Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionHigh LibidoLow LibidoBenefits of Sex
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
High Libido
Low Libido
Benefits of Sex
“Libido” is the term used to describe sexual appetite or sex drive. Not only does it vary from person to person, but it can also change from day to day. Factors like your emotional state, hormone levels, and physical health can all affect your libido.Age-related changes in sex drivecan also occur.
With that said, there is no such thing as a “normal” libido. Some people have a high libido and others have a low libido. A high or low libido is only considered a problem if it interferes with a person’s sexual function or quality of life.
For the purpose of the article, the term “male” refers to people born withpenisesand othermale reproductive organs, while “female” refers to people born withvaginasand otherfemale reproductive organs.
Understanding Libido
In psychology, libido is often described as a component of “life instinct” or the “instinctive biological drive” for sex.In medicine, libido can be used to assess a person’s sexual function, health concerns, or response to medical treatments.
Libido and sexuality often get confused. In many cultures, people who identify as male are expected to have—and often praised for having—a high sex drive. By contrast, people who identify as female can be judged for having the same sexual appetite or drive.
Whether male or female, the same neural and biochemical pathways are involved in a person’s sex drive and appetite. This, in turn, can stimulate sexual arousal, which triggers a physiological response (such as anerect penisor the enlargement of the clitoris and lubrication of thelabia).
Symptoms of an Overly High Libido
There’s a discernible difference between a robust libido, which can be a good thing, and one that is too high. A sexual appetite that feels out of control and interferes with daily life is cause for concern. This may be a sign of ahormonal imbalance, neurological disorder, or mood disorder such ashypersexuality.
Your libido is potentially overly high if:
When a person’s libido is high, they are more likely to desire sexual intimacy and seek it out with a partner or through masturbation. Compulsively acting on those urges and desires can lead tosex addiction.
What Causes a High Libido?
In some cases, it may be the sign of an underlying medical cause, such as:
How an Overly High Libido Is Treated
Once the cause of overly high libido is determined, the treatment can be targeted to manage the problem.
For example, if a medication is to blame, the dosage may be changed or a different drug prescribed. Likewise, treating an underlying brain disorder can help normalize sexual desire.
Other strategies, includingpsychotherapyand increased physical activity, may also help.
Symptoms of a Low Libido
There are no clinical criteria for diagnosing low libido. What’s more, there is a high degree of variation in how libido is experienced since “normal” can vary from one person to the next.
However, commonly cited symptoms of low libido include:
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
What Causes a Low Libido?
The causes of low libido can be broadly described as psychological (relating to the mind), physiological (relating to the body), pharmaceutical (drug-related), or pathological (related to disease).
Stress can negatively affect libido. Stress, distraction, and fatigue can reduce sexual drive in females. In males, chronic stress releases excesscortisol, the stress hormone. This can lead to lower testosterone, resulting in low libido and possiblyerectile dysfunctionor impotence.
Other potential causes of low libido include:
Treating a Low Libido
Low libido is more common than overly high libido and has many more potentially treatable causes.
The key to effectively treating low libido is identifying the cause. In many cases, a combination of approaches may be necessary toenhance sexual drive.
Lifestyle Changes
Certain habits can contribute to low libido, such as a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and alcohol abuse. Addressing these issues may improve your sexual energy and interest. This may involve:
Behavioral Therapy
A therapist who specializes in sexual issues and couples therapy can help you and your partner identify the emotional sources of low libido.Sex therapyis a talk therapy that can help you improve communication, resolve underlying problems, and find new ways to improve intimacy.
Medications
There are only a few medications known to be helpful in enhancing low libido.
Some natural remedies, includingmaca root(Lepidium meyenii)andhorny goat weed(Epimedium grandiflorum), may also help increase libido. However, the scientific evidence to back up the use of these plants is lacking.
