In brief
Less interest in sex than is normal for you. It is common, and tiredness, stress, relationship factors, mood, medicines and hormone changes can all affect it.
- Testosterone is highest in the morning and falls during the day, so the timing of a test matters.
- Stress may reduce your desire for sex and can lead to fertility problems, according to healthdirect.
- See your doctor if low sex drive is causing you distress.
When to get help
Get help now
- If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero (000) immediately.
See your doctor if
- Low sex drive is causing you distress.
- You also have other sexual symptoms, such as pain during sex.
Things that can contribute
- Stress
- Tiredness
- Relationship and emotional factors
- Some medicines
- Hormone changes
- Getting older
Questions you could ask your GP
- Could my medicines be affecting my sex drive?
- Should my hormone levels be checked?
- Would a referral to a counsellor or specialist help?
Based on healthdirect Australia, Female libido (loss of). You can also check your symptoms with the healthdirect Symptom Checker, or speak with a registered nurse on 1800 022 222.
How it works
Libido may decrease as you get older. Tiredness or stress, relationship and emotional factors, changes in hormone levels and some medicines, such as pain medicines or medicines for anxiety or depression, can all affect sex drive.
Testosterone influences mood, energy levels and sex drive. When sex drive is low in men, doctors will likely test testosterone along with the hormones FSH and LH. Losing interest in sex is also a symptom of depression.
Connections
4 connections on the map. Select a topic to read its page.
Low sex drive is linked with
- Chronic stress (allostatic load) Supported
Stress may reduce your desire for sex and can lead to fertility problems.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Stress
Testosterone influences mood, energy levels and sex drive.
Low sex drive can be caused by
Losing interest in sex (reduced libido) is a symptom of depression.
Loss of libido is one of the symptoms of menopause.
Lab tests
Medicines and supplements
General education only. Never start, stop or change a medicine without your prescriber.
Sources
Each connection above names its own source. See every source AskBioMap uses.
Summarised from healthdirect and Pathology Tests Explained. Sources read on 12, 13, 16 and 19 October 2026. General education only, not medical advice. Spotted a mistake? Please tell us through the HuBu-Intel contact page.