What Is A Libido?

If you’ve heard the term “libido” and you’re not quite sure what it means, don’t worry, you’re not alone.

That’s why we’ve put together this quick guide to libido for you. 

What Is A Libido?

Libido, simply put, is your sex drive or sexual appetite. 

Your libido is not a constant thing and it can be affected by your brain, your hormones, your behaviors and other external factors.

In men, testosterone can play a very large role in the strength (or lack thereof) of the libido. 

Signs Of An Overly High Libido (And What To Do About It)

A normal libido is good for you and regular exercising your sex drive leads to lower levels of stress, better relationships, higher levels of confidence and mental health, better sleep and even to greater levels of exercise. 

However, there can be a point when your libido becomes too much and stops being healthy.

Warning sings of this include:

• Your sex drive interferes with your life, health, work, etc.
• You can’t stop thinking about sexual desires
• You use sex as a coping mechanism
• Your partner is complaining about your sex drive
• You never feel fulfilled after sex

Don’t worry if this sound like you – the odds are good it’s not your fault and that it can be treated. 

High libido is often caused by medication use, brain conditions and overly high levels of mood enhancing chemicals in the brain. 

If you experience symptoms of high libido it’s important to talk to a physician who will narrow down the causes and then treat them. 

Signs Of An Overly Low Libido (And What To Do About It)

Low libido is the opposite issue, it’s when your sex drive wanes or disappears entirely.

In men (and some women), it’s a common sign of low teststoerone, but there are other potential reasons for low libido. 

The warning signs are:

• No interest in sex with a partner or masturbation
• No sexual fantasies
• Potentially, feeliing stressed about this lack of desire

You should consult a doctor who will try to diagnose the problem. If it’s low testosterone they may recommend testosterone boosters or other forms of testosterone replacement.

But it might also be:

• Discomfort during intercourse
• Prescription drugs
• Low self-esteem
• Alcoholism
• Diabetes
• High-blood pressure
• Fatigue
• Pregnancy 
• Smoking
• Relationship Problems
• Body Image Issues

That means that there are many possible treatments for low libido which may include (in addition to the testorone replacement already mentioned): 

• Lifestyle changes – exercise, stress management, eating right, giving up cigarettes/drugs/alcohol and learning to better communicate with your partner
• Behavioral therapy – seeing a specialist counsellor who can help you clear up any emotional blockages preventing desire
• Medical treatment – this will usually be a drug designed to help stimulate sexual desire and for some men, it may also include treatment for erectile dysfunction
• Hormone therapy – women may also be offered prasterone if they experience pain or discomfort during intercourse

Final Thoughts On Libidos

So, there you have it. Libidos aren’t that complicated – they’re just the measure of a person’s sexual desire in a given moment.

You should expect regular changes in your libido and having a temporary high or low libido is a natural thing.

If, however, the problem persists, it’s worth talking to a physician and seeking help with your libido. These problems are natural and are often very easy to treat.

A healthy libido leads to a happy and satisifed life.