Low libido (sex drive) is a common sexual complaint, especially in women.
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Don't blame yourself if your mate has lost interest. Age is seldom the sole cause of waning sexual interest. Other factors that can diminish sex drive are:
- Poor health. It's normal to lose interest in sex when you're ill. You may be tired, in pain or just not feeling well. You may also have too many medical worries on your mind. Once you are feeling better, sexual interest may return.
- Emotional issues. A loss of desire can be a sign of depression or anxiety. Financial stress, physical problems or the deaths of people close to you can affect your mood.
- Performance anxiety. You or your mate may avoid sex because of performance problems related to age. Impotence can cause embarrassment. Vaginal dryness can cause pain.
- Hormones. A woman's testosterone level affects sex drive. At age 50, the level of this hormone is half what it was at age 25. Shifting hormone levels affect men, too, but at a later age.
- Body image. Wrinkles, gray hair, extra pounds and other signs of aging can make you feel less attractive. If you don't view yourself as desirable, your sexual interest may start to decline.
- Biological causes. Diseases of the adrenal, pituitary and thyroid glands can affect sex drive. Chronic kidney failure, Parkinson's disease, head injury, hepatitis and stroke can lower your sex drive. So can drugs for treating cancer, heartburn, depression and anxiety.
