If the thought of catching up with your nighttime television soaps is more appealing than an amorous encounter with your partner, this might be perfectly normal. MayoClinic.com says it’s common for your sexual desires to wax and wane during the course of your lifetime. However, lows that recur or linger can be caused by one or more factors. If your sex drive is nil, various things could be going on in your body — as well as in your life. It’s easy to overlook the obvious ways your libido became suppressed.
Mind
Step 1
Disconnect from your partner. According to MayoClinic.com, your sexual desire is closely tied to the health of your relationship. Ongoing conflict, poor communication and lack of trust — such as after a partner’s affair — can put a damper on your desire. If you feel that you and your partner are drifting apart, have a heart-to-heart talk about your problems. Couples counseling is another option.
Step 2
Stress out. Running yourself ragged is yet another way you can curb your own libido. A high-pressure job or caring for a baby, young children or an ailing family member can be exhausting and time-consuming. Slow down. Carve out some “us” time you can spend with your partner alone — uninterrupted — even if you have to write it down in your schedule.
Step 3
Push yourself off the pedestal. Lack of self-appreciation can also quell your sexual desire. A poor body image, low self-esteem and the emotional aftermath of any kind of abuse can affect how you view yourself. A counselor or therapist can help you address problems that affect your overall mental health, says MayoClinic.com.
Body
Step 1
Live it up a little too much. The wine you thought could get you in the mood can have just the opposite effect when imbibed in excess — so can taking illegal street drugs, cautions MayoClinic.com. Cultivate a healthy lifestyle. Avoid too much booze, drug use and tobacco use. Getting regular aerobic exercise not only increases your physical prowess and mood; it can make you feel better about the way your body looks.
Step 2
Ignore what’s going on in your body. Medical conditions, like high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, neurological disorders and vaginal infections, can suppress your interest in sex. Also, women experience hormonal fluctuations during certain times of life — after giving birth, while breast feeding and after menopause — when a low libido may be more common, states the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Talk to your doctor if you suspect that lack of sexual desire has a physical cause.
Step 3
Disregard the side-effects of the medications you take. Some prescription drugs have a reputation as a libido killer, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, chemotherapy medications and drugs for hypertension, according to MayoClinic.com. If you just started taking a new medication, research its side effects. Your doctor may need to change the medication or dosage.
