Table of contents:
- What diseases can cause loss of sexual desire?
- 1. Diabetes
- 2. Heart disease
- 3. Nervous disorders
- 4. Kidney disease
- 5. Mental illness
- That doesn't mean you can't / shouldn't have sex
There are many factors that can interfere with and even cause decreased sexual desire. Generally, this is more influenced by stress, hormonal changes, or a problem in the relationship. However, if sexual desire continues to decline for a long time or even goes away, this may indicate an underlying condition or disease. So, what diseases can cause loss of sexual desire? The following is the review.
What diseases can cause loss of sexual desire?
1. Diabetes
Diabetes can cause damage to the nervous system and blood vessels. Diabetics are also more prone to heart disease. A problem with the heart can cause blood flow to sensitive areas and obstructed sex organs. As a result, it will be more difficult for you to become aroused and even cause your sexual desire to disappear prematurely.
In men, this tissue damage has the potential to cause problems with erectile dysfunction (whether it is difficult to achieve an erection or difficult to maintain) and difficulty orgasm (difficult to ejaculate). Even,1 in 3 menthose affected by diabetes experience erectile dysfunction, aka impotence.
In women, decreased sexual desire is more influenced by difficulty reaching orgasm due to the clitoris being unable to respond to stimulation due to nerve damage. In addition, women who have diabetes are also more prone to recurring recurring infections (vaginal yeast infection) and cystitis (a type of UTI). This can make sexual intercourse very painful, and is exacerbated by itching or burning.
2. Heart disease
A problem with the work of the heart can cause blood flow throughout the body to be obstructed, including to sensitive areas and your intimate organs. In fact, optimal blood flow is necessary for men to achieve and maintain an erection, and for women to be aroused and reach orgasm. That is why heart disease is also closely related to risk factors for erectile dysfunction in men.
What's more, sex can be dangerous for some people who have certain heart diseases. According to a report in the American Journal of Cardiology, you may need to stay away from sex (at least temporarily) if you have any of the following:
- Unstable angina, which means angina (chest pain) that is severe, becomes more frequent over time, or appears at rest.
- Onset of angina (chest pain due to heart problems)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) uncontrolled
- Advanced heart failure (characterized by shortness of breath while resting)
- Heart attack in the last 2 weeks
- Certain arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats, especially in the ventricles of the heart)
- Cardiomyopathy (weak heart muscle)
All of these conditions are feared to increase your risk of having a heart attack during sex which can be fatal. Indirectly, the frequency of sex that decreases over time can cause sexual desire to be lost.
In addition, some of the heart disease drugs that you use have the side effect of reducing sexual desire.
3. Nervous disorders
Nerve damage, for example from neuropathy, can cause sexual desire to be lost. Nervous disorders do not directly affect the production of libido sex hormones, but they can inhibit the body's reaction to responding to sexual stimulation.
Passion and orgasm are controlled by the nerves in the sex organs (penis, vagina, and clitoris) and other sensitive parts of the body. These nerves receive sexual stimulation and send stimulation signals to the brain.
From there, the brain will respond by flowing blood to your sex organs. When aroused enough, the penis will erect and then ejaculate. A woman's clitoris can also be aroused and erect. Well, any disturbance to the nerves of the body can inhibit or disrupt the stimulation process. As a result, you can not be aroused, have an erection, or even find it difficult to orgasm.
Nerve damage that causes loss of sexual desire is usually experienced by people with diseases such as diabetes, stroke and multiple sclerosis. People who have had pelvic surgery or have had spinal cord injuries are also prone to nerve damage, which can cause difficulty orgasms.
4. Kidney disease
Chronic kidney failure and dialysis therapy that you take during treatment can affect your sex drive. This is because all the energy the body has will be concentrated on the disease so that it makes you tired and not eager to move, even to have sex with a partner.
Chemical changes that occur in the body due to the side effects of treatment also affect hormones, blood circulation and nerve function. Interference in one or all three can cause a decrease in sexual desire.
5. Mental illness
Mental illness can adversely affect a sufferer's mood, feelings, stamina, appetite, sleep patterns and concentration levels. No exception is sexual desire. Mental illness can also cause a loss of interest and indulgence in things that were previously loved, including sex.
This is not only limited to people who are depressed, but also other mental disorders such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and even OCD and PTSD. Some drugs related to mental disorders, such as antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac), can also reduce sex drive.
Apart from self-diagnosis, mental illness can also appear along with various chronic physical illnesses as a complication. The reason is, receiving a diagnosis of chronic disease can make your emotions unstable. You feel worry, fear, anxiety, and stress. These emotional changes do not rule out your sexual arousal.
For example, among heart disease patients, decreased sex drive often stems from depression. Depression can affect 1 in 3 patients who recover from a heart attack. This condition often decreases sex drive, and in men, it can cause erectile dysfunction.
That doesn't mean you can't / shouldn't have sex
Even though illnesses can cause a loss of sex drive, that doesn't mean you have to give up on the situation.
Don't be shy about discussing this with your doctor. Talk about whether your medication has had an impact on your sex life or not. If you feel you need help from a psychologist or sexologist to discuss this, do so immediately. There's no reason you can't or shouldn't enjoy closeness and intimacy all your life.
With your doctor's permission, you may be able to resume your sex life completely. However, you also need to be more careful, for example, using positions that are not too burdensome, or scheduling sex at the right time.
x