Low Libido is reported in over 40% of women and as many as 20% of men. While it’s quite common, it’s not something you have to learn to live with. Low Libido can be treated.
Hormonal shifts can result in Low Libido in both sexes. In women, it’s typically associated with fatigue, stress or life-changing experiences like pregnancy, childbirth or menopause. In men, causes underlying Low Libido can range from lack of sleep and stress to lack of testosterone or substance abuse issues.
No matter the cause, we are here to help! Compile your list of your sexual issues and symptoms and call One Agora at (952) 234-5898 or contact us online today.
Low Libido is a low level of sexual interest or arousal – low as compared to others or low as compared to your normal libido. Libido will naturally differ from person to person. It also can fluctuate over the years. It can be a long-term issue, or it can be temporary. Your experience of sexual desire is as individual as you are. It can have natural, transient causes or result from illness or injury. Its causes can be both physical and mental.
Low Libido in both men and women can be caused by a reduction in sexual hormones from a variety of causes, or other issues that can impact both female and male sexual health, including:
In women, studies show a range from 27% in premenopausal women to 52% in menopausal women experiencing a reduced sex drive. Low Libido was found to be highest in women who experienced surgically induced menopause. Other causes of Low Libido can include pregnancy or the postpartum period after childbirth, especially if breastfeeding. In women who have damage to or removal of the ovaries, or a hysterectomy that includes removal of the ovaries, Low Libido can result. Primary ovarian insufficiency – with its low levels of hormone production – can also lead to Low Libido. More recently, medical science has come to understand how Post Birth Control Syndrome can impact women’s sexual health.
Low Libido can also result from other causes – including serious medical conditions like prostate disease in men or ovarian cancer in women - so it’s important to see a doctor when you experience serious or long-term loss of libido that cannot be explained by normal life cycle changes or other causes you can identify.
If you are experiencing Low Libido, you may experience a wide range of symptoms or a combination of symptoms that is unique to you. Symptoms may include:
If your Low Libido is related to aging, especially menopause/andropause, you may also be experiencing a change in appearance from collagen loss, hair loss, weight gain or dry, brittle skin – which can contribute to a loss of sexual confidence. It is important to address cosmetic symptoms too when addressing your issues with Low Libido because these symptoms can have a powerful effect on whether an individual feels sexually desirable – and thus impact libido.
At One Agora Integrative Health, we can employ a customized variety of both conventional and alternative treatment methods to address Low Libido, but a thorough Functional Medicine evaluation should be the first step in helping us to better understand what you are experiencing – both physically and mentally.
One of the most important things we can do is diagnose any hormone imbalances which we can measure and then treat with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT).
Before your appointment, you may find it helpful to familiarize yourself with our comprehensive resources, including our articles covering the role of hormone balance in issues with libido:
At your first appointment, if we determine it is needed, we will discuss your individualized BHRT protocol in detail, including treatment duration, possible side effects, dosing, and when you can expect to see results.
Certain lifestyle modifications may be helpful, as well as a nutrition plan to optimize your hormonal balance. IV vitamin therapy and acupuncture may be helpful. Targeted vitamins or herbal remedies may also be good for your libido. Medical weight loss, together with a plan for heathy movement that is appropriate for your physical condition, could help counter any weight issues that may be impacting your health and your libido.
What treatments we employ will completely depend on what we determine may be underlying your Low Libido. Remember, we are looking to diagnose root causes as our first step.
As we discussed above, certain cosmetic procedures are available that could combat the breakdown of collagen and sagging skin and wrinkles that come with aging and menopause/andropause. It’s important to know your options so you can choose what might alleviate any appearance issues impacting your libido. Self-esteem is a concern for both men and women. Not only health concerns but also these concerns about changes in appearance are important to acknowledge if present – and both can be addressed by a precise balancing of hormones as they shift and cosmetic procedures as necessary.
Addressing the issues that accompany Low Libido requires a very specialized type of expertise and a complex understanding of sexual health. At One Agora, we can work together to strengthen your libido and bring new life to your sexual function.
Gather a list of symptoms related to Low Libido and any history of your attempts to counter symptoms in the past, along with your treatment questions or special requests – and we’ll put together a customized plan to address Low Libido until you are functioning at your sexual best again! Call ☎ (952) 234-5898 or contact us online to make an appointment.
One Agora Integrative Health Clinic
9220 James Ave S.
Bloomington, MN 55431
Phone: (952) 234-5898
