There are many causes for a decrease in sex drive, and every individual, whether a male or a female has his own
reasons for the dysfunction. Some of the causes for a decrease in sex drive are listed as under:
· Psychological Factors: Stress, fear and anxiety are the major factors that can decrease sex desire. Anxiousness and fear over an ability to perform in bed or to satisfy a partner may sometimes lead to "spectatoring," in which individuals are so concerned about monitoring the experience that they are unable to enjoy it. Other issues like the size of the organ, orgasm completion simultaneously can be the factors for lower sexual desire.
· Drugs and Alcohol: Many men and women report that alcohol has a numbing effect on their sex desire. Research has proved that alcohol has no role in increasing sex drive, rather it decreases the libido. Also many drugs, such as anti-depressants to treat anxiety or depression; anti-psychotic drugs to treat severe mental disorders; anti-hypertensive agents to treat high blood pressure, may interfere with arousal and the ability to achieve orgasm.
· Obesity or Anorexia: Women come in all shapes and sizes, and in most cases, weight is irrelevant to sex drive. However, those who are medically obese may be deficient in certain sex hormones that can influence desire. They may also feel less sexually attractive and may therefore avoid intimate contact. Same is true with Anorexia too. People with obesity also have a lower blood flow, which does not ensure enough blood supply to the genitals during love-making or intercourse.
· Illness: Various diseases have been reported to decrease the sex drive. Several of them have been found to directly reduce sex drive: 1. Addison’s Disease in which the adrenal glands (glands located above the kidneys that produce many of the body's hormones) fail. 2. Cushing’s Syndrome, a condition caused by high levels of a hormone called cortisol in the body over a long period of time; 3. Diseases of the pituitary gland, a gland located near the brain that produces many important hormones.
In many Cases, it is not the disease itself, but rather the medications used to treat the disease, that reduces a woman's sex drive. This is particularly true of high blood pressure medications and some diuretics. Other conditions that may affect sexual function include:
o Cancer
o Arthritis
o Diabetes
o Kidney disease
o Spinal cord Injury
o Epilepsy
o Thyroid Disorders
· Menopause: It means the end of menstrual cycle in females. In this stage, it takes her longer to get aroused, hence less sexual desire. Lack of estrogen also causes dryness in the vagina, which makes a considerable decrease in libido.
· Pregnancy: Changes in hormone levels can affect her physically and emotionally during her pregnancy As a result, her desire for sex may temporarily change, but it can be also opposite in many cases
· Relationship Issues: If there is a poor relationship between a couple, chances are high that there will be a decrease in the sex drive, as they wont understand and compliment each other well.
Sexual Abuse: It is a deeply traumatic experience and may lead to fear and avoidance of sexual experiences later in life. Some women who have been victims of past abuse are afraid to trust a man; others respond to these negative experiences by losing sexual desire altogether.