Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC, a pharmaceutical company, and should not be construed to constitute medical advice. I received compensation in exchange for writing this post, and my personal story and thoughts are my own. I am not a medical professional and am not qualified to give medical advice. Please talk with your doctor about your individual medical situation.

Sexual health is important and can affect your overall physical and mental health. And it’s no secret that sexuality plays a vital role in any woman’s life. So, any sexual health problem is oftentimes a clear indication that it’s time to think about what’s wreaking havoc on your sex life.

 

I know this all-too-well because I experienced it myself. My husband and I went through a rough patch in our sex life during the time we were adjusting to the immense changes in our work and home lives.

 

It all proved to be too much for me. Although I love my husband just as much (if not more) than I did the day that I married him, sex was the last thing on my mind during that period. I just couldn’t seem to get in the mood, no matter how hard he tried. Fortunately, we worked our way through it and got things back to normal.

 

When it comes to sexual health, there can be several reasons why you just don’t feel as turned on as you used to. Taking time to pinpoint the factor(s) causing the trouble is the key to getting your libido back on the right track.

 

Not sure where to begin? Here are 4 factors that may be impacting your sexual health.

 

1. Stress – Stress was the factor for me during the rough patch with my libido. The moment that I got it under control, my libido returned. Finding ways to reduce and even eliminate stress can work wonders for your libido, it can also improve your overall well-being both in the moment of intimacy and in the long run. Listening to music, drinking water, deep breathing, or even hugging someone can all be helpful in reducing stress—especially during alone time with your partner.

 

2. Schedules – Jobs, home responsibilities, and social activities can interfere with time to spend alone. This can lead to frustration and an overall disinterest in sex since the timing can’t be exactly when you want for the duration you want it. Schedule a date night when possible, or set the alarm a little earlier to enjoy a few moments alone together in the morning. If exhaustion at day’s end is the issue, try heading to bed earlier than normal to have time to be intimate before falling asleep. In situations like these, every bit of effort helps.

 

3. Bedroom Environment – When was the last time your bedroom had a makeover? A year ago? Five years or more? Chances are your surroundings are hindering the proper tone being set for intimacy. Talk to your partner about giving your bedroom a facelift. Work together to transform your bedroom into one that has a warm and cozy atmosphere with a grown and sexy feel. Ensure that your sleeping quarters not only speaks rest and relaxation, but also romance.

 

4. Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) – While it is true that how much desire you feel can depend on what’s happening in your life, your mind, or your body as mentioned above, there could be a reason that is altogether different. Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder – or HSDD – is one of the four Female Sexual Dysfunctions (FSD) that is classified as a medical condition. And it’s fairly common. In fact, it is believed that approximately 4 million women have it.

 

HSDD is characterized by low sexual desire that causes marked distress or interpersonal difficulty and is not due to a co-existing medical or psychiatric disorder (e.g., depression), medication or other substance or relationship problems. Simply put: you’re a healthy woman except for the fact that your desire to think about or have sex has faded — and it bothers you.

 

Having a condition like HSDD can hurt more than just your sex life. It can impact your overall well-being. That is why it is important to talk to your healthcare provider to determine if you have HSDD.

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Use the cheat sheet below to feel comfortable with sharing your sexual concerns at your next doctor’s visit.

There’s also a great online resource that has information, videos, and additional tools to help you learn more about it. HSDD is not something you need to go through alone.

 

The loss of your usual level of sexual desire doesn’t mean that your libido is lost forever. Determining the contributing factor(s) – and talking to a healthcare professional – can go a long way in reigniting your sexual health and helping you live a better life of wellness, health and happiness.

sexual health

 

For more information on HSDD and other Female Sexual Dysfunctions, visit FindMySpark.com.

sexual health