An unsuspected decrease in libido, primarily when it occurs repeatedly or over a long period of time, can show signs of personal issues, health problems, lifestyle or relationship issues.

Indications of losing a desire for sex 

How would we know if we have a decreased libido? Here are four symptoms that indicate a decrease in someone’s sex drive: a decrease in sexual activity, a decrease in sexual appetite that is not related to any physical or mental condition or any other usage of drugs, difficulties to engage in sexual activities and a feeling that it is a burden to manage a relationship with a partner because of a lack of desire for sexual activity.

The cause of a woman's declining sex drive 

There are four factors that decrease a woman's libido: physical causes, hormonal changes, psychological causes and relationship issues. 

Physical factors

Various diseases, physical changes and drugs that can cause a decrease in sex drive include:

- Sexual problems. If you encounter pain during intercourse or have difficulties achieving orgasm, those can obstruct your sexual drive.

- Medical conditions. Many non-sexual-related diseases can affect the desire to engage in coitus, such as arthritis (joint inflammation),  cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery diseases and nervous disorders.

- Drugs. Many drug recipes, including some anti-depressants and anti-seizures are famous for being libido killers.

- Contraception. The libidos of many women decrease when they use contraceptive devices.  Contraception devices that cause this include POPs, combined pills, vagina rings, Depo-Provera injections  and contraceptive implants.

- Lifestyle. Too much alcohol consumption can ruin your sex drive -- the same with cigarettes and narcotics because cigarettes can decrease blood flow and dampen libido.

- Surgery. All kinds of surgery, but primarily the kind related to the breasts and genitals, can result in a decrease in sexual function and the urge to engage in coitus.

- Weariness. Tiredness caused by taking care of children or the elderly may cause a low libido level. Fatigue caused by certain diseases or post-surgery may contribute to a decrease of sex drive.

(Read also: Are women with no children at greater risk of ovarian cancer?)

Hormonal changes

Changes in hormonal levels may affect your sex drive, such as:

- Menopause. Estrogen levels may decrease during menopause. This can lead to a decreased interest in sex and dry out the vaginal tissues, making sex painful and uncomfortable. Although many menopausal women still enjoy sex lives, there are indeed those who lose their libido.

- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Hormonal change during pregnancy, labor and breastfeeding is not the only thing that dampens a libido. Weariness, changes in body form, the feeling of stress and depression during pregnancy and post-pregnancy may cause changes to your sex drive.

Psychological factors

There are many factors contributing to a decrease libido level, including mental illness, such as worrying or depression, stress due to financial or work issues, low self esteem and an experience of sexual or physical abuse.

Relationship issues

For most women, emotional closeness is important before engaging in sexual intercourse. So relationship issues may contribute to a low sex drive. Decreases in sexual drives often originate from ongoing relationship issues, such as a lack of a relationship with your partner, existing unsolved conflicts, poor communication of sexual needs and preferences and infidelity.

If you have concerns about your libido, especially when your sex drive keeps decreasing even though you don’t have the above-mentioned symptoms,  you need to consult your doctor. (kes)