Anxiety and loss of libido: what to know

Desire naturally varies with stress, energy, emotional safety and circumstances. Anxiety may also lead someone to monitor performance or bodily sensations so closely that arousal becomes harder to sustain. A change in libido does not define the quality of a relationship or a person's affection.

Consider when the change began and whether it is general or limited to certain situations. Low mood, exhaustion, conflict, pain during sex, hormonal changes, alcohol, recreational drugs and some prescribed medicines can affect desire. Depression and burnout often present with loss of interest or low energy. Hypothyroidism may include fatigue, feeling cold or bowel changes, while type 2 diabetes can affect energy, nerves and sexual function.

Reduce pressure to perform and talk with your partner at a calm time about comfort, pace and expectations. Protect sleep, make space for non-sexual affection and use anxiety-management methods that work for you, such as paced breathing or counselling. Review the timing of symptoms against medicine changes, but do not stop prescribed treatment without speaking to the prescriber. A clinician can check for mood, hormonal or physical contributors.

Book an appointment when reduced desire persists, causes distress, strains a relationship, follows a medicine change or occurs with pain, erectile difficulty, vaginal dryness, menstrual changes or marked fatigue. Seek urgent help if anxiety or low mood comes with thoughts of self-harm, feeling unable to stay safe or an immediate threat from a partner. Sexual pain, bleeding or possible infection also deserves timely clinical assessment.

Explain the onset, whether desire changed suddenly or gradually, and any accompanying mood, sleep, pain or sexual-function symptoms. Ask whether your medicines could contribute, whether an examination or blood tests would clarify possible physical causes, and what psychological or relationship support is available. You may request a clinician of a preferred gender or ask to speak privately.