There’s a common misconception that women have fewer sexual desires than men.

Women are just as sexual and often want the same things. While there’s nothing wrong with not always having strong sexual desires, if you feel like something such as low libido is having a negative impact on your life, it’s time to look at possible underlying causes and contributing factors.

Low sexual desire isn’t “normal” in women. While people’s personalities are different, most women have a healthy appetite for physical intimacy. If you don’t, it’s worth it to consider why not.

With that in mind, let’s look at some of those contributing factors so you can get a better idea of why you might be struggling with low sexual desire.

Biological Factors

Sometimes, there could be a physical component contributing to your low sexual desire. Things like hormonal changes, chronic illnesses, or even experiencing pain during sex can lower your libido.

There are obviously many potential causes that can contribute to biological issues. Something as simple as vaginal dryness could make sex uncomfortable, causing you to not want to engage in it. Normal hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause could also cause fatigue and weaken your desire.

If you’re concerned that a biological problem is lowering your sex drive and desire, talk to your doctor about different possibilities. You can explain any other physical symptoms you might be experiencing in an effort to get the right diagnosis and treatment.

Psychological Factors

If you’re not dealing with biological causes, consider that you might have underlying psychological elements contributing to your lack of desire. Everything from stress to anxiety can cause problems and make it difficult for you to evoke any kind of sexual desire, even with a partner you love.

Things like self-esteem issues can also play a part in low sexual desire. If you see yourself in a negative light, you might think you’re not worthy of having sex. Or, you might make assumptions about your sexual partner not “wanting” you that aren’t true.

Traumatic past experiences might also be a problem if you’re struggling with low desire. If you’ve had bad sexual experiences in the past or relationship issues that made you doubt yourself, they could still be impacting you even if you think you’ve moved on.

Relationship Factors

Finally, take a look at your relationship. Many people start to notice that low sexual desire is a problem when they’re in a long-term relationship and not engaging in sex as often as they would like, or as often as they think they should.

Are you struggling with communication issues in your relationship? Are there unresolved issues? Maybe there’s a lack of emotional connection causing you to pull back, physically.

When you examine your relationship and any of these potential causes, it can become clearer why your desire isn’t there. Sometimes, it’s a relatively easy fix. Prioritizing communication and connection with your partner can go a long way in improving your sexual relationship. Other times, you might have to admit that the relationship is unhealthy or even toxic, and it might be time to move on.

Next Steps

As a woman, it’s important not to fall for the stereotype that low sexual desire is normal. If it’s become a problem in your life, it’s okay to want to learn more and dig deeper into the potential contributing factors.

You don’t have to do that alone, especially if you feel like those factors are psychological or if your relationship is the root issue. Feel free to reach out and set up an appointment for couples counseling soon. We’ll start digging together and work on ways of overcoming these factors, so you can enjoy the idea of a healthy sexual relationship again.