Libido is a complex phenomenon that is the result of an intricate interplay between psychological, social, physical, and endocrine factors.
Estradiol
, a form of estrogen, is present in both male and female bodies and is linked to libido, erectile function, and sperm production. Progesterone also plays a key role in regulating estrogen and is necessary for testosterone production. Hypogonadism occurs when the gonads, or sex glands, produce little or no sex hormones.This condition affects people of all genders, both adolescents and adults. Hypogonadism is sometimes referred to as gonadal deficiency. Libido is a term used to describe sexual drive or desire for sexual activity. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality. Modern doctors recognize the importance of libido as one of the key indicators of general health and quality of life. Testosterone is a sex hormone primarily produced in the gonads.
A small amount is also produced in the adrenal glands. It is well-known for its role in contributing to physical traits such as strength and muscle mass, facial and body hair, and sperm production. However, it also plays a part in libido, vitality, bone density, fat distribution, and red blood cell production. Imbalances in this hormone can lead to decreased sexual desire, changes in sleep patterns, reduced muscle mass, and decreased self-esteem. Women taking hormonal contraceptives are unlikely to experience the same hormonal fluctuations in their libido since the synthetic hormones in contraceptives work to prevent ovulation. Meyers described four patients who showed a lasting loss of libido after a bilateral surgical lesion of the lenticular canal to alleviate abnormal bilateral movements.
When a person's libido is high, they are more likely to want to be sexually intimate and seek it out with a partner or through masturbation. It's important to note that there is a high degree of variation in how people experience libido. Certain habits can contribute to reduced libido such as physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol abuse. Whether you feel like your libido is in overdrive or you don't feel like having sex at all, you may feel uncomfortable thinking about it or talking about it with your partner or health professional. While a high libido may be beneficial in some cases, too high a libido can interfere with a person's quality of life and may be an indication of a hormonal imbalance, neurological disorder, or mood disorder such as hypersexuality. A high or low libido is only considered problematic if it affects relationships, sexual function, or a person's well-being or quality of life. Many women report an increase in libido during menstruation due to decreased progesterone levels.
However, the chances of getting pregnant during menstruation are very low. In general, periods when you have a low libido should not be cause for concern but if you notice a change in your sexual desire or discover that lack of libido is affecting your well-being then you should talk to your doctor. A persistently low libido may be an indication of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), which is characterized by persistent lack of sexual desire or fantasies without any known medical cause. In psychology, the libido is often described as part of the life instinct or instinctive biological drive for sex. While testosterone is often thought of as the source of male libido, the nervous system also plays an important role. If you feel like your libido is too high or too low then it's important to talk to your doctor about it so they can help you manage it.
