What libido actually is
Libido — or sex drive — is not a fixed quantity. It fluctuates over time in response to a wide range of physical, psychological, relational, and hormonal factors. NHS guidance describes libido as a normal state that varies considerably between individuals and across a single person's life. There is no standard frequency of sexual interest that defines normal.
What matters clinically is change from an individual's own baseline, and whether that change is distressing. A low sex drive is only a concern if the person experiencing it finds it concerning. Many people experience periods of low desire and find it resolves on its own as circumstances change. Others find it persistent and want to understand why.
What commonly suppresses libido in women
Several factors are well-documented in clinical sexual health literature:
Hormonal changes. Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone — produced in small amounts by the ovaries and adrenal glands — all influence sexual desire and response. Perimenopause and menopause involve declining levels of these hormones, particularly estrogen, which can affect vaginal sensitivity, lubrication, and overall sexual interest. The postnatal period also involves significant hormonal shifts that commonly affect libido. Some hormonal contraceptives lower androgen levels in some individuals, which some women associate with reduced desire; this varies considerably between formulations and between people.
Stress and mental load. Chronic stress activates the body's sympathetic nervous system — the same system involved in the fight-or-flight response — which suppresses the parasympathetic state required for arousal and desire. High sustained mental load, including the kind associated with caregiving responsibilities and workplace pressure, has a consistent suppressing effect on libido in clinical literature.
Sleep quality. Sleep deprivation has been associated with lower testosterone levels, increased cortisol, and impaired emotional regulation — all of which affect sexual desire. Improving sleep quality is one of the most consistently recommended first steps for addressing unexplained low libido.
Medications. Several medication classes are well-documented to suppress libido or sexual function. SSRIs and SNRIs frequently delay orgasm and can reduce desire in some people. Some antihistamines, blood pressure medications, and hormonal contraceptives have also been associated with reduced libido. If you have noticed a change since starting a medication, this is worth discussing with the prescribing clinician — alternatives are sometimes available.
Psychological factors. Depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem are associated with reduced sexual desire. The relationship between mood and libido is bidirectional: low mood suppresses desire, and frustration about low desire can worsen mood. Unfamiliarity with your own body's preferences — what stimulation you respond to, what contexts support arousal — is also cited in sexual health literature as a factor, particularly in people who have not done much solo exploration.
Relationship dynamics. Where a person's libido is lower specifically in a partnered context than when alone, relationship factors are often involved. Communication about sexual needs, unresolved conflict, and mismatched desire between partners are all relevant variables.
What the evidence says about addressing it
AASECT practitioners and NHS guidance are reasonably consistent on the following approaches:
Address underlying physical causes first. If low libido followed a hormonal change — starting a new contraceptive, entering perimenopause, or the postnatal period — a GP conversation about whether that change is the driver is the most direct route. Hormonal causes are generally identifiable and, in many cases, treatable.
Review medications with your GP. If low libido followed a medication change, document the timing and discuss it with your prescribing clinician. Do not discontinue prescription medication without medical guidance.
Prioritise sleep and stress reduction. These are unglamorous but well-supported first steps. The mechanisms are physiologically direct: cortisol suppresses desire, and sleep deprivation depletes the hormonal and neurological conditions that support arousal.
Self-knowledge and solo exploration. AASECT-affiliated sexual health practitioners and Planned Parenthood both note that many people — particularly those who have not explored their own bodies much — find their libido in partnered contexts is lower partly because they do not yet know what reliably generates desire and arousal for them. Solo exploration is a low-stakes way to develop this knowledge. For some people, it has a more direct effect: regular sexual arousal and orgasm can maintain genital sensitivity and reinforce the body's arousal response over time.
Communication with a partner. Where the issue is specific to partnered sex, open communication about what you need, what feels pleasurable, and what conditions support desire is one of the most evidence-supported interventions. This is easier to do when you already have some self-knowledge to draw on.
When to see a doctor
NHS guidance recommends discussing persistent low libido with a GP when it has lasted several months or longer, is causing distress, or is accompanied by other symptoms — vaginal dryness, pain during sex, mood changes, fatigue, or irregular periods. These can indicate underlying hormonal, gynaecological, or psychological conditions worth investigating. A GP may refer to a sexual health clinic, gynaecologist, or specialist.
