Treatments for Low Libido in Women

Your libido (sex drive) is your interest in sex. There’s no “right” or “wrong” amount of interest you should have. Some people are interested in having a lot of sex, while others aren’t. It’s all about what feels natural and authentic to you in your sex life. 

Your libido can also change over time, and that’s OK too. But what if you’ve noticed a dip in your sex drive, and it’s bothering you? If that’s the case, take heart: Treatment can help. 

Let’s take a look at what causes low libido, as well as what you can do about it. 

Why is my sex drive low?

Low libido in women can have many different causes. And, in reality, they’re often intertwined. Causes of low sex drive can include:

• Mental and physical health problems

• Medications

• Hormone changes

• Lifestyle choices

• Life experiences

• Relationship problems

What’s the best treatment for low libido in women?

It's hard to say. After all, your sex drive is complex. There’s no single treatment that fits everyone. Nor does everyone with a low libido need or want treatment. 

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But if you're bothered by a low libido, there are many things that can help. Here are some of the best options. 

1. Look for an underlying cause

A lot of times, the best treatment for low libido starts with finding the underlying cause — and making changes if you can. For example, this could mean: 

• Stopping a prescription medication that’s causing low libido

• Treating a mental health problem that’s affecting libido, such as depression or anxiety

• Addressing ongoing stress at work, home, or in your relationships

2. Try therapy

Therapy can also help with low libido, either on your own or with a partner. And many types of therapy can also help with mental health problems that can affect your sex life, too, like depression and anxiety. 

Options for treating low libido include:

• Individual psychotherapy

• Couples therapy

• Sex therapy

3. Make lifestyle and relationship changes

Lifestyle and relationship changes can also go a long way toward helping to increase your libido. This is especially true of changes that help you to feel more rested, less stressed, and more focused on your sexuality. 

Here are some evidence-based ideas to consider: 

• Eat nutritious foods, like those featured in the Mediterranean diet.

• Try to reduce stress by exercising or practicing mindfulness or yoga.

• Set aside time for intimacy with your partner. Think of creative ways to add variety to your relationship, like planning regular date nights, taking a trip together, or exploring a new hobby together.

• Read books about sex, either for educational reasons or for erotic enjoyment.

• Visit a “sex store” that sells items designed to increase interest in sex.

• Try vaginal lubricants or moisturizers if you have vaginal dryness or painful sex. Moisturizers provide extra moisture to the vaginal lining. And lubricants reduce friction during sex. 

• Create a space in your home that feels safe and private, where you can engage in sexual activities.

Medications

When it comes to treating low libido in women, medications are not a first-choice option. That means that the approaches listed above are more likely to help. But if low libido is still a problem, some women may benefit from trying prescription medications too.

Medications that may help can be grouped into hormonal and non-hormonal treatments. 

Hormonal medications

Some examples of hormonal medications are discussed below. These may be an option in people with low estrogen levels — either as a result of menopause or other conditions or medications. 

Estrogen

There’s a lot of evidence that menopausal hormonal therapy doesn’t improve sexual satisfaction in postmenopausal women. However, some experts may recommend trying it if you suddenly develop severe sexual dysfunction along with other symptoms of menopause. 

Vaginal estrogen

Sexual dysfunction can be caused by low estrogen levels and vaginal dryness.

In these instances, low-dose vaginal еstrοgеո can be helpful. This includes: 

• Estrogen creams (Premarin and Estrace)

• Vaginal estrogen inserts (Imvexxy, Yuvafem, and Vagifem)

• Estrogen rings (Estring and Femring)

Estrogen-like medications

Estrogen-like alternatives are another option to treat vaginal dryness associated with menopause: 

• Intrarosa (Prasterone) is a vaginal insert that contains dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a natural hormone that helps produce estrogen. 

• Osphena (ospemifene) are pills that can improve vaginal dryness and painful sex in menopausal women. 

Transdermal testosterone

If the other treatments listed above don’t work, a low-dose of testosterone applied to the skin may help improve libido. This can be applied as a patch, gel, cream, or spray. 

However, there are side effects to be aware of, such as:

• Acne

• A deeper voice

• Hair loss on your head

• Abnormal growth in other places

• Abnormal cholesterol levels

Using testosterone in this way isn’t approved by the FDA. In other words, it’s an off-label use. 

Nonhormonal medications

Nonhormonal medications for low libido act on brain pathways, similar to medications like antidepressants. 

Bupropion (Wellbutrin)

Bupropion is an atypical antidepressant that’s FDA approved to treat depression. It’s also the active ingredient in Zyban, which is used to quit smoking. And it’s used off-label for sexual dysfunction in women. This includes people who have low libido related to having depression and taking SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressants. 

When taken for sexual dysfunction, research shows that bupropion significantly improves:

• Sexual arousal

• Orgasm completion

• Sexual satisfaction 

Bupropion has a long history of being used safely and effectively as an antidepressant and for smoking addiction. The risks and side effects are clear as well, including:

• Increased anxiety

• Insomnia

• High blood pressure (hypertension)

Another benefit is that it’s easy to access as a generic medication.

Addyi (flibanserin)

Addyi is FDA approved for low-libido in premenopausal women. It’s a medication that acts on the brain in a similar way to bupropion. 

Daily use can offer small increases in your sexual desire and how often you have sexually satisfying events. But the side effects are significant and include: 

• Dizziness

• Sleepiness

• Nausea

• Severe drops in blood pressure. 

There are risks to combining this medication with alcohol and a long list of medications. 

Vyleesi (bremelanotide) 

Vyleesi is also FDA approved for low-libido in premenopausal women. 

Unlike Addyi, you take this medication as an injection under the skin. Also, you only take it when you think you’re going to need it. 

It’s recommended that you take it 45 minutes before you anticipate having sex. This may be an advantage over Addyi. Using this medication when needed lowers the risk of side effects (mainly, nausea and vomiting). It also means you don’t have to take medication daily. 

Taking Vyleesi can increase sexual desire and self-reported sexual satisfaction. But in past studies, it didn’t increase the number or frequency of satisfying sexual encounters. 

Possible side effects and risks to be aware of include sudden increases in blood pressure. Also, this medication can’t be used by people with heart and blood vessel disease. 

Treating pain during sex

Experiencing pain with sex (dyspareunia) can have a major effect on your libido. It’s a common condition, too, affecting as many as 1 in 5 women in the U.S. 

There are many additional treatments that can help with sexual pain — and, in turn, help with your libido. 

Depending on what’s causing pain during sex, treatment options may include: 

• Pelvic floor physical therapy

• Vaginal estrogen

• Oral medication, like ospemifene 

• A topical numbing medication

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Sex therapy

Some sexual wellness devices can help with pain during sex, too, like vaginal dilators and penetration bumpers. 

What are the best supplements for libido?

There are many natural supplements that claim to help boost your libido. But the truth is: Most aren’t backed by science. Supplements with the most evidence to support them include:

• L-arginine

• Chasteberry

• Ginseng

• Maca

• Red clover

• DHEA

Certain supplements, like ginseng and maca, may be especially helpful for women in menopause. 

And keep in mind: Always talk to your primary care provider or other healthcare professional first before starting a supplement. Even though these products are advertised as “natural,” they can still have risks. 

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Written by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

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