What to know about a wife's loss of libido

Sexual desire naturally varies between people and can shift during busy, emotionally demanding or unwell periods. A change may be linked with fatigue, low mood, pain during sex, hormonal changes, alcohol use, medicines or worries about the relationship. It is not a measure of affection or commitment. Depression can include loss of interest in sex, and low thyroid function or Type 2 Diabetes may contribute through changes in energy, mood, circulation or comfort.

Choose a private moment outside sexual activity and ask how she has been feeling, without pushing for an explanation or a timetable. Listen for tiredness, stress, discomfort, body-image concerns or changes since a new medicine. Keep intimacy broader than intercourse: affection, time together and practical support can reduce pressure. If burnout feels relevant, consider whether workload, sleep and recovery time need attention. A clinician can review symptoms, medicines and possible health contributors without assuming a single cause.

Arrange a routine appointment if the change is persistent, distressing, affecting the relationship, or paired with vaginal dryness, pelvic pain, changes in periods, marked tiredness, low mood or other new symptoms. Seek urgent help for immediate safety concerns, including thoughts of self-harm. Care is also appropriate when depression symptoms are interfering with daily life; support can address both wellbeing and sexual concerns.

Ask whether her symptoms or current medicines could be affecting desire, whether pain or dryness needs assessment, and whether checking thyroid function, blood glucose or mood would be appropriate. It can also help to ask what kind of sexual-health, counselling or relationship support is available.