If you have typed "What is the meaning of libido?" into a search bar, you are not alone and you are not overthinking it. Libido is simply the medical and everyday term for sexual drive: your interest in or desire for sexual activity. It is a normal, fluctuating part of human health, influenced by hormones, mental health, relationships and lifestyle.
What surprises most people is just how common changes in libido actually are. Australian research shows low sexual desire affects more than a quarter of adults in their twenties and the majority of people by midlife, which means questions about libido are far more universal than the silence around the topic suggests. In this blog, DirectMeds will provide you with everything you need to know about the meaning of libido, what affects it, how it differs between men & women and when it is worth speaking to a doctor.
Quick Snapshot: Libido by the Numbers
Statistic | Figure | Source |
Low sexual desire in Australian women aged 18 to 24 | 27.40% | |
Low sexual desire in Australian women aged 75 to 79 | 91.60% | |
Low desire among midlife Australian women (40 to 65) | 69.30% | |
Low solitary sexual desire in Australian men | 67.70% | |
Men reporting lack of interest in sex (national survey) | 28% | |
Women reporting lack of interest in sex (national survey) | 52% | |
Australian men reporting any sexual difficulty (2022) | 64.70% |
What is the Meaning of Libido?
Simply put, libido refers to the amount of sexual desire someone has. "Libido" is derived from the Latin word meaning "desire" or "passion." In psychology, libido was originally developed by Sigmund Freud as a type of "psychic energy" and expanded upon by his successor Carl Jung, who defined libido more broadly to include all aspects of life rather than strictly sexual urges.
As it is used in medicine today, libido is more narrowly defined and refers specifically to someone’s wish to engage in sexual behavior (i.e., have sex with themselves or another). It does not refer to someone’s performance during sexual activity (i.e., arousal, erection, orgasm). People can experience strong libidos yet have physical limitations or have low libidos despite normal functioning; libido has to do with wanting sexual activity, not with physically engaging in sexual activity.
In general, doctors are beginning to use libido as a marker of overall well-being, overall health, and quality of life in addition to being a marker of sexual wellness, as previously defined.
Where the Word Comes From
The Latin word for desire is the ultimate source of the word. Its clinical use as a noun was widely used in early 20th-century psychoanalytic theory. Freud used libido to describe one aspect of human instinct and tied it to the pleasure-seeking instincts we exhibit. Jung described the libido as a more generalized form of psychic or life energy and included sexual desire along with many other forms of expression. Today, most people use the term "libido" to refer to sexual desire specifically and do not relate it to its roots in psychoanalysis.
What is Considered a 'Normal' Libido?
There is no single definition according to number or frequency or threshold for a "normal" libido. There is a huge variation in sexual desire among individuals, as well as within an individual over time due to their age, stress level, stage of the relationship, hormone levels, and overall health status. For some individuals, they will think about wanting to have sex daily and for other individuals, they may go for extended periods of time with no interest in sex.
Libido is typically only viewed as something that needs to be addressed when there has been:
- Persistent rather than a short term dip
- A noticeable drop from that person's own usual baseline
- Causing personal distress, anxiety or relationship tension
If you do not meet any of the above criteria, fluctuations in sexual desire are just a manifestation of the normal variability of sexual desire in the human population; they are not a medical issue that requires resolution.
What Affects Libido?
Libido is influenced by a mixture of biological, psychological and lifestyle factors and falls into four major groups.
1. Hormonal Factors
Testosterone is the most important hormone associated with sex drive in both men and women. Since men have approximately 40 times more circulating testosterone than women, this contributes to the average reported differences in desire. Women's oestrogen and prolactin levels change throughout their lives through the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause, which also affects libido. Oxytocin and dopamine are two other important hormones that affect arousal, motivation, and bonding during sexual activity.
2. Psychological Factors
- Stressful situations and elevated cortisol levels are both associated with decreased sexual desire.
- Depression, anxiety, and feelings of being low or sad about oneself cause a drop in sexual interest.
- Body image issues and low self-esteem prevent people from wanting to have sex.
- Previous trauma, including sexual abuse or assault can lead to a lack of sexual desire.
- Performance anxiety can cause people to have sexual difficulties after having had a prior troubled sexual experience.
3. Relationship Factors
- Unresolved or emotional distance between partners can cause problems with sexual intimacy.
- Lack of sexual compatibility (having different levels of libido) can also lead to sexual difficulties between partners.
- Long-term relationship dynamics change the level of desire partners have for each other.
- Lack of privacy or having time without distraction can stop partners from being able to spend time together.
4. Medical & Lifestyle Factors
- Chronic Conditions: Such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, thyroid conditions, anaemia
- Certain Medication Side effects: Particularly from antidepressants (SSRIs), & certain types of Contraceptives
- Poor Sleep / Excessive Alcohol Consumption & Smoking
- Too Little or Too Much Exercise
- Getting Older & Declining Levels of Testosterone with Age
Libido in Men vs Women: How the Data Compares
Population studies have consistently found that there are differences in how male & female libidos differ in terms of prevalence and presentation though both genders have significant rates of reported low desire.
