What should you know about female low sex drive?

Desire naturally changes over time and is not measured against a single standard. Pain with sex, vaginal dryness, tiredness, depression, anxiety, stress, relationship difficulty, pregnancy or postpartum changes, and some medicines can reduce interest. Perimenopause and menopause may alter hormones and sleep; genitourinary syndrome of menopause can add dryness, burning, or urinary discomfort. Low desire can be distressing, but it does not mean that a person is failing a partner or that one cause is certain.

Start by noting when the change began, whether desire varies by situation, and whether pain, dryness, sleep, mood, or medication changes are present. A clinician can review health conditions and medicines, examine for treatable causes, and discuss lubricants, moisturisers, counselling, relationship support, or hormonal options when suitable. Testosterone therapy for women is a specialist decision and is not appropriate for everyone.

Arrange care when reduced desire persists, causes distress, affects intimacy, or occurs with pain, bleeding after sex, vaginal changes, or urinary symptoms. Seek urgent help for thoughts of self-harm, coercion, or immediate safety concerns. New symptoms after starting a medicine should be discussed with the prescriber rather than stopping treatment alone.

Ask whether dryness, pain, mood, sleep, hormones, or a medicine could be contributing; what non-hormonal measures may help; and whether a sexual-health or counselling referral would be useful. Ask about expected benefits and possible adverse effects of any proposed treatment.