A lack of sexual desire can negatively affect romantic relationships and reduce a person’s quality of life. While it’s common for sexual desire to increase and decrease based on mood and circumstances, a sexual desire disorder involves an ongoing low libido or disinterest in sex.
Sometimes referred to as a hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), understanding how and why a continuous lack of sexual desire occurs is key to finding a solution for the issue.
If you experience decreased sexual desire, consulting with your doctor can be a good first step. They may introduce you to symptoms like:
Diagnoses can differ based on gender, as men are considered to have HSDD when they’ve experienced symptoms for six months or longer. Also, consider that some people are satisfied with their lack of sexual desire. A diagnosis of HSDD is only relevant if a person lacks sexual desire and feels unhappy about the prospect.
HSDD is often linked to other health conditions. For some people, depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders may play a role. In others, decreased sex hormones may affect a person’s libido. Additional causes include an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain, the side effects of medications, or medical conditions that affect sexual desire.
Also, keep in mind that sexual desire naturally wanes over time for many people. That means the issue may simply be part of the natural aging process for certain individuals.
In many cases, treating the underlying health disorder can improve sexual desire and libido:
Doctors may also recommend medication or hormone regimens to enhance sexual desire in some people.