How your hormones affect your sex drive (libido)

What's a normal sex drive?

There really isn't one! Everyone is different, and only you know what's normal for you.

But if your sex drive has changed recently, or you’re unhappy with it, it’s worth looking into. Low libido is a common issue that can affect anyone at any stage of life. It's okay to ask for advice.

Below are some of the potential causes.

Oestrogen and your sex drive

Oestrogen is one of the main female hormones. It helps regulate your periods, controls the development of your sex organs during puberty, and thickens the lining of your uterus so it can support a pregnancy. It's also important for your sex drive.

Low oestrogen levels can reduce your sex drive. Your levels can be low at any point in your life, but oestrogen naturally drops as you age and enter perimenopause or menopause.

Some other effects of low oestrogen that can also influence your sex drive include:

• vaginal dryness, which can lead to pain during sex
• sleep problems
• tiredness
• low mood, including depression

Testosterone and your sex drive

While testosterone is usually considered a "male" hormone, it's essential for women too, but in lower amounts. 

Healthy levels of testosterone in women are linked to a higher sex drive. In 2019, a team of experts concluded that testosterone therapy may help with low libido in women.

However, not all research agrees on this. A 2018 study of 78 women and 79 men found that when participants were less stressed, higher average testosterone levels reduced desire in women while increasing it in men.

Higher testosterone can sometimes be linked to hormone-related symptoms, including low libido. One possible cause is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), now known as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). This hormonal condition can cause a low libido, as well as:

• irregular periods
• acne or oily skin
• excess body hair
• dark patches of skin on the neck or armpits
• difficulty maintaining a healthy weight

Stress and your sex drive

When you're stressed, your body enters the “fight-or-flight” response, making your pulse faster, your muscles tense, and your mind more alert. 

This response is meant to help you escape danger. However, it also causes the release of the hormone cortisol. A 2026 review notes that cortisol appears to suppress arousal and divert blood away from sex organs.

After a stressful situation, your cortisol levels should quickly drop back down to normal. But if you're stressed a lot, levels stay high.

Because losing your sex drive can be stressful in itself, this can become a vicious cycle. However, there are lots of things you can do to lower your stress levels.

How your thyroid can affect your sex drive

Your thyroid gland produces hormones that help control your metabolism. If it's not working properly, it can affect your sex drive.

For example, low levels of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism) can be associated with extreme tiredness or a low mood, reducing your sex drive. 

If you think your thyroid gland might be the issue, you can test your thyroid function with a blood test. There are several treatment options available if anything is out of balance.

Other causes of a low sex drive

Your sex drive can be influenced by many different things, including:

• some mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression
• some medications, such as the contraceptive pill, medication for high blood pressure, or antidepressants
• difficulty getting aroused or having orgasms
• drinking too much alcohol
• relationship problems
• not being as sexually attracted to your partner
• pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you’re not sure what the cause is, it may help to speak with a medical professional.

Ways to boost your sex drive

A loss of interest in sex can feel frustrating, but it can be temporary. There are lots of ways to boost it, too.

It may help to:

• reduce stress
• schedule more quality time with your partner
• change up your routine in the bedroom
• cut back on alcohol

Depending on the cause, a doctor may also be able to suggest treatments, such as:

• hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• talk therapy or relationship counseling
• medications to aid with arousal or balance hormones
• strategies to manage other health conditions

If a medication you already take could be the cause, they may be able to advise on alternatives.

It's worth visiting your GP or a health professional to learn what's right for you.