For the psychological dimension, AASECT-certified sex therapists are trained specifically in this area and can provide targeted support alongside or instead of medical care.
A note on tools
The Freya vibrating razor is a 5-blade premium razor designed for grooming first. It includes a built-in personal vibrator made from body-safe silicone — a detail most people discover privately, at the PDP. For those exploring solo practice as part of addressing low libido, see our guide to using a vibrator for the first time and our vibrator cleaning guide.
Further reading
- How to have an orgasm — the physiology, common barriers, and what the evidence says actually helps
- Health benefits of masturbation — what research shows about solo sex and physical and mental wellbeing
- Pelvic floor health guide — how pelvic floor function connects to sexual sensation and pleasure
This guide is informational and not a substitute for medical advice. If you have concerns about your libido, sexual function, or sexual health, speak with your GP or an AASECT-certified sex therapist.
Written by the Freya Editorial Team. Published under CC BY 4.0 — free to share and adapt with attribution. Last updated June 2026.
Reconnecting with physical sensation can be a reliable route to increased desire — our erogenous zones guide covers the anatomy of sensitivity in more detail.
Reconnecting with the body often starts with understanding it — our guide to vulva anatomy uses plain clinical language to explain external anatomy.
Regular solo practice is one of the evidence-based approaches to maintaining libido — our beginner's guide to masturbating with a vibrator explains how to approach it, including for people who are new to vibrators.
Regular self-touch is one of the evidence-backed approaches to maintaining desire — our guide covers the benefits of touching yourself in plain language.
Nipple stimulation is one of the most effective arousal-building techniques — our nipple stimulation guide covers the neuroscience of nipple pathways and how to use them to build toward orgasm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes low libido in women?
Low libido in women has several well-documented causes. Hormonal changes — including those associated with perimenopause, menopause, the postnatal period, and some hormonal contraceptives — can reduce sexual desire and sensitivity. Chronic stress and high mental load suppress the parasympathetic nervous state required for arousal. Sleep deprivation has been associated with lower testosterone levels, reduced mood, and impaired arousal response. Certain medications — particularly SSRIs, SNRIs, and some hormonal contraceptives — are documented to reduce libido or sexual function in some people. Psychological factors including depression, anxiety, and unfamiliarity with one's own body are also commonly cited in clinical sexual health literature.
Does menopause affect sex drive?
Yes. NHS guidance notes that declining estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels during perimenopause and menopause can affect vaginal sensitivity, lubrication, and overall sexual desire. This is a normal part of hormonal change, not a permanent or fixed outcome. Treatments including hormonal and non-hormonal options are available and worth discussing with a GP or gynaecologist if the change is distressing.
Do hormones affect female libido?
Yes, significantly. Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone — which is produced in small amounts by the ovaries and adrenal glands in all people — influence sexual desire and response. Hormonal contraceptives can lower androgen levels in some individuals, which some women associate with reduced desire; this effect varies considerably between formulations and between people. Hormonal causes of low libido are generally identifiable through a GP conversation and, where relevant, bloodwork.
What can I do to increase my sex drive naturally?
Evidence-based approaches include addressing sleep quality, reducing chronic stress, reviewing medications with a GP if you suspect they are contributing, and increasing self-knowledge through solo exploration. AASECT-affiliated practitioners and Planned Parenthood both note that many people find their libido in partnered contexts is lower partly because they do not yet know what reliably generates desire and arousal for them specifically. Solo exploration is a practical starting point for developing this knowledge. Addressing any underlying hormonal cause — which requires a GP conversation — is the most direct route when a hormonal change is the likely driver.
When should I see a doctor about low libido?
NHS guidance recommends speaking with a GP when low libido has lasted several months, is causing distress, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as vaginal dryness, pain during sex, mood changes, fatigue, or irregular periods. These can indicate underlying hormonal, gynaecological, or psychological conditions that are worth investigating. For the psychological dimension, AASECT-certified sex therapists specialise in this area and can provide targeted support alongside or instead of medical care.