Loss of Libido: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

TL;DR

Low libido means a reduced or absent interest in sex. It is very common, affecting up to 1 in 5 men and even more women at some point in life, and it is usually treatable (NHS) (Cleveland Clinic). Causes are often a mix of physical and emotional factors: hormonal changes (including pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause), stress, tiredness, relationship difficulties, depression or anxiety, chronic illnesses like diabetes, and some medicines such as certain antidepressants and blood pressure drugs (NHS). Treatment depends on the cause and may include treating an underlying condition, adjusting medication, counselling or sex therapy, lifestyle changes, and, for some women, specific prescribed medicines. It is not a personal failing, and a doctor can help you find the cause and the right approach.

Quick Answer

Low libido is a reduced interest in sexual activity. It is common in both women and men and usually has a mix of physical and emotional causes, such as hormonal changes, stress, tiredness, relationship issues, depression, chronic illness or certain medications. It is often temporary and treatable once the cause is found. Treatment can include counselling, lifestyle changes, adjusting medicines, treating an underlying condition, and sometimes prescribed medication. See a doctor if low libido distresses you or affects your relationship.

Author: Mylo Editorial Team, Mylo Parenting Desk Medically reviewed by: Mylo Editorial Board, aligned with NHS, Cleveland Clinic and FOGSI guidance Last updated: 6 July 2026

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Low libido can have many underlying causes, some of which need treatment. Do not start any prescription medicine or supplement without a doctor. If low sex drive distresses you, affects your relationship, or comes with other symptoms (such as pain, fatigue or low mood), speak to a doctor.

Key Takeaways

• Low libido means reduced or absent interest in sex, and it is a common, treatable issue (Cleveland Clinic)
• It affects up to 1 in 5 men and even more women at some point in life (NHS)
• Causes are usually a mix of physical and emotional factors, rarely just one thing
• Common triggers: hormonal changes (pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause), stress, tiredness, relationship issues, depression, chronic illness, some medicines (NHS)
• Sexual desire naturally rises and falls through life, and often decreases with age
• Treatment depends on the cause: therapy, lifestyle changes, adjusting medication, treating an underlying condition, and sometimes prescribed medicine
• Some prescribed medicines (like flibanserin) are only for premenopausal women with a specific diagnosis, under a doctor (Cleveland Clinic)
• See a doctor if it distresses you or affects your relationship (NHS)

What Is Low Libido?

Libido is your overall interest in or desire for sexual activity. Low libido (also called low sex drive) means wanting sex less often or with less intensity than you used to, or than you would like (Cleveland Clinic).

Desire naturally varies from person to person and changes over a lifetime, so there is no "normal" number. What matters is whether the change bothers you or affects your relationship. When a lasting drop in desire causes distress, doctors sometimes call it hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) or, in women, female sexual interest/arousal disorder (StatPearls / NCBI).

Importantly, low libido is common and is not a personal failing. It usually has an identifiable cause that can be addressed.

How Common Is Low Libido?

It is very common. Loss of libido affects up to 1 in 5 men, and even more women, at some point in their lives (NHS) (Cleveland Clinic). It becomes more common with age and around hormonal changes such as pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause.

What Causes Low Libido?

There is rarely a single cause. Low libido usually results from a combination of physical, emotional and lifestyle factors (NHS) (Mayo Clinic):

Because the causes overlap and feed into each other, a doctor's assessment helps identify what is really going on.

What Are the Symptoms of Low Libido?

The main sign is simply less interest in sex than before. Alongside this, people may notice (Cleveland Clinic):

• Few or no sexual thoughts or fantasies
• Little interest in initiating or having sex
• Difficulty becoming aroused, or reaching orgasm
• Reduced interest in physical affection and intimacy
• Distress, frustration or worry about the change
• Strain in the relationship

Note: reduced desire on its own is not a problem unless it bothers you or your partner. It is the distress or relationship impact that makes it worth addressing.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Consider seeing a doctor if (NHS):

• Low sex drive distresses you or is straining your relationship
• It came on suddenly or is getting worse
• It started after beginning a new medicine
• It comes with other symptoms, such as fatigue, low mood, pain during sex, vaginal dryness, or erection problems
• You have a long-term condition (like diabetes or thyroid disease) that may be involved

A doctor can check for underlying causes and discuss treatment. In India, you can start with a gynaecologist, a general physician, or a qualified sexual-health specialist or counsellor.

How Is Low Libido Treated?

Treatment is tailored to the cause, and often more than one approach is combined (Cleveland Clinic) (Mayo Clinic):

A note on flibanserin: it is a daily bedtime tablet approved specifically for premenopausal women with HSDD, not a general "libido booster" for everyone. It can cause low blood pressure, drowsiness and dizziness, and these are worse with alcohol, so it must be used under medical supervision (Cleveland Clinic).

What About Supplements and "Natural" Remedies?

