Top 7 factors killing your sex drive

A reduced sex drive can be very frustrating and a number of problems, from depression to physical disorders, could be to blame. However, if you are bothered that decreased libido is affecting your relationship, there is some good news for you. With some basic lifestyle changes and sexual techniques you can overcome these problems easily. At the same time, it is equally important to know the main factors that affect your libido. From physiological to psychological factors, here are some common sex-drive killers. Erectile dysfunctions: Poorly understood and mismanaged, erectile dysfunction is another major factor that can affect your sex drive. According to reports, this condition is very common in men above the age of 40 but only a few cases come to light. This is primarily due to lack of knowledge as most people believe that it is a psychological rather than a physiological condition that cannot be treated. However, on the contrary, the condition is eminently curable with the help of drugs and medicinal procedures. Menopause: In women, physical changes like menopause can affect physical intimacy and sexual drive. Although, menopause itself does not affect your ability to have sex, the reduced hormone levels may cause certain discomforts like vaginal dryness and pain during sex. This may also prolong your period to reach an orgasm. Depression: If you are constantly popping antidepressant pills or if you are suffering from signs of clinical depression, it's no wonder that your sex life is suffering a major set-back. One of the major hallmarks of depression is reduced interest in sex. Be aware that both depression and antidepressant pills can affect your libido. Thus, it is advisable to treat the condition at the earliest. Less sleep: A consistent sleep pattern is another vital factor for boosting your sex life. In case you depend only on weekends to catch up on your sleep, you don't have to search for any other cause for your decreased libido. There is a direct connection between sleeplessness and reduced sexual urge. Researchers believe that fewer sleeping hours can trigger the production of the stress hormone cortisol which plays a major role in reducing the testosterone levels. Parenting: It's true that parenting is a tough job and can even affect your physical and mental health at times. But, did you know that it can even affect your sex life? No, we are not talking at a hormonal level. It is just the fact that while taking care of your baby, you often don't find the zeal, time or energy to get intimate with your partner. Try hiring a part-time caretaker or plan for some "quickies" during your baby's nap time. Excessive alcohol consumption: Excessive alcoholic consumption is linked to impotence and infertility in both the sexes. It is true that a few sips of your favorite wine helps you open up and puts you in the mood to indulge but it can also freeze your sex drive at the same time. Long term overuse of alcohol, in particular, affects the nervous system and interferes with impulses between the pituitary glands in the brain and the genitals. In fact, recent clinical researches have indicated that alcohol abuse can cause permanent damage to the nerves in the penis thereby leading to impotence. So, as long as you practice moderation, you can protect yourself from such conditions. Relationship problems: Marital or relationship problems like lack of trust and proper communication can act as major hindrance to experiencing enjoyable and satisfying sex. Women, in particular, are closely tuned to their emotional sides at the time of sexual intimacy. Hence, it is vital to solve all issues like infidelity, unsolved conflicts or fight and poor connection to steer your sex life in the right direction. For this, you can even seek professional counseling to sort out any personal indifference between you and your partner.