Decrease in Sexual Desire Between Partners

The degree of sexual desires varies from person to person with no specific standard. While sexual desire can vary from person to person, it also tends to change based on the person’s relationship with their partner. These desires can be affected from factors, such as biological, psychological, developmental, social factors and partner harmony.

Low libido is one of the most common problems affecting many women and men. Loss of sexual desire is more prevalent in women, although it is also seen among men. As per the studies carried out by the North American Menopause Society, approximately 5.4 to 13.6% of women in the United States of America have hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), which is also known as sexual desire/arousal disorder. According to another study, lack of sexual appetite is observed in nearly one-third of women aged 18-59.

While the frequency of sexual intercourse may change based on the duration of the relationships, there is no specific frequency of relationship to be called “normal”. The predominant factors determining the frequency of sexual intercourse include age, the process of relationship, gestation and time. As sexual life can get in a cycle in long-term relationships, partners may lose interest in one another. This situation ranks first among the causes of divorce.

While the happiness in a relationship is one of the primary things to be taken into consideration among the causes of partner-specific loss of sexual appetite, the fundamental conditions of a satisfying sexuality are reciprocal respect and strong communication.  A decrease in interpersonal sexual attraction caused by having a long-term relationship, removal of social boundaries, frequent arguments with the partner, weak communication, and distrust can be counted among some of the causes of low libido. Additionally, a differentiation in inter-partner libido levels negatively affects the relationship. This situation can make the person with low libido anxious, thus causing the unwillingness to increase even more.

Today, it is possible to treat lack of sexual appetite. Sharing the problem with the sexual partner, which is followed by a consultation with a specialist, is extremely important. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, which focuses on the happenings of the current moment, as well as individual behavioral therapy, sexual therapy and couples/family therapy, can be implemented as treatment methods.

REFERENCES:
Sandra R. Leiblum,Treating Sexual Desire Disorders: A Clinical Casebook
https://www.healthline.com/health/inhibited-sexual-desire#causes
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/low-sexual-desire#sexual-desire-in-men
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/loss-of-libido/
https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/features/loss-of-sexual-desire-in-women#1
https://www.healthline.com/health/treating-hsdd/impact-on-relationships#3
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/low-sexual-desire#treatment-of-low-sexual-desire