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Low sex drive (loss of libido)

There are many possible reasons for having a low sex drive (loss of libido). Treating the cause should help increase your sex drive.

Causes of a low sex drive

Some of the main causes of a low sex drive include:

Some long-term conditions can also affect your sex drive, such as heart disease, diabetes, an underactive thyroid or cancer.

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

  • you're worried about your low sex drive
  • you're taking a medicine or using hormonal contraception and you think it may be affecting your sex drive
  • your sex drive does not return to normal after pregnancy

Treatments for a low sex drive

Treatment for a low sex drive depends on what's causing it.

A GP can advise you about help you can get and any treatments that might improve your sex drive.

Possible causes of a low sex drive
Cause Possible treatments
Relationship problems Relationship counselling
Sexual problems like vaginal dryness or erectile dysfunction Medicines to treat the problem, such as vaginal lubricants or medicines to help you get an erection
Menopause Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Mental health problems like depression Antidepressants or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Medicine, contraception and health conditions Changing to a different medicine or type of contraception, or discussing treatment options if you have a health condition

Page last reviewed: 08 June 2022
Next review due: 08 June 2025