Body & health

Libido

Alsosex drivesexual desiresexual appetitelibedohigh sex drive

Not yet reviewed by a clinician. This health entry was written from the public-health sources listed below and is general information only. It is not medical advice.

Definition

Libido is a person's overall interest in or desire for sexual activity. It varies widely between people and changes over a lifetime.

At a glance

  • Libido is a person's overall interest in or desire for sexual activity.
  • It is shaped by hormones, health, medications, stress, sleep, mood, relationships and body image.
  • There is no correct level of libido; both high and low desire can be healthy.
  • Desire can be spontaneous or appear in response to closeness and touch.
  • A change in libido that causes distress is worth discussing with a doctor or sex therapist.

In detail

Libido is shaped by hormones, physical health, medications, stress, sleep, mood, relationship dynamics, body image and past experiences. There is no correct level: some people rarely feel sexual desire, some often, and both can be healthy. Desire can also be spontaneous or appear in response to closeness and touch.

A change in libido that causes distress, or a big difference in desire between partners, is common and worth talking about. A doctor can look for physical causes such as low hormone levels, depression or side effects of antidepressants, while a sex therapist can help with emotional and relationship factors.

In a sentence

  • She noticed her libido dropped after starting a new medication and mentioned it to her doctor.
  • The couple talked openly about having different libidos.

Where the word comes from

From Latin libido, meaning desire or longing. It entered English usage largely through psychoanalysis in the early 20th century, especially the work of Sigmund Freud.

Not to be confused with

  • Arousal

    Arousal is the body's physical and mental response in the moment; libido is the broader level of interest.

Common questions

What is a normal libido?

There is no single normal level. Some people rarely feel sexual desire and some often, and both can be healthy. Libido also changes over a lifetime and with circumstances such as stress, health and relationships.

What can cause low libido?

Possible factors include hormonal changes, depression, side effects of medications such as some antidepressants, stress, tiredness, relationship issues and past experiences. If a change bothers you, a doctor can look for physical causes, and a sex therapist can help with emotional and relationship factors.

Related terms

Sources

  1. MedlinePlusSexual Problems in Women
  2. MedlinePlusSexual Problems in Men