Why You Might Not Be Interested in Sex

It's entirely normal to experience fluctuations in sexual intimacy within a relationship. Dry spells and moments of heightened passion are expected. However, if you notice a significant decrease, especially to a monthly or less frequency, or you truly don't have any desire to have sexual activity with your partner, it's essential to understand what might be causing this decreased sex drive.

If your desire for intimacy feels almost non-existent or you have low libido, and your partner has a high sexual drive, it can make things even more challenging and cause distress in your relationship. In this episode, we explore the reasons behind diminishing interest in sex and discuss potential solutions to reignite the spark in your sex and love life. 

Declining sexual desire.

For many women, a decline in desire is a typical part of aging. Research indicates that around the age of 45, a decrease in sexual desire becomes more apparent. Menopause can further affect our bodies and hormones, leading to a significant dip in desire. While aging plays a role, there are proactive measures to counter this decline, especially during the menopausal phase. 

If you're experiencing a decline in your sexual desire, it's crucial to reflect on the changes that may have occurred since the time you were highly interested in sex. Consider what might have shifted in your life affecting your sexual desires. 

Ask yourself if any of these types of things have happened since you were more interested in sex:

• Did you start a new medication? 
• Do you feel different about your body?
• Did your sex get more difficult or less enjoyable or satisfying?
• Did your partner start having sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction or another sexual dysfunction?
• Did you start feeling disconnected from your partner?
• Did you go through menopause?

Addressing any of these issues can potentially help revive your sexual interest.

Factors affecting sexual desire and pleasure.

Relationship problems often are a significant cause of low sexual desire. Evaluating your relationship dynamics is crucial and so it’s important to assess yourselves if you are still feeling the same level of attraction towards your partner.

Life can get overwhelming, causing you to grow distant from your partner. And so, sometimes, improving your relationship through open communication, couples counseling, or spending quality time together can reignite the attraction and consequently enhance your desire for intimacy. 

Another factor that may contribute to low interest in sex is the quality of sex, whether it is boring, bad, or painful. Painful sex is a valid reason to lose interest in it and addressing this issue is crucial. No one should endure painful sex. Consult with your doctor to understand the reasons behind it. Sometimes, simple solutions like using more lubrication can make a significant difference. If needed, a sex therapist can help overcome any anxiety or spasms related to sex.

Certain medications, especially antidepressants and some birth control pills, can diminish sexual desire and even hinder orgasm. If you've started a new medication and noticed a decline in your interest, discussing it with your doctor is essential.

Fatigue can also be a major desire killer. If you're exhausted from responsibilities or have a hectic schedule, finding the right time for intimacy is key. Consider morning or afternoon sex to enhance your interest and energy levels.

Hormone changes, such as those during menopause or due to birth control, can significantly affect your desire for sex. Menopause brings about physical changes that can make sex uncomfortable, but there are medical solutions to alleviate this discomfort. Additionally, pregnancy and breastfeeding come with hormonal shifts that impact libido.

Understanding these factors affecting your sexual desire is the first step toward revitalizing your sex life. Open communication and seeking appropriate medical guidance can help you find solutions and bring excitement back into your intimate experiences. If any of these resonate with you, it might be time to rethink your approach to sex and discuss your needs openly with your partner.

Common reasons for low sexual desire in women.

Various factors affect sex drive or sexual function of women.

Juggling life—being a mom, managing the house, and sorting out endless to-dos—can really take a toll on your mood for some 'us' time. Being a mother, taking care of kids all day, managing the household, and dealing with other matters can truly diminish your desire for intimacy. It can feel like the flame has dimmed, and getting it back seems like just another task on the never-ending list. And let’s be real, when your mind is cluttered, feeling sexy is the last thing on your agenda. 

Dealing with stress, feeling down, or past hurtful experiences can mess with your desire big time. Anxiety, depression, or past sexual trauma can significantly impact your desire for sex. 

On top of that, physical ailments like chronic illnesses – diabetes, arthritis, or cancer – can also contribute to a decline in sexual interest. Understanding what's affecting your desire is the first step towards change. Motivation and insight are key to making a shift. Recognize what resonates with you from the reasons discussed and think about how you can address them.

Is this a ‘me’ thing or an ‘us’ thing? It's essential to reflect on whether this is a personal or a relationship challenge. Some issues can be resolved with your partner through open communication and a little heart-to-heart, while others might require the guidance of a sex therapist or relationship counselor. Understanding the root cause is the first step towards creating a healthy relationship and reigniting the spark in your sex life.

Low sex drive and relationship counseling.

If you're feeling a strain in your relationship, and it's causing you distress, don't just wait it out. It's essential to start working on strengthening your relationship. If tackling it together with your partner seems challenging, seeking a counselor can make a significant difference. Working with your counselor or doctor to address sexual health concerns such as decreased libido, painful or uncomfortable sex, low desire, erectile dysfunction, hormone levels, and low testosterone levels, is essential to establishing a healthy sex life with your partner. Likewise, addressing life stressors and any issues impacting your ability to foster emotional closeness and a healthy relationship is important.

However, if your partner isn't open to counseling, it can be disheartening. In such situations, remember, you can't change them; only they can change themselves. What you can do is focus on becoming the best version of yourself. The hope is that your positive changes might inspire a transformation in your partner.

What you can do.

The most helpful thing you can do to reignite your sex drive is to address the issues that caused it to dwindle. Having an open conversation with your partner about your relationship, your reduced sex drive, and any other sexual problems can also be immensely helpful. Sometimes, when we feel alone in something, it feels much worse. Being able to talk with your partner about these types of issues will help both of you to feel like a team facing something together.

And, if you're in a dry spell that seems to stretch out, take a minute and see what really clicks with you among the things discussed and consider how you can work on them. It’s all about finding that ‘aha’ moment and working towards feeling good again. Once you understand some of the causes for your lower libido, you have the power to increase your interest in sex.

You can talk with your partner about the type of sexual activities that interest you, and you can find ways to spice up the quality of your sex life, whether it's by creating more variety, exploring your sexual fantasies with each other, or redefining sex such that it is focused on pleasure and connection versus intercourse.

Remember that your love and sex life are your own, there's no right or wrong, and it's all about being true to yourself. Embrace who you are and create the love and intimacy that's most meaningful to you.