среда, 5 декабря 2012 г.

Not Just a Male Problem: A Look at Decreasing Female Libido


Not Just a Male Problem: A Look at Decreasing Female Libido

It's no secret that millions of men face problems with a declining sex drive as they reach middle age. A whole cottage industry has sprung up in recent years devoted to this very issue, with an abundance of products appearing on the market seeking to help men deal with this problem. With so much attention focused on men's issues in the bedroom, the fairer sex's struggles with physical intimacy have been largely overshadowed. It's a much bigger problem than one might expect - one study found that a staggering one-third of all women aged 18 to 59 admitted to experiencing significant decline in sex drive.
So what's behind this often underreported phenomenon? There really isn't one identifiable culprit at fault; rather, this problem often stems from a number of issues, all of which can diminish a woman's libido. Below are some reasons that may explain why your girlfriend or wife seems to lack enthusiasm for sex.
Within The Mind - Both men and women alike are familiar with the problems of stress, anxiety and confidence. This triad of issues can not only wreak havoc with a man's sex drive, but can also have debilitating effects on the sex lives of women. For example, a woman may shy away from sex if she is insecure about her body image.
Physical Decline - In many ways, our bodies are very similar to automobiles. If taken proper care of, they will usually fire on all cylinders. If neglected, they will slowly begin to deteriorate, to the point where their performance suffers noticeably. A lack of physical exercise is associated with many physical maladies, not the least including a reduced sex drive. For women, regular exercise has the bonus effect of keeping the brain's hormone changes in check, thereby preventing such consequences as PMS flare-ups.
Garbage In, Garbage Out - In addition to physical stimulation, the human body needs a healthy diet to function at optimal capacity. Women who subsist on a diet of, say, soda and potato chips are much more likely to experience painful periods than those with proper dietary habits. The fallout isn't just physical - consuming junk food has also been linked to lower levels of personal happiness in both sexes.
A Toxic Waltz - It's not a pleasant subject to dwell on, but everyday countless numbers of toxins pass through our bodies. For those who slept through biology class, toxins are substances foreign to the body that can cause serious diseases. Fortunately, our bodies are well-equipped to expunge most of these microscopic foes, as our digestive system routinely purges toxins from the body.
The problem is that many people take their health for granted, and fail to exercise, eat right and avoid bad habits such as smoking. As a result of these years of abuse, the body becomes less adept at cleansing itself, allowing for toxins to roam freely through their host. Not only does this cause unpleasant physical side effects, such as whitehead zits and body odor, but your attitude can easily sour as well.
Medicinal Side-effects - Millions of women routinely use powerful medicinal drugs for various purposes, such as antidepressants and blood pressure medications. It's hard to understate how widespread these medications are in the United States; it is estimated that 1 in 4 American women regularly take antidepressants. Likewise, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 33 percent of all US women have high blood pressure.
Both antidepressants and blood pressure medications exist for a reason - if used appropriately, they can help treat serious medical problems. However, as with many medications, these products often lead to the appearance of undesirable side effects. One such unintended consequence is a diminished sex drive in both genders.
Pre-Menstrual Tension - While the female sex drive can be stunted because of external factors, women can lose their desire for sex simply due to the routine functions of the human body. Pre-menstrual tension, commonly referred to as PMT, is foe that members of the fairer sex know all too well; it is estimated that three fourths of women experience PMT. PMT is also known as Pre-menstrual syndrome, or PMS.
The symptoms of PMT/PMS can set in up to two weeks before a woman's period. Once this process is set in motion, the body experiences a veritable barrage of symptoms, including swollen/tender breasts, upset stomach, joint pain, anxiety, depression and disrupted sleeping patterns. With all this mental and physical turmoil, it's perfectly understandable why women experiencing PMS would not want to have sex.
The Downside of Birth-Control - The advent of the birth control bill was a watershed moment in medical history. "The Pill," as this new form of contraceptive came to be known, allowed couples to experience a much greater degree of sexual freedom without the fear of unintended pregnancies. Unfortunately, no medicinal drug is free of side effects. Birth control tablets significantly alter the body's levels of hormones, frequently resulting in a lackluster libido.
Michael Harris is a contributor to Natural Knowledge 24/7, a monthly newsletter focusing on health and wellness issues. This article, along with many others covering a wide range of subjects, can be found at http://naturalknowledge247.com/

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