Times that try the soul also test the libido

(HealthDay News) – Sexual desire does indeed have an enemy, and it may not be loss of interest in your partner.

Instead, losing that loving feeling may have a lot to do with the times we live in: fear of the ups and downs of the economy, fear of the continuing specter of terrorism, stress on the job, and stress from raising a family.

Dr. Philip Sarrel, a Yale University psychiatrist who specializes in sexual problems, estimates that he's seen a large increase in the number of new patients with sexual problems since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

And that, he says, is perfectly normal.

"These are trying times. People are very sad and anxious, and that is not exactly an erotic state of mind," says Sarrel. The stress people are feeling since the attacks can affect hormone production, which can then affect sexual desire and performance, he says.

Dr. Steven Lamm, author of the book The Virility Solution , says, "When a population is under stress and anxious, one part of life that gets put on hold is the libido."

Don't despair though, say the doctors. Your sex drive likely will return to normal in time. However, both say don't try to force the issue. If you don't want to have sex, don't let your partner talk you into it. Sarrel recommends being intimate in other ways until your libido returns to its previous levels. "Don't stop touching each other and being close to each other." Right now, returning to the levels of intimacy you shared in early courtship could be enough, he says.

As with many problems, Sarrel says talking to your partner about the problem is key. "Don't lie there looking at the ceiling or have painful intercourse," he says. If you don't let your partner know what's going on, Lamm says he or she may feel rejected.

If you want to start feeling more amorous again, Lamm suggests trying to get back to as normal a schedule as possible. That means getting enough sleep, going back to your exercise program and probably watching less TV, especially news programs.

If you're worried about your waning sexuality, by all means, go to your doctor, says Sarrel. There often are biological reasons for a decreased sex drive. And, an improper balance of hormones can cause problems that will affect sexual performance, such as vaginal dryness.

Lamm says that taking antidepressants and other medications also can have a negative effect on your libido.

On the Web

One of the most enduring topics concerning sexual activity is whether there are indeed substances known as aphrodisiacs and whether they work. This article by the U.S. food and Drug Administration explores whether there is any substance that can be considered an aphrodisiac.

SOURCES: Interviews with Philip Sarrel, M.D., Professor, Obstetrics/Gynecology and Psychiatry, Yale University Health Services, New Haven, Conn.; Steven Lamm, M.D., author, The Virility Solution , clinical assistant professor of medicine, New York University School of Medicine
Author: Serena Gordon, HealthDay Reporter
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