Patient Library / Women's Health / Low Libido
Low Libido
Low libido in women is almost always multifactorial, and rarely just psychological.
Low libido is one of the most common complaints I hear from women, and one of the most undertreated, because it's often dismissed as psychological or 'just stress.' In most cases, there are identifiable physiological drivers: low testosterone, elevated SHBG from the contraceptive pill, thyroid dysfunction, or estrogen decline. Finding them is what makes treatment work.
Testosterone Matters in Women
Testosterone is often thought of as a male hormone, but it's critical for female sexual desire and energy. It declines gradually through the reproductive years and more sharply at menopause, and is rarely measured.
The Pill Connection
Oral contraceptives raise SHBG, which binds and inactivates testosterone. This can persist for years after stopping the pill, an underdiagnosed cause of persistent low libido.
Physiological First
Addressing the hormonal and nutritional drivers of low libido produces results that no amount of psychological work alone can achieve. The physiological and relational are addressed together.
What You Need to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
References & Further Reading
This article is for education and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. For background reading, these independent health authorities offer evidence-based information:
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome — U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus)
- Endometriosis — U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus)
- Menopause — U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus)
- Infertility — U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus)
- Menopause Information for Women — The Menopause Society (NAMS)
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Read moreHow I Treat This
These are the services I most commonly draw on when working with low libido.
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