed with a phase of cognitive therapy which aims to restructure the dysfunctional beliefs regarding sexuality (examination of beliefs and myths on sexuality) and a moment of behavioral therapy which is mainly based on one exposure gradual to sexual stimuli (sensory focus) without a judging approach and without setting performance objectives.
In general it is good practice to submit the drop in sexual desire The attention of your doctor or specialist (sexual consultant or psychotherapist) before it becomes a problem capable of conditioning individual and couple life.
