{"id":43880,"date":"2019-12-11T10:03:43","date_gmt":"2019-12-11T10:03:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=43880"},"modified":"2023-01-25T10:40:45","modified_gmt":"2023-01-25T10:40:45","slug":"lack-of-sexual-desire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/physical-intimacy\/lack-of-sexual-desire\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways to Deal With Lack of Sexual Desire in Relationships"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-43882 size-full\" title=\"Relationship Goals Is the Lack of Sexual Desire Ruining Your Relationship\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Relationship-Goals-Is-the-Lack-of-Sexual-Desire-Ruining-Your-Relationship.jpg\" alt=\"Relationship Goals Is the Lack of Sexual Desire Ruining Your Relationship\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even teenagers know that sex is involved in an intimate relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even among virgin couples, partners eventually think about sex, and if it goes on long enough, it will eventually get there.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once a relationship reaches that point, each partner has more expectations of the other. Unfortunately, reality has different ideas. Individuals have different sex drives. It also changes depending on a multitude of factors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over time, it leads to frustrations and disappointments. The lack of sexual desire may sound trivial, especially to those with serious long-term relationships.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But those small cracks can break down the foundations of any relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-is-sexual-desire-in-a-relationship\"><\/span><b>What is sexual desire in a relationship?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sexual desire in a relationship refers to the interest one has in having sexual relations with their partner. It is usually at the base of sexual satisfaction for couples, as they enjoy sex with each other.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When there is a lack of sexual desire within a relationship, it can lead to further negativity taking root. The relationship can become unfulfilling and cause concern for the individuals involved.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why-is-sexual-desire-important-in-a-relationship\"><\/span><b>Why is sexual desire important in a relationship?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To understand the impact of the loss of sex drive towards your partner, we first need to understand why is sexual desire considered to be so important.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sexual desire is an important aspect of most relationships because:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sexual desire gives couples to intensify their <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologicalscience.org\/news\/releases\/a-48-hour-sexual-afterglow-helps-to-bond-partners-over-time.html\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bond with each other<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by including the sexual element within it<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sexual desire makes a couple find sexual value and fulfillment in each other<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sexual desire allows couples to enjoy time with each other while fulfilling their desires.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sexual desire increases a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2022.850278\/full\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">couple&rsquo;s investment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the relationship and faith in their compatibility with each other.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-72687\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/overcoming-the-lack-of-sexual-desire.jpg\" alt=\"Senior Couple With Problem in Relationship on Bed\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How-the-lack-of-sexual-desire-strains-a-relationship\"><\/span><b>How the lack of sexual desire strains a relationship<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having too much or too little sex sounds like a joke between serious couples.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sexual desire is often considered a given among romantic couples, but it doesn&rsquo;t stay that way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stress, boredom, mundane life, changing priorities, children, age, money problems, and many other &ldquo;adulting&rdquo; issues disrupt the state of mind and neglect the body.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most people forget that a person&rsquo;s physical and mental state directly influences the loss of sexual desire.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Such<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/loss-of-libido\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> loss of sexual arousal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> leads to irritation when their partner rejects their usual advances. It ends up frustrating both sides. That frustration, like all other frustrations, builds up over time. Individual people react differently to it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some relationship problems that may result from a lack of sex drive.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Cheating<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some partners may be tempted to find someone else to satisfy their needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They may even think that to prevent arguments and problems in the relationship, they would rather have a shallow relationship with other people, even prostitutes, to vent their frustrations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It may sound illogical to cheat to save your relationship, but if you have a partner who seems to have lost interest in sex, it might seem like a valid option.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Breakdown in trust and communication<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some couples argue about their decreased sex drive (or lack thereof). They would assume that their partners are not interested in sex and would stop asking or discussing it. This can domino into other topics, and the couple would end up not discussing anything.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it appears that your partner&rsquo;s sex drive is gone, it can lead to dishonesty and, eventually, a lack of trust. The relationship breaks down further from there.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Loss of romance and intimacy<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sex is a form of affection. Rejecting advances because there&rsquo;s no desire for sex will lead to both partners rejecting romance and intimacy as a whole.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That can lead to both parties being unsatisfied with the emotional aspect of their relationship. Like physical needs, they would eventually look to other people to satisfy them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watch this video to learn why being too logical can damage a relationship:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zjYKSUU7Chg\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5-ways-to-deal-with-lack-of-sexual-desire-in-relationships\"><\/span><b>5 ways to deal with lack of sexual desire in relationships&nbsp;<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It isn&rsquo;t always easy for couples to figure out when their sexless (or not enough) relationship is causing problems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes, couples don&rsquo;t trust each other enough to discuss the lack of sexual desire seriously. Talking about it is the first step, as many other actions need to come after these steps.