Low Libido in Young Women

Low Libido in Young Women

It’s a fact. Low libido in young women is becoming more and more of a health problem.
Studies show that young people are having less sex now than in past generations and even less than they did 10 years ago. And worst of all, women are having fewer orgasms than any other demographic.

Are you a young woman with low libido? No desire, time or energy for sexy time? We get it. It can be frustrating and isolating, especially when you feel like everyone else is having a great sex life and you’re just not.

But based on the research out there, you’re not alone. Low libido, or low sex drive, is a really common problem and it affects women of all ages.

In fact, studies have shown that up to 43% of women experience low libido at some point in their lives (The Journal of Sexual Medicine 2010).

Having a low libido is not just about sex. When we engage in intimacy, we release hormones that have been shown to balance stress, help with depression, reduce anxiety, improve sleep, weight and so much more. Healthy Libido is about sex, yes. But, it is not ONLY about sex

So, what causes low libido in young women? Many factors can contribute, including:

• Hormones: Changes in hormone levels, difficult menstrual cycles, fertility struggles, pregnancy & childbirth can all affect sexual desire.
• Medical conditions: Diabetes, thyroid problems, heart disease, chronic fatigue or pain conditions and other diseases naturally lead to low libido in young women.
• Medications: Antidepressants and birth control pills can have the common side-effect of lowering libido. 
• Stress, fatigue and poor sleep can all reduce libido in young women. Being stressed out causes your cortisol, the Stress hormone, to rise. Your body will end up making less of the other hormones, including the Sex hormone testosterone, which drives libido.
• Mental health: Anxiety, depression and body image issues can lead to low libido.
• Relationship problems: Lack of communication, trust issues, unresolved conflict or feelings of resentment within your relationship can reduce libido.
• Feelings of insecurity: If you feel insecure about your body or your sexual abilities, it can challenge your ability to feel sexy, confident and aroused.
• Working too much: Being ‘on’ for work 24/ 7 is taking its toll. People are stressed and having less sex.
• Or are you caught up in a kind of ‘masculine’ energy? This can make intimacy in the bedroom more difficult. Being turned on requires turning off the over-worrying, over-analyzing thoughts in your head so you can relaaax and have an orgasm. Our masculine and feminine energies need to be in balance. If we lean too far towards the masculine, our feminine energy can suffer.

If you’re concerned about your low libido, know that you are not alone. There is help.

What can you do? There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for low libido. The best treatment for you will depend on the underlying cause of your low libido.

• Get help for any underlying medical condition that may be holding your sexual desire back. If your low libido is caused by a medication, you may be able to change to a different medication that does not lower libido as a side effect.
• Make changes to your lifestyle to increase your sexual desire. Focus on less stress, less fatigue and better sleep. Do this by getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet and getting to bed in time to get enough sleep.
• Support your adrenal glands. Take good care of your body and in particular your adrenal glands in the face of stress. Get enough sleep, get daylight early in the morning by going for a walk first thing, eat protein for breakfast, get enough vitamin C, reduce sugar and processed foods, focus on a whole foods diet, reduce alcohol, cigarettes & other toxins, meditate to reduce stress hormones, practice yoga and deep breathing. See us at The Libido Doctor for more help on managing adrenal health.
• Therapy can help with anxiety, depression or body image issues. With your therapist, you can identify and address the underlying reasons for low libido.
• Add pleasure to your day in simple non-sexual ways. Have fresh flowers. Play music you love during your morning walk. Use beautiful, organic, luxurious body lotions or perfumes. Have regular massages. This increases and grounds your feminine energy in your day.
• Discover what you want so you can ask for it. Take time to explore your sexuality and why your libido might be low. What turns you on? Once you know yourself better, ask for it. No partner? No problem. Take matters into your own hands, if you know what we mean. 

The basics to improve your libido, that we all should be doing, include:

• Regular exercise
• Healthy diet
• Adequate sleep
• Stress management
• Less, or no, alcohol and drugs
• Don’t beat yourself up about it. Low libido is a common problem and it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
• Try new things in the bedroom – different positions, new toys, you get the idea.
• Be patient with yourself. Sex is about fun so try to relax and enjoy!

How to Talk to Your Partner

You also might need to talk to your partner about low libido. Here are some tips on how to get the conversation going:

• Choose a time when you are both relaxed and have time to talk.
• Start by talking about your feelings and concerns.
• Be honest and open with your partner.
• Listen to your partner’s feelings and concerns.
• Work together to find solutions.

We know it can be frustrating. But remember, you’re not alone. There are lots of women out there who are going through the same thing. Don’t be afraid to reach out. At My Libido Doc we can help. There are many things we can work on to get your mojo back! Start by registering below!