Measure | Men | Women |
Lack of interest in sex (national AU survey) | 28.00% | 52% |
Low sexual desire (community studies) | ~15% | ~30% |
Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) | ~8% | ~10% |
Low desire in midlife (40–65 age group) | 13.5% (dyadic) | 69.30% |
Signs of Healthy vs Low Libido
Healthy / Typical Libido | Signs of Low Libido |
Desire fluctuates but feels consistent with your own baseline | Persistent, unusual drop in interest in sex |
Occasional dips during stress or illness that resolve | Ongoing lack of sexual thoughts or fantasies |
No distress about the frequency of desire | Distress, worry, or relationship strain about desire |
Desire returns to baseline once a stressor passes | Little to no interest even when stressors ease |
When Should You See a Doctor?
Low libido often resolves itself over time; however, it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor (GP, endocrinologist or telehealth provider) if:
- You have experienced low libido for several months without improvement
- You are distressed/anxious about it or it is otherwise affecting your relationship.
- Your low libido started suddenly after starting a new medication.
- You have other symptoms such as fatigue/change in mood/erectile dysfunction/irregular menstrual cycles.
The physician should be able to:
- Assess for hormone levels.
- Review current medications from a side effect perspective.
- Screen for any other potential cause of low libido (e.g., chronic diseases/meds).
- Discuss the spectrum of options from counseling through to testosterone replacement therapy (if clinically indicated).
Understanding Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
Doctors may diagnose Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) when low libido is ongoing, distressing, and cannot be attributed to other causes. The primary symptom is a lack of desire for sex that causes distress and has lasted for at least six months. Someone who has naturally low desire and is not bothered by it does not qualify for this diagnosis.
Women are the most commonly diagnosed individuals with HSDD, as there are approximately 10% of adult women diagnosed and a smaller percentage of men. HSDD can be either generalized or situational, lifelong or acquired. HSDD occurs due to a disturbance between sexual excitation and inhibition in the brain that involves hormone (e.g., testosterone) and neurotransmitter (e.g., dopamine and serotonin) factors.
A multi-faceted approach that covers biological, psychological and social aspects of HSDD is taken to treat this condition. Individuals will be evaluated for medical or hormonal causes of their low libido, access sex therapy or couples counseling and prescribed medication as indicated.
How to Increase Libido
Solutions to low libido typically lie in fixing the root of the issue, rather than trying to find a quick solution. These include:
- Stress Management: When you experience chronic stress, your body produces cortisol as a response and, in turn, suppresses the hormones responsible for sex drive.
- Prioritising Sleep: Good sleep is very important in regulating hormones, including testosterone.
- Exercise: Staying active promotes blood flow, mood, and energy levels.
- Consult with a doctor regarding medications: Many antidepressant medications, contraceptives, and high blood pressure medications may lower your sex drive; therefore, you should consult with your physician before reducing any of them.
- Work on Relationship Problems: Resolving desire discrepancy can be achieved through open communication with your partner or couples/sex therapy.
- Treat Underlying Conditions: Conditions such as diabetes, thyroid problems, depression, or anxiety should be treated, which most likely will lead to increased sexual desire as well.
- Use supplements cautiously: There is little research to prove that supplements will help and some supplements/medications may interact negatively with other medications; therefore, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplements.
If after making these changes, you still have a low libido consult with your GP, endochrinologist, or telehealth provider, who can evaluate your hormone levels, review your medications, and provide additional treatment options.
Getting Support Through Telehealth
Many have experienced libido-related issues at some time within their lives so there is minimal need for individuals to engage in the more common waiting room scenario before having the conversation about it. There are now several Australian telehealth services available where people can access doctors registered with the AHPRA via their computers (telehealth from home) and thereby confidently discuss changes in their libido and also gain additional assessment or treatment if clinically appropriate/necessary, without any concerns from an in-office visit creating any barriers to obtaining help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the simplest meaning of libido?
Libido is another term used for sex drive, or what someone desires regarding sexual activity. Libido is a normal part of health and fluctuates during various periods.
Is low libido normal?
Yes, there are temporary changes with respect to a person's libido due to many contributing factors. The main reasons for the temporary reductions in libido include stress, tiredness (fatigue), illness, medications (including common pain medications) and life changes. Once the changes to libido become a chronic issue and/or create distress for an individual, there will be concerns regarding their libido.
What causes low libido in men?
Men can experience low libido for many reasons, following are the most common: Decreased testosterone levels (age-related), stress, depression, medications, poor sleep habits, excessive alcohol consumption and underlying conditions (e.g., diabetes and/or heart disease).
What causes low libido in women?
Women can experience low libido due to several different reasons, following are the most frequently reported causes: Pregnancy/breastfeeding, hormonal fluctuations associated with the menstrual cycle, relationship issues, mental health issues and certain medications (antidepressants and/or hormonal contraceptives).
Can libido be increased naturally?
A healthy sex drive can come from things like sleeping well, stress management, physical activity, moderating alcohol consumption and addressing relationship or mental health issues. If you believe your low libido might be the result of a medical condition, then your healthcare provider will be able to direct you to other treatment options based on the situation.
When is low libido a medical problem rather than normal variation?
If low libido is persistent, atypical for the individual and causes distress or relationship difficulties, it should be discussed with a healthcare provider rather than waiting for it to resolve on its own.