You may see honey, ginseng, maca root, "libido oils" or creams marketed as instant fixes. Be cautious: evidence for most of these is limited or lacking, they are not regulated like medicines, and some can interact with prescription drugs (Mayo Clinic). Low libido is rarely a one-day fix. A balanced diet, good sleep, stress management and treating the underlying cause help far more than any single product. Talk to a doctor before taking any supplement, and be wary of products promising overnight results.

Can Diet and Vitamins Help?

A balanced diet supports overall and sexual health. Deficiencies in certain nutrients, such as zinc (a mineral important for testosterone), iron, vitamin D, vitamin B12, magnesium and folate, can contribute to tiredness and low desire (Cleveland Clinic). Eating a varied diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein is the best way to get these. Supplements are not a cure, and taking too much of some vitamins or minerals can be harmful, so check with a doctor before supplementing.

Indian Context: What You Should Know

• It is okay to seek help: Sex and desire are sensitive topics in many Indian families, but a doctor or qualified counsellor is a confidential, appropriate person to help
• Postpartum and breastfeeding: Low desire after childbirth and while breastfeeding is very common and usually temporary; tiredness, hormones and healing all play a part
• Avoid unregulated "sex tonics": Many heavily marketed tonics, oils and capsules are unproven and may be unsafe; do not rely on them
• Don't self-medicate: Never take a prescription drug or someone else's medicine for libido without a doctor
• Bring your partner in: Low libido affects both partners; open, blame-free conversation reduces pressure and helps
• Rule out physical causes: Conditions like diabetes, thyroid problems and anaemia are common in India and can lower desire, so a check-up is worthwhile

Myths vs Facts About Low Libido

FAQs: Low Libido

Can low libido be reversed?

Yes, in many cases. When the underlying cause is treated, such as adjusting a medication, managing stress or depression, treating a hormonal or thyroid problem, or addressing relationship issues, sexual desire can often return (Cleveland Clinic).

Low libido kaise theek karein? (Hinglish)

Ye iski wajah par depend karta hai. Pehle doctor se milkar cause samjhein, kyunki ye aksar physical aur emotional dono cheezon ka mix hota hai (hormonal changes, stress, thakan, depression, relationship issues, ya koi dawai). Ilaaj mein counselling ya sex therapy, lifestyle changes (acchi neend, exercise, kam sharab), underlying bimari ka treatment, ya kuch cases mein doctor ki batayi dawai shaamil ho sakti hai (NHS). Kisi bhi tonic, oil ya dawai ko bina doctor ki salah ke istemaal na karein.

At what age does libido start to decrease?

There is no fixed age. Desire naturally rises and falls throughout life, influenced by hormones, stress, health and relationships, and it commonly decreases gradually with age (NHS). A sudden or distressing change at any age is worth discussing with a doctor.

Is low libido common after having a baby?

Yes, very common and usually temporary. Tiredness, hormonal changes (especially while breastfeeding), physical recovery and the demands of caring for a newborn all lower desire. It typically improves with time, rest and support; see a doctor if it persists or distresses you (NHS).

Kya vitamins se libido badhta hai? (Hinglish)

Balanced diet overall aur sexual health dono ke liye achhi hoti hai. Kuch nutrients ki kami, jaise zinc (jo ek mineral hai, vitamin nahi), iron, vitamin D, B12, magnesium ya folate, thakan aur kam desire mein contribute kar sakti hai (Cleveland Clinic). Lekin supplements koi ilaaj nahi hain, aur kisi vitamin/mineral ki zyada maatra nuksaan bhi kar sakti hai. Isliye supplement lene se pehle doctor se poochhein; balanced khana sabse behtar tareeka hai.

Do supplements or "libido oils" work?

Evidence for most over-the-counter supplements and "libido oils" is limited or lacking, and they are not regulated like medicines. Some can interact with other drugs. They are not a reliable or overnight fix, so treat marketing claims with caution and consult a doctor (Mayo Clinic).

Can medications cause low libido?

Yes. Some antidepressants, blood pressure medicines and hormonal contraceptives can lower sex drive. If you think a medicine is affecting your libido, talk to your doctor, who may adjust the dose or switch it. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own (NHS).

Is low libido a sign of a serious health problem?

Usually it is due to stress, hormones, relationships or medication rather than anything dangerous. But because conditions like diabetes, thyroid disease, depression and heart disease can lower desire, a persistent or sudden change is worth getting checked (Cleveland Clinic).

References

1. NHS UK. "Low Sex Drive (Loss of Libido)." https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/loss-of-libido/
2. Cleveland Clinic. "Low Libido (Low Sex Drive)." https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15216-low-libido-low-sex-drive
3. Cleveland Clinic. "Flibanserin (Addyi)." https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/18608-flibanserin-oral-tablets
4. Mayo Clinic. "Low Sex Drive in Women, Diagnosis and Treatment." https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-sex-drive-in-women/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374561
5. StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf. "Female Sexual Interest and Arousal Disorder." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK603746/
6. FOGSI (Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India). https://www.fogsi.org/