Libido

Libido (also known as sexual desire or sex drive) is a person's overall sexual drive or desire for sexual activity. Libido is influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. Biologically, the sex hormones and associated neurotransmitters that act upon the nucleus accumbens (primarily testosterone and dopamine, respectively) regulate libido in humans. Social factors, such as work and family, and internal psychological factors, like personality and stress, can affect libido. Libido can also be affected by medical conditions, medications, lifestyle and relationship issues, and age (e.g., puberty). A person who has extremely frequent or a suddenly increased sex drive may be experiencing hypersexuality, while the opposite condition is hyposexuality.

Biological and environmental factors

Testosterone is one of the hormones controlling libido in human beings. Emerging research[1] is showing that hormonal contraception methods like oral contraceptive pills (which rely on estrogen and progesterone together) are causing low libido in females by elevating levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG binds to sex hormones, including testosterone, rendering them unavailable. Research is showing that even after ending a hormonal contraceptive method, SHBG levels remain elevated and no reliable data exists to predict when this phenomenon will diminish.

Psychological and social factors

Psychological and social factors can also affect libido. Stress, anxiety, and depression can affect a person's sex drive. Social issues, such as work and family, can also have an impact. In addition, certain lifestyle factors can affect libido, such as diet, exercise, and sleep patterns.

Medical conditions

Certain medical conditions can affect libido. These include endocrine disorders, such as hypothyroidism and diabetes, and neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. In addition, certain medications, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics, can affect libido.

Age and libido

Libido can also be affected by age. For example, testosterone levels in men decline as they age, which can lead to a decrease in libido. In women, libido can decrease after menopause due to a decrease in estrogen levels.

See also

• Sexual desire
• Hypersexuality
• Hyposexuality
• Testosterone
• Estrogen

References

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