Hey Dr Sue — Why Does My Libido Fluctuate So Much?

Your libido is never going to be consistent. There are just so many things that can impact it.

If you’re not familiar with the term libido, it’s another term for sex drive. And I’m going to use the terms interchangeably. I’ll also be talking about sexual performance, because performance can have an impact on sex drive.

Let’s start with the physical things that can impact your libido.

If you’re experiencing pain or dealing with a chronic medical condition, that can impact your sex drive. But so can just being tired and not getting enough sleep. Whether or not you’re exercising can impact your libido. So can the foods that you’re eating.

And it’s not just food. Whether or not you’re hydrated can impact your sexual performance (you can read more about this here). If you’re drinking alcohol that can impact your sex drive. I know that people say they get hornier when they drink, but alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. This can lead to decreased testosterone levels, and testosterone can have an impact on your sex drive. Excessive alcohol use can lead to decreased vaginal lubrication and problems getting an erection.

If you’re using nicotine that can negatively impact your sex drive. Marijuana can also have an impact. The research on this is sometimes…