How Does Stress Affect Sex?
QUESTION: Can my stress levels affect my libido? Because it has been REAL low.
Sex and stress
When you’re under a lot of pressure, your body begins to ooze cortisol, the body’s stress hormone.When cortisol levels go up, libido goes down. High cortisol can even hinder your ability to experience orgasm. You may also experience trouble lubricating, getting aroused mentally, and a feeling of sluggishness and general lack of sexy feelings.
How to know if stress is f*cking up your sex life (and life in general)
Basically ask yourself how you're feeling about sex and your stress levels. You’re tired, anxious, and the only thing that sounds appealing is lying on the couch while scarfing mac’n’cheese - stress is affecting your sex life and your life and in general. Sex is not on the brain. The stress of life and work is not getting you in the mood by any stretch of the imagination.
Of all the natural libido killers out there, arguably none is more sinister than stress. It is a hidden demon, one that lurks over us, seemingly unable to be controlled. We have busy lives, deadlines, partners, families, and a million other things to worry about. Sex just doesn’t feel appetizing right now.
Advice on how you can solve the stress problem
The best advice I can give is to try and have an orgasm every single day. You know the saying "An apple a day keeps the doctor away?" if you exchange "apple" with "orgasm," it's actually true. When you have orgasms, your body releases feel good chemicals like dopamine. Cortisol naturally declines.
If you make some life changes around your stress levels (aka: reduce the things that are bringing you stress, duh!), you will likely start to feel sexier. Life changes plus orgasms is the key. If this doesn't help, seek out the help of a professional, qualified sex coach, sexologist, or sex therapist. There is no harm in getting some outside help from someone who is trained to help you!