Benefits of a Healthy Sex Life
Psychological factors that are associated with having a satisfying sex life may be associated with numerous health benefits, including:
Neurotransmitters activated during sexual activity can have these benefits on your brain and other parts of your body as well:
You may or may not notice changes insex after menopause. Changes that do happen can go either way: some notice an increased libido, while others have a reduced libido. Having less interest in sex as you age is not a medical condition. If age-related changes likevaginal drynessbother you, talk to a healthcare provider about your options.
Summary
Libido differs from one person to the next, and there is no set definition as to what a “normal” sex drive is.
With that said, if high libido or low libido is causing you distress or interfering with relationships or sexual function, speak with your healthcare provider. Depending on whether the cause is psychological, physical, pathological, or pharmaceutical, there may be treatments that can help.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dosch A, Rochat L, Ghisletta P, Favez N, Van der Linden M.Psychological factors involved in sexual desire, sexual activity, and sexual satisfaction: a multi-factorial perspective.Arch Sex Behav. 2016;45(8):2029-45. doi:10.1007/s10508-014-0467-zCalabrò RS, Cacciola A, Bruschetta D, et al.Neuroanatomy and function of human sexual behavior: a neglected or unknown issue?Brain Behav. 2019;9(12):e01389. doi:10.1002/brb3.1389Karila L, Wéry A, Weinstein A, et al.Sexual addiction or hypersexual disorder: different terms for the same problem? A review of the literature.Curr Pharm Des. 2014;20(25):4012-20. doi:10.2174/13816128113199990619Sahithya BR, Kashyap RS.Sexual addiction disorder—a review with recent updates.J Psychosexual Health. 2022;4(2):95-101. doi:10.1177/26318318221081080Planned Parenthood.Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).Endocrine Society.Hypogonadism in men.Antony T, Alzaharani SY, El‐Ghaiesh SH.Opioid‐induced hypogonadism: Pathophysiology, clinical and therapeutics review.Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2020;47(5):741-750. doi:10.1111/1440-1681.13246American Psychological Association.Stress effects on the body.Goldstein I, Kim N, Clayton A, et al.Hypoactive sexual desire disorder.Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2017;92(1):114-28. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.09.018Kamrul-Hasan ABM, Hannan MA, Alam MS, et al.Role of flibanserin in managing hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2024;103(25):e38592. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000038592MedlinePlus.Sildenafil.MedlinePlus.Maca.MedlinePlus.Horny goat weed.Oregon Health & Science University, Center for Women’s Health.The benefits of a healthy sex life.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dosch A, Rochat L, Ghisletta P, Favez N, Van der Linden M.Psychological factors involved in sexual desire, sexual activity, and sexual satisfaction: a multi-factorial perspective.Arch Sex Behav. 2016;45(8):2029-45. doi:10.1007/s10508-014-0467-zCalabrò RS, Cacciola A, Bruschetta D, et al.Neuroanatomy and function of human sexual behavior: a neglected or unknown issue?Brain Behav. 2019;9(12):e01389. doi:10.1002/brb3.1389Karila L, Wéry A, Weinstein A, et al.Sexual addiction or hypersexual disorder: different terms for the same problem? A review of the literature.Curr Pharm Des. 2014;20(25):4012-20. doi:10.2174/13816128113199990619Sahithya BR, Kashyap RS.Sexual addiction disorder—a review with recent updates.J Psychosexual Health. 2022;4(2):95-101. doi:10.1177/26318318221081080Planned Parenthood.Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).Endocrine Society.Hypogonadism in men.Antony T, Alzaharani SY, El‐Ghaiesh SH.Opioid‐induced hypogonadism: Pathophysiology, clinical and therapeutics review.Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2020;47(5):741-750. doi:10.1111/1440-1681.13246American Psychological Association.Stress effects on the body.Goldstein I, Kim N, Clayton A, et al.Hypoactive sexual desire disorder.Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2017;92(1):114-28. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.09.018Kamrul-Hasan ABM, Hannan MA, Alam MS, et al.Role of flibanserin in managing hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2024;103(25):e38592. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000038592MedlinePlus.Sildenafil.MedlinePlus.Maca.MedlinePlus.Horny goat weed.Oregon Health & Science University, Center for Women’s Health.The benefits of a healthy sex life.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Dosch A, Rochat L, Ghisletta P, Favez N, Van der Linden M.Psychological factors involved in sexual desire, sexual activity, and sexual satisfaction: a multi-factorial perspective.Arch Sex Behav. 2016;45(8):2029-45. doi:10.1007/s10508-014-0467-zCalabrò RS, Cacciola A, Bruschetta D, et al.Neuroanatomy and function of human sexual behavior: a neglected or unknown issue?Brain Behav. 2019;9(12):e01389. doi:10.1002/brb3.1389Karila L, Wéry A, Weinstein A, et al.Sexual addiction or hypersexual disorder: different terms for the same problem? A review of the literature.Curr Pharm Des. 2014;20(25):4012-20. doi:10.2174/13816128113199990619Sahithya BR, Kashyap RS.Sexual addiction disorder—a review with recent updates.J Psychosexual Health. 2022;4(2):95-101. doi:10.1177/26318318221081080Planned Parenthood.Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).Endocrine Society.Hypogonadism in men.Antony T, Alzaharani SY, El‐Ghaiesh SH.Opioid‐induced hypogonadism: Pathophysiology, clinical and therapeutics review.Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2020;47(5):741-750. doi:10.1111/1440-1681.13246American Psychological Association.Stress effects on the body.Goldstein I, Kim N, Clayton A, et al.Hypoactive sexual desire disorder.Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2017;92(1):114-28. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.09.018Kamrul-Hasan ABM, Hannan MA, Alam MS, et al.Role of flibanserin in managing hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2024;103(25):e38592. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000038592MedlinePlus.Sildenafil.MedlinePlus.Maca.MedlinePlus.Horny goat weed.Oregon Health & Science University, Center for Women’s Health.The benefits of a healthy sex life.
Dosch A, Rochat L, Ghisletta P, Favez N, Van der Linden M.Psychological factors involved in sexual desire, sexual activity, and sexual satisfaction: a multi-factorial perspective.Arch Sex Behav. 2016;45(8):2029-45. doi:10.1007/s10508-014-0467-z
Calabrò RS, Cacciola A, Bruschetta D, et al.Neuroanatomy and function of human sexual behavior: a neglected or unknown issue?Brain Behav. 2019;9(12):e01389. doi:10.1002/brb3.1389
Karila L, Wéry A, Weinstein A, et al.Sexual addiction or hypersexual disorder: different terms for the same problem? A review of the literature.Curr Pharm Des. 2014;20(25):4012-20. doi:10.2174/13816128113199990619
Sahithya BR, Kashyap RS.Sexual addiction disorder—a review with recent updates.J Psychosexual Health. 2022;4(2):95-101. doi:10.1177/26318318221081080
Planned Parenthood.Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).
Endocrine Society.Hypogonadism in men.
Antony T, Alzaharani SY, El‐Ghaiesh SH.Opioid‐induced hypogonadism: Pathophysiology, clinical and therapeutics review.Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2020;47(5):741-750. doi:10.1111/1440-1681.13246
American Psychological Association.Stress effects on the body.
Goldstein I, Kim N, Clayton A, et al.Hypoactive sexual desire disorder.Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2017;92(1):114-28. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.09.018
Kamrul-Hasan ABM, Hannan MA, Alam MS, et al.Role of flibanserin in managing hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2024;103(25):e38592. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000038592
MedlinePlus.Sildenafil.
MedlinePlus.Maca.
MedlinePlus.Horny goat weed.
Oregon Health & Science University, Center for Women’s Health.The benefits of a healthy sex life.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
