Libido is a concept that was first introduced by Sigmund Freud to refer to the instinctive physiological or psychic energy associated with sexual impulses. Its origin can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root that means care, desire, and love. Throughout history, female libido has been heavily suppressed and women who expressed any kind of desire were met with harsh judgement. Despite this, Freud still maintained the sensual and basic sexual aspects of this concept. Freud's close friend and student, Carl Jung, adopted the concept of libido and sought to desexualize it so that it could encompass a wider range of psychic and creative energies.
During childhood, the libido focuses on the mouth, making activities such as eating, sucking, and drinking important. In modern society, libido is a concept with deep biological, psychological, social, and cultural significance. In his New Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis, Freud published his review and synthesis of the theory of libido. In rare cases where men experience a lack of libido, the causes can be attributed to alcoholism, illegal drug abuse, prescription drug use, obesity, and hormonal imbalance. The term has taken on a different meaning in its modern usage and is no longer seen as an exclusive force that drives personality development. Reduced libido may also be due to environmental stressors such as prolonged exposure to high levels of sound or bright light.
If we look at libido as a whole, there are physical, emotional, and psychological factors that can act as obstacles. Despite its long history of suppression, libido continues to play an important role in psychoanalysis.
