If you can’t pinpoint the last time you made the first move – or didn’t resist when your hubby did, these libido killers may be to blame. Here’s how to fight them off. By Diana Kelly, REDBOOK.
Your meds are turning you off
Among the biggest culprits are pills taken for fibromyalgia pain and antidepressants, says Stephanie Faubion, director of the Mayo Women’s Health Clinic in Rochester, MN. “Antidepressants can cause difficulty with arousal and orgasm – it’s like putting a big wet blanket over sexuality.” Medications with hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and different types of birth control can also be heavy on the body, says Dr. Sadie Allison, founder of TickleKitty.com and author of Ride ‘Em Cowgirl! But, don’t toss that bottle of pills just yet – and definitely don’t do it on your own. Ask your doctor if there’s an alternative, to reassess your need for that medication, or if she can decrease the dosage.
You’re programmed to sneeze every two minutes
If you, like some 50 million other Americans, suffer from allergies, you may never have felt worse. Sinus pressure, check. Congestion, check. Tired, check. Trouble focusing, check. A study inAllergy and Asthma Proceedings found that a whopping 83 percent of allergy sufferers say their symptoms are affecting their sex life. Dr. Faubion says this makes sense, and while you may not be able to magically banish tree pollen, you can grab a lubricant at the drugstore. Your antihistamines can cause vaginal dryness, so to enjoy sex, you’ll need it.
Your new diet is kind of insane
If you recently embarked on a new eating plan, extra weight isn’t the only thing that’ll disappear – your libido might as well. “Any little thing can tilt your body out of whack, so it’s important to be knowledgeable about what you’re doing so you can keep your body stable and happy,” says Dr. Sadie. “For a healthy libido, you need to keep your whole body healthy so it can work properly on its own.” Instead of opting for a fad diet, check in with your doctor and consider consulting a nutritionist to ensure your diet is balanced, healthy, and providing the nutrients you need to perform – in the bedroom and out.
Dreamland is calling your name
When you’ve had one of those days where all you’ve thought about is crawling back into bed, a roll in the hay with your guy probably isn’t what you had in mind for the moment you hit the mattress. “It’s the ‘heterosexual dilemma:’ men feel like they need to have sex to relax, and women need to relax to have sex,” says Dr. Faubion. “For women, all of the ducks need to be lined up in a row, and if they’re tired and have too many things on their mind, sex is going to be far down on the list.” So what are you waiting for? Go to bed at reasonable hour so you’ll be ready for a playdate with your guy tomorrow.
