No longer in the mood? What lies behind loss of libido
Learn what lies behind loss of libido, what your pelvic floor has to do with it and which tips can help you rediscover your libido.
Katharina Heilen · 29 November 2024
You used to experience desire regularly, but that has changed? Everyday life, stress or simply life itself can cause your desire for sex to suddenly disappear. This can be unsettling, but don't worry – you are not alone! Explore with MyPelvi what lies behind loss of libido, the role your pelvic floor plays and which tips can help you rediscover your libido.
What controls sex drive?
Your libido is controlled by your hormones, but your physical condition, well-being, emotions and external influences can also affect your libido.
The role of hormones in loss of libido
Hormones are the invisible directors of your body and play a central role in libido:
- Testosterone, often known as the “male hormone”, affects sexual desire in women and men alike – a deficiency can therefore lead to reduced desire in both sexes. - Oestrogen, progesterone and the “cuddle hormone” oxytocin also contribute significantly to desire. Fluctuations in these hormones, for example due to menopause, pregnancy, breastfeeding or stress, can disrupt the balance and reduce libido. - Even thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism, have an effect: a deficiency can lead to general fatigue and listlessness.
The good news is that many of these hormonal fluctuations are natural and often temporary. Managing stress consciously, exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet can help stabilise hormone levels and restore your libido. If these measures do not result in any improvement, seek medical advice.
The role of the pelvic floor in loss of libido
It may sound surprising, but the pelvic floor has an enormous influence on your sexual experience and sense of desire. This rather inconspicuous muscle group not only supports your organs, but also plays a central role in loss of libido.
A trained pelvic floor can improve blood flow to your intimate area and intensify your sense of desire. A strong pelvic floor also helps you experience greater control and sensitivity during sex. This can increase pleasure and your ability to have an orgasm.
Targeted pelvic floor training not only supports your physical health and well-being, but can also rekindle your libido. You can receive particularly targeted pelvic floor training with the MyPelvi chair.
Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, you can train your pelvic floor without any effort at all. Or should we say: have it trained? During a 22-minute session, magnetic waves emanating from the chair cause your muscles to contract up to 25.000 times. Don't worry, this process is completely safe and is always discreetly supervised by our MyPelvi experts. Simply sit down in your everyday clothes and lean back:
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MyPelvi sessions can be easily integrated into everyday life or your training. This strengthens not only your libido, but also your self-confidence and body awareness – important factors that can work together to increase your desire naturally.
Why do I no longer have a sex drive?
The reasons for a declining sex drive are varied and often individual. They include, for example:
- Hormonal fluctuations, such as during the menopause or pregnancy - Stress, e.g. due to excessive pressure at work - Lack of sleep - Emotional strain, such as interpersonal conflicts - Low self-esteem - Physical discomfort, e.g. due to illness - Weakened pelvic floor muscles
The pelvic floor not only supports your organs, but is also closely connected to your sexual sensations. If the pelvic floor muscles are weak or you have had to undergo pelvic floor surgery (e.g. due to a prostatectomy), this can lead to reduced blood circulation in the intimate area, which may affect your libido [1].
A weakened pelvic floor can also be emotionally distressing. Consider, for example, lower body awareness, discomfort and unpleasant social situations if uncontrolled urine leakage occurs. These situations can lead to insecurity and also have a negative effect on libido
The positive news: Targeted MyPelvi pelvic floor training can strengthen the muscles, which can not only increase your physical control and sensitivity but may also boost your libido:
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When does sex drive decrease?
A woman's sexual drive can fluctuate throughout life due to various reasons. Libido often decreases during life phases that feature significant hormonal changes, such as puberty, pregnancy, lactation, or menopause.
Also, aging brings about hormonal changes: Estrogen levels decrease in women and testosterone levels drop for men around the age of 50. Additionally, there is a natural decline in skeletal muscle mass. Each year after 50, people lose approximately 1–2% of their muscle mass, which naturally affects the pelvic floor muscles, leading to reduced blood flow in the intimate area and decreased libido.
Staying physically fit and strengthening your pelvic floor with MyPelvi's 22-minute sessions are therefore excellent ways to actively support sexual desire throughout young and later life:
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What does the body lack when sexual desire is low?
If you can rule out a weakened pelvic floor, it may be useful to have your body checked for nutrient deficiencies. Vitamin D, for example, can be a real mood booster – a deficiency can lead to loss of libido and a general feeling of being unwell.
Iron, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids are also important for your well-being and desire. If you often feel tired or drained, your body may be lacking precisely these nutrients. A blood test with your doctor can quickly provide clarity.
How can I increase my libido? A checklist
Sexual desire is a complex interplay of physical, emotional and social factors. The following MyPelvi checklist gives you an overview of the most important prerequisites for greater desire.
Checklist for loss of libido
- Do you feel emotionally connected to your partner? - Do you regularly make time for each other, without distractions and everyday stress? - Do you use small, loving gestures to strengthen the connection with your partner? - Do you get enough sleep to feel physically and mentally fit? - Do you eat a balanced diet and maintain a healthy lifestyle? - Do you exercise regularly to reduce stress and stabilise your hormone balance? - How high is your stress level in everyday life, and do you consciously take breaks to relax? - Do you train your pelvic floor to promote sensitivity and blood flow in the intimate area? - Do you feel that your pelvic floor is strong enough to improve control and sensitivity? - Has your sense of desire changed following events such as pregnancy or illness? - Do you speak openly with your partner about your wishes and needs?
These questions can help you better understand your own sense of desire and make targeted changes where appropriate.
What can I do about loss of libido?
Loss of libido can often be positively influenced through small changes and targeted measures.
Pelvic floor training
For targeted training, it is best to seek professional support, for example from MyPelvi. The MyPelvi experts will discreetly help you develop an individual, personalized plan for your pelvic floor health. Best of all, the training takes only 22 minutes and, thanks to state-of-the-art magnetic wave technology, requires no effort on your part. You can simply sit back and relax:
Regular exercise
Movement like yoga, walking, Pilates or gentle strength training promotes overall well-being. Regular physical activity can stimulate hormone production and improve circulation, which can positively affect libido.
Mindfulness and stress relief
Meditation exercises or breathing techniques can reduce stress, and less stress often means greater desire. Mindfulness exercises, such as consciously noticing bodily sensations, can enhance your body awareness and libido.
Healthy diet
Eat a balanced diet rich in important nutrients like zinc, magnesium, and vitamin D, as these play a key role in hormone balance. Try adding ginseng, maca, or ginger to your meals — these natural plant compounds are considered potentially libido-boosting.
Enough sleep and recovery
A regular sleep routine promotes not only your overall well-being but also your libido, as it allows the body to recover fully. Consciously schedule time for relaxation and avoid overexertion to promote energy and desire in everyday life.
Open communication in a relationship
Talk openly about your wishes and needs to foster emotional closeness and reduce any frustration. Do not neglect tenderness and affectionate touch in everyday life – they strengthen the bond and can promote desire naturally.
Check for hormonal causes
If your loss of libido persists, have a medical examination and check whether you have a hormonal deficiency or imbalance. A blood test can reveal deficiencies that can be addressed in a targeted way through supplements or treatment. Loss of libido can have many causes, but fortunately the causes are often easy to address or are temporary anyway. Do not underestimate your pelvic floor, as it plays a surprisingly important role in your desire and can be positively influenced by targeted training. MyPelvi gives you the opportunity to have your pelvic floor strengthened in a targeted way and thereby increase your libido safely and discreetly. Try out what feels good for you and remember: Sexuality is something that develops and continually unfolds in new ways.
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