Low Libido Due to Medication

Low Libido Due to Medication

Are you on medication and just not feeling it in the bedroom anymore? You’re not alone. Low libido is a common side effect of many medications, and it can be really frustrating.

But first, what is low libido?

Low libido is a decrease in sexual desire. 

So In What Instances Should You Be Concerned About Low Libido Due to Medication?

• Antidepressants are a common medication that can cause low libido. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), as in Prozac, Zoloft, and Lexapro, are actually known for causing low libido. Other types of antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), can also cause low libido.
• Antipsychotics can cause low libido. These meds treat mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Common antipsychotics that cause low libido include risperidone, olanzapine, and clozapine.
• Anticonvulsants are used to treat seizures. Some anticonvulsants, such as gabapentin and pregabalin, can cause low libido.
• Hormonal medications, like birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy, can also cause low libido. Birth control pills can lower testosterone levels in women, which can lead to a decrease in sexual desire. Hormone replacement therapy can also lower testosterone levels in women, as well as increase estrogen levels. High levels of estrogen can sometimes cause low libido.

If you’re concerned about your low libido due to medication, it may be time to switch

Try to identify the specific medication that is causing your low libido. Once you know the culprit, you can talk to your doctor about switching to a different medication that doesn’t have this side effect.

If switching medications isn’t an option, there are other things you can do to manage your low libido.

Things that help increase boost your libido include looking after your health:

• Exercise strategically: Exercise can absolutely help to improve your overall mood and energy levels. Exercising just prior to intercourse is not only a boost for your mental and emotional health, but also increases sex drive. It pumps blood to necessary organs. It increases endorphins, which are your ‘feel good’ hormones and can lead to higher libido. Working out also improves self-esteem, which in turn can raise libido.
• Healthy diet: A healthy diet can improve your overall health and well-being, which can also boost libido.
• Sleep: Getting enough sleep is important for overall health and well-being and can improve libido.
• Manage stress: Stress can have a negative impact on libido. It distracts us and makes it harder to become aroused. This has been proven in women asked to watch an erotic film. Those with chronic, high levels of stress were more distracted while watching and less able to become aroused.
• Learn how to leave your stressors about work, bills, your to-do list, etc. outside the bedroom. This is a really important step because stress is an absolute libido-, and let’s face it, joy-, killer.
• Find your best way to unwind, de-stress and allow your mind to stay in the present moment, focused on enjoying your daily experiences more. This can be sexual experiences with your partner, or just enjoying your life more and worrying less! The sooner we all learn that, the richer our (sex) lives and our relationships will be.
• To manage stress, try breathing and relaxation techniques, yoga, meditation, apps like Calm for increasing calm in your life, spending time in nature, spending time with people you love and doing more activities that you enjoy.

It will also help to talk to your partner about your low libido. Be open and honest about what you’re going through. They may be able to offer support and understanding. They may be able to suggest ways to improve your sex life.

You can find ways to be intimate with your partner without having sex. Think cuddling, kissing, or massage. Physical touch is important. Holding hands, gentle touching, or even playing around works to build up arousal slowly. It may not explicitly be sexual foreplay but it’s the physical connection that counts. Physical touch between partners sparks a surge in oxytocin levels, the ‘love’ hormone, leading to feelings of closeness and bonding.