Is your idea of getting hot and steamy taking a shower afterspin class? Join the club. Many women discover their libido is lacking,especially as they get older.

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Thats not necessarily a problem, as long as yourecomfortable with the (in)frequency of your romantic dalliances. But it can befrustrating if you miss the intimacy that goes along with sex. And if you andyour partner have mismatched libidos, that can be a big source of relationshipstrife.

Luckily, treatments are available to rev up a sluggish sex drive, says womens health specialist Holly Thacker, MD.

There are all sorts of reasons your sex drive might have shifted into neutral. Pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can do a number on your hormones. Stress, illness, medications and relationship challenges can also interfere with sexual desire.

If you notice a dramatic dip in your arousal level, firstrule out any medical causes. Yes, it might feel weird talking to your doctorabout getting frisky, but medical professionals have heard it all. Your Ob/Gynor primary care doctor or womens health specialist can pinpoint problems suchas medication side effects or hormonal changes (like perimenopause) that mightbe interfering with intimacy.

Yet many women experience reduced sexual desire for no obvious reason a condition sometimes called hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). And in the last few years there has been more research and medical options for this condition. We now have some excellent options, Dr. Thacker says.

Several treatments are available to turn up a womans arousal:

This prescription pill has been available to treat HSDD since 2015. Flibanserin is taken nightly and can ramp up sex drive, says Dr. Thacker. It may cause drowsiness and shouldnt be taken within 2 hours of drinking alcohol.

The downside is it takes about 2 months for the medicationto start working. But for many women (and their satisfied partners), thetreatment is worth the wait.

This on-demand prescription medication was approved totreat HSDD in 2019. Women inject it under the skin at least 45 minutes beforethey anticipate getting frisky.

Dr. Thacker notes that as many as 40% of women experiencenausea after taking the drug. So she suggests this workaround: Take it rightbefore bed and cancel your morning meetings. Since the medication lasts 16hours, youre likely to sleep through any discomfort and can enjoy the amorouseffects when the sun comes up.

This hormone suppository can ease vaginal dryness and discomfort in postmenopausal women. Some women with low libido find it increases genital sensitivity (in a good way).

Testosterone can treat low libido in women but its not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, so this off-label use is controversial. It can cause side effects, including acne, hair loss, facial hair growth and mood changes.

Medications arent always the best way to deal with a limp libido. Sometimes, low sex drive is related to psychological issues, such as poor body image, past negative sexual experiences, trust issues or relationship problems. In those cases, it can help to work through your thoughts and feelings with a mental health professional.

And some women just need a crash course in sex education,Dr. Thacker says. Learning the ins and outs of your sexual anatomy includingthe importance of clitoral and G-spot stimulation can also improve desire,she adds. After all, if it doesnt feel good, you wont crave it.

And remember that you can have a healthy sex drive withoutbeing a seductress. Most women just arent thinking about sex that often. Theyhave a more responsive reaction to sex, Dr. Thacker says.

You dont have to be the initiator to enjoy a roll in thehay. You just have to be open to it, she adds. Its like exercise: You may notfeel like doing it, but once you start, youre usually glad you did.

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What Help Is Available for Low Sex Drive in Women? - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

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