If you’re a woman that is struggling to get in the mood for sex, you’re not alone. There are many reasons why you might be battling with low libido, and each of these reasons is valid. It’s normal for women to have varying levels of libido throughout their course of life, and you can expect your libido to move in ebbs and flows over the course of your active sexual history. The fact is, most couples go through a period of tapering off, where they’re having less sex than they were in the beginning. With that in mind, here are five common causes of low libido in women:
Stress
Stress can really work against your libido levels. Even worse, numerous studies have shown that women are more likely to stress than men and are more likely to have longer episodes of stress. If you’ve got a lot going on in your life, it’s easy to put your sex life on the backburner. On the other hand, you might find yourself in bed with someone and being unable to concentrate on that person; perhaps your mind might be wandering to other things even during intercourse. If you find yourself struggling to get intimate and know that you’ve been stressed, understand that stress may be the culprit.
Pain
If you’re experiencing pain during sex, this is a clear indicator that something isn’t quite right. There are many reasons why you might be having pain during sex, and you should examine these read flags. For example, vaginal dryness could be the result of too much drinking, douching, or many other habits, however, the end result might be pain during sexual intercourse. Other medical issues, like pelvic floor dysfunction or normal adjustments in the body such as hormonal changes, could also make intercourse painful. If you feel pain when you have sex, don’t simply write it off. There could be a larger problem lurking beneath the surface.
Too Digitally Connected
It’s no secret that we live in a world where technology and social media dominate our lives. However, it’s certainly possible to be a little too hyper-connected to the digital world that exists in a small, box-shaped piece of tech. Think about: your cell phone is often the first and last thing you see during the day.
In fact, one survey even found that 70% of couples agreed that their phones interfered with their sex lives. To get turned off, it’s time to turn on. Put your phone on silent and give your partner some quality time. On the same token, it’s important that you don’t let technology be a barrier in your relationship.
You’re Insecure
Perceived body flaws are a major reason why you might be uncomfortable with sex. Your self-image has a huge effect on how you think and behave sexually. If you notice that you’re uncomfortable with your physical appearance, it’s time to work on building your self esteem.
Challenge your negative beliefs, be more kind to yourself, improve your physical and mental health. When necessary, adjust your lifestyle to address the self-image issues you’re having. For a while, this might mean accepting that you aren’t ready to be intimate because you need more time with yourself to work on any negative perceptions that are stopping you from living a more fulfilling life. This is totally okay.
Lack of Exercise
If you’re feeling sluggish and haven’t mustered up the energy for sex, the problem could be a lack of exercise. Exercise (or lack thereof) affects so many facets of our everyday lives. Not only does it help boost your mood and lessen stress, but it can also get your blood flow going and increase endorphins. The more that your body is able to produce those feel-good hormones, the better your blood flow will be, and the better your blood flow and endorphin production is, the more likely you are to be turned on in the bedroom.
The biochemical foreplay that occurs in your body isn’t just a myth. Case in point: one study from the University of Texas at Austin found that a group of women who rode a stationary bicycle for 20 minutes were more likely to be aroused by a sexy film clip than a group of women who filled out paperwork before watching the same clip. In the end, a healthy workout routine helps maintain a healthy sex drive.
