Low Libido

Low libido, or loss of interest in sex, can affect women at any age and for a variety of reasons, but one of the most common causes is a hormonal imbalance. Clinton Ashford, MD, FACOG, Rebecca Ashford, MD, and Brookes Vaughan, NP, at The Ashford Center in Athens, Georgia, specialize in endometrial ablation, a minimally invasive procedure that can help rebalance your hormones and restore your sex drive. Call The Ashford Center or book a consultation online today to see if endometrial ablation can help you.

What is low libido?

Low libido means having a low sex drive. The desire to have sex varies enormously between different people, so it’s not appropriate to talk about what’s normal in a wider sense.

Low libido is only a problem if it’s causing you distress; for example, if you lose interest in sex and no longer want to have intercourse as often as you used to. This can negatively affect relationships and your sense of self.

What causes low libido?

There are many possible reasons why your libido may be low. There are natural changes at times throughout your life that can affect how interested you are in a sexual relationship, or there may be psychological issues affecting how you feel. Common causes of low libido include:

• Chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease
• Depression and other mood disorders
• Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Substance abuse, including smoking and excessive drinking
• Body image issues
• Extreme tiredness
• Stress
• Chronic fatigue
• Lack of enjoyment or fulfillment during sex
• Pregnancy and having young children

Production of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone has a significant influence on libido, so if you’re experiencing fluctuations or a reduction in the levels of sex hormones, it can impact your libido.

One of the times in your life when this is most likely to happen is during perimenopause and into menopause. Perimenopause is the first stage of the process when hormone levels start to drop, potentially causing a variety of physical and emotional symptoms in addition to a lowered libido.

Vaginal dryness that causes uncomfortable sex, as well as problems like having hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings, can all contribute to lowering your libido, and many women find they lose interest in sex at this time.

How can endometrial ablation help with low libido?

Endometrial ablation can potentially help with low libido that’s related to hormonal imbalance. The endometrium that lines your uterus is closely linked to hormone levels, as hormones trigger the shedding process that causes you to bleed when you have your period.

Endometrial ablation removes your endometrium quickly, without the need for invasive surgery. Once your endometrium is gone, you won’t have periods anymore, reducing the effects of the hormones on your libido.

Dr. Ashford specializes in carrying out endometrial ablation procedures for women who are sure they aren’t going to want children in the future.

To find out more about endometrial ablation and how it could help you, schedule a consultation online or by phone today.