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Action speaks louder than words, and it applies well in this case. Here&rsquo;s a list of how to increase sexual desire:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Relax<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The lack of sexual desire can be attributed to stress and fatigue. Spending a relaxing day together can help clear their state of mind and make them more willing to have sex.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the answer to the question, &ldquo;What causes low sex drive,&rdquo; is related to your mental health, meditation and other relaxing activities can help you.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Get healthy<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our attraction to sexy bodies is not about consumerism. It&rsquo;s universal and has been around way before marketing. Fit bodies can be attractive to some because it is a sign of good health and, in turn, strong genes for reproduction.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to control sexual desire?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eating right and regular exercise will increase your libido and attractiveness to the opposite sex.<\/span><\/p>\n<pre><b><i>Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/benefits-of-healthy-relationships\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20 Benefits of Healthy Relationships<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n<h3><b>3. Clean up<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A lot of people who are in long-term relationships neglect to pamper themselves. Additional responsibilities, such as child-rearing and household chores, take up all the time and energy that singles use to go to the spa and do other things to make themselves look good.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over time letting yourself go takes a toll on physical attractiveness. It&rsquo;s not that people in such relationships have no sexual desire; it&rsquo;s just that they can get it anytime and put less effort into it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Clean up and take care of your body.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even superficial changes such as lack of grooming, messy haircuts, dirty nails, and dental problems can damage sexual attractiveness and contribute to the lack of sexual drive in women and men.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<pre><b><i>Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/spring-clean-your-relationship\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">21 Effective Ways of How to Spring Clean Your Relationship<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n<h3><b>4. Make an effort<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best way to address low sexual desire disorder is to show each other that you care.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Usually, a person wants to see their partner putting in the effort to show how much they are loved and appreciated. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/counseling\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relationship counseling<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help you understand creative and effective ways to show your partner that you care for them.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Use your words<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Communication can go a long way, but such a sensitive topic may be awkward, even for serious couples.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wondering what happens when sexual desire goes away? Communication too takes a hit.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Action speaks louder than words, but telling your partner you love them and compliment their looks will do wonders for their self-confidence and libido.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The lack of sexual desire can also be attributed to self-worth and confidence. If you can use simple words to boost their <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/mental-health\/low-self-esteem-in-relationship\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">self-esteem<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it can also increase their sex drive.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Some-commonly-asked-questions\"><\/span><b>Some commonly asked questions<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of sexual desire in a relationship can become a significant cause for concern, as it can undermine the happiness and validation that people seek from a relationship. The certain key question about this can make things more clear.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Is lack of sexual desire a disease?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of sexual desire can be due to a certain disease or it could also be the symptom of an underlying disease. But it could also be related to the interpersonal dynamics between a couple or a temporary condition.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Is it normal to lose sexual desire in a relationship?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sexual desire within a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/keys-to-long-lasting-relationship-success\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">long-term relationship<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can go through ups and downs over time. However, if there is a loss of sex drive for a significant amount of time, this can be seen as problematic and worth paying attention to.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In-a-nutshell\"><\/span><b>In a nutshell<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The lack of sexual desire for a partner can lead to complications in a relationship. The solution is not complicated.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dating and pampering someone you are in love with shouldn&rsquo;t be difficult. Taking care of yourself shouldn&rsquo;t be a challenge, either.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just find the time to take care of yourself and your partner. Everything else, such as the lack of sexual desire, will fall into place.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":""},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Even teenagers know that sex is involved in an intimate relationship. Even among virgin couples, partners eventually think about sex, and if it goes on long enough, it will eventually get there. Once a relationship reaches that point, each partner has more expectations of the other. Unfortunately, reality has different ideas. Individuals have different sex drives. It also changes depending on a multitude of factors. Over time, it leads to frustrations and disappointments. The lack of sexual desire may sound trivial, especially to those with serious long-term relationships. But those small cracks can break down the foundations of any relationship. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1419,"featured_media":43882,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[2520],"class_list":["post-43880","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-physical-intimacy","tag-fix-desire-imbalance","has_thumb"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43880","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1419"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43880"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43880\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":82623,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43880\/revisions\/82623"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43882"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43880"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43880"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43880"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}