When you're young, sexual desire and performance are practically second nature. When you're older, sex may become more of an effort than a joy. But there are many factors that cause the loss of sex drive or libido.
Men
Men can experience impotence or loss of libido for a number of reasons, according to Womenshealth.gov. If a man is taking medicine for certain physical conditions, such as heart disease, or hormonal medications or street drugs, such as crack and heroin, these can affect the central nervous system and create impotency. Depression, diabetes or high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, alcoholism, epilepsy, kidney failure and/or mental illness can all lead to problems in the bedroom. If an individual isn't feeling well--mentally, physically or both--he's probably not going to have a robust desire for sex. Even if he wants to engage, he may not be able to due to these factors and influences.
Women
Females can experience a loss in sex drive when their hormones are out of whack. When a woman is peri-menopausal or menopausal, her estrogen level dips. If she's no longer ovulating, she's no longer producing progesterone--the hormone that's responsible for a woman's libido, according to Yourbodycanheal.com.
Tired ... Just Gave Birth
If you are exhausted or just had a baby, these conditions can cause you to lose your sex drive.
Medications
Netdoctor.co.uk explains that the medications we take can have a profound impact on our sex drive. Testosterone, the male hormone, is needed for sexual arousal. If testosterone is blocked or limited by medications that are being taken, the desire for sex diminishes. Medications that affect blood vessels in the penis, change hormone levels or affect the transmission of nerve messages can also result in impotence. Medicines that cause drowsiness, confusion, weight gain and/or lethargy can also hurt an individual's sex drive. According to Netdoctor.co.uk, the drug that most affects a man's ability to ejaculate is SSRI or selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, which is an antidepressant. For whatever reason, serotonin inhibits sexual function. Dopamine improves it.
Other Factors
Drinking too much puts the kibosh on sexual desire. Cirrhosis of the liver can suppress androgen (male hormone) levels. If you've been having sex with the same person for a long time, perhaps your interest and enthusiasm has waned. That's something you and your partner will have to work out. If you're a post-menopausal woman, you may be experiencing dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse), which is caused by cystitis or a dry vagina and decreases sexual pleasure.
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