Libido, What Exactly Does It Mean?

We generally know what libido is, don’t we? Who’s the ‘we’ probably covers many physicians, health care providers and even gynecologists. The main textbook on endocrinology and infertility doesn’t even have libido or sexual desire in the index of topics; although it may be one of the most common complaints I get in our office!

Probably not. Some people say ‘I don’t want sex,’ my libido must be off. While that is ‘generally’ an ok definition of libido, there is so much more to libido than that.

And libido can vary, it’s ok to have your own definition, part of healthy libido is it has to match up with what you want your libido to be.

Libido is not necessarily a feeling that is controlled like a switch, it is a very nuanced set of feelings.

Libido in women does connect with arousal, and when both are working together they can seem like two parts of one whole but libido connects with arousal in a variety of complex ways and circumstances.

It is normal to feel aroused if being flirted with. It is also natural to want to flirt! It may mean your libido is off if you never notice flirting or want to flirt!

Hormones can be high, low, disordered, or perfectly functioning, and libido can also be on or off in all these clinical situations! But the more off the hormones are, the more likely libido will wane, such as during menopausal transition and the years post menopause.

Come in to Women’s Health Practice to discuss!