The libido is a spectrum and what’s normal for one person is not necessarily the same as another. But if your sexual desires are out of control and impact your life, work, or relationships, a therapist may be able to help.
Some medical factors that can affect libido include hormonal changes, medications, and mental health issues. Let’s take a look at what causes high sex drive in females.
1. Hormones
The way you feel about sex, or libido, fluctuates with hormone levels throughout your life. For cisgender women, your libido is likely to be highest during your late teens and during certain points of your menstrual cycle, when estrogen and testosterone are elevated.
Physical activity can also make you hornier, as it releases feel-good hormones that boost energy levels. Eating a balanced diet and getting enough rest can help keep your sex drive at a normal level.
However, if your desire for sex is overwhelming, you may have an uncontrollable obsession with sexual thoughts and behaviors. In this case, you may have a medical condition called hypersexuality (also known as compulsive sexual behavior disorder or CSBD). You should consult your doctor to learn what is causing this problem and discuss your options for treatment. These include consuming anaphrodisiac foods, like soy, hops, and licorice, and taking medications that can lower your libido, such as antidepressants. If your doctor determines that a mental health issue is the culprit, he or she can help you find a therapist to talk about your feelings and come up with a plan to manage them.
2. Stress
Women who experience high sexual desires are often misjudged and stigmatized. Some people think women with a high sex drive are promiscuous or “slutty.” The truth is that every woman has her own normal sex drive. It’s important to manage sexual urges in a healthy way. Seeking sex therapy with an expert who understands sexual compulsion and addiction is a good option.
There are many factors that can affect a woman’s libido, including hormonal changes, medications and lifestyle habits. For example, drinking too much alcohol can decrease a woman’s libido, as can some prescription drugs and certain types of street drugs. Women who exercise regularly are more likely to have a higher libido because they burn calories and build muscle, which increases estrogen levels.
A woman’s libido may change over time, but it’s not necessarily cause for concern unless it interferes with other aspects of her life. If your sex drive is uncontrollable, it’s important to seek help from a sex therapist who can teach you strategies to reduce your sex drive and improve the quality of your relationship.
3. Exercise
While high sex drive can be a positive thing, it can also lead to risky behaviors. “If you’re skipping work, cheating on your partner, blowing your savings on sex gadgets or engaging in other sexual impulse-driven behavior, then that is not normal and you should seek professional help,” Garrison says. Fortunately, there are ways to boost your sex drive and make it more controllable. For starters, regular exercise and a healthy diet can improve your mood and increase desire. Getting enough sleep and exploring new, non-sexual pleasures can also increase your libido.
As for hormones, they can have a big impact on libido, especially during puberty and menopause. But, as Robinson and Bosch point out, hormones don’t always dictate libido levels. Instead, they can be influenced by other factors like age or life changes (like a new relationship or the end of one). It’s also important to discuss any issues you may be having with your doctor, OB-GYN or urologist. They can provide helpful information and suggest other treatments to increase or decrease libido and arousal.
4. Emotions
The desire to have sex, or libido, is a normal part of being human and necessary for reproduction. However, this isn’t always a good thing as it can lead to a number of issues if not managed correctly. It’s important to find ways to control your sexual urges and seek help if you feel like they are out of your control.
Stress, a poor diet and medication can all impact your libido. It’s important to talk to your doctor if you notice an unexplained change in your feelings, as they can adjust your dosages or medications accordingly.
Unresolved shame, distorted beliefs around love and sexuality and social comparison can also impact your libido. Try focusing your energy on other activities, such as exercise, long-distance running, painting, playing the guitar or cooking that provides you with pleasure and pride instead of turning to sex to relieve these emotions. This can help to manage your sex drive and improve relationships in the process. You can also seek advice from a professional sex therapist or psychologist. They can teach you healthy coping mechanisms and how to communicate more openly with your partner about these topics.
5. Genetics
While there is some debate over whether libido is entirely genetic, the basic neurophysiology of sexual response is certainly influenced by genes. Specifically, levels of androgen hormones, such as testosterone, increase before and during ovulation, which can cause arousal and sexual desire. Men have around 40 times as much testosterone as women, which is one reason why males are more likely to be sexually aggressive.
Hormonal imbalances can also affect libido, especially when they are due to medications or medical conditions. For example, if you are on hormonal birth control or antidepressants your libido can fluctuate, as these medications change the amount of SHBG that binds to testosterone and decreases arousal.
Finally, your sex drive can also be affected by age, as hormone levels decline with age. However, some women may experience a surge in libido during menopause, or if they are taking estrogen for menopausal symptoms, as this can increase sex drive. This is known as hypersexuality, which can be problematic if it leads to risky sexual behavior, or excessive masturbation. Fortunately, it can be treated with psychotherapy or medication.
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