Most people will experience decreased sexual desire from time to time, but for some, sexual desire remains low for the majority of the time. In this case, a sexual desire disorder may be impacting a person’s libido, which can cause serious issues in romantic relationships.
Along with low libido, sexual desire disorders can also affect physical function. In females, this can entail symptoms like vaginal dryness and inability to orgasm, while males will experience problems maintaining and achieving erections or delayed ejaculation. In most instances, sexual desire issues can be addressed with medication.
Sexual desire disorders can sometimes result from medical conditions, such as diabetes, or mental health issues like depression. In this case, treating the underlying condition can improve symptoms. When there is no contributing cause, doctors will typically recommend a medication to address the issue.
In males, drugs like sildenafil and vardenafil can facilitate erections. If lack of sexual desire is a problem, testosterone pills, patches, and gels can help increase it. In females, medications like buspirone can boost sexual desire, while ospemifene can improve vaginal dryness and prevent discomfort during sex. Along with oral treatments, vaginal suppositories called prasterone can also treat vaginal dryness.
Hormonal fluctuations can also negatively impact sexual desire in women. For pre-menopausal women, flibanserin (pills) and bremelanotide (injections) can help, while oestrogen can help women who have already been through menopause.
While the above treatments are often effective, accompanying medication with the following lifestyle changes may also increase sexual desire:
Working on your communication is also crucial. Effectively communicating your wants and needs to your partner can have a profound impact on the quality of your sexual relationship.