About sex drive

Sex drive encompasses the desire to have sexual intercourse as well as the different aspects of sexual arousal. It is a natural urge that is experienced by every species. Science classifies sex drive as an instinct that drives organisms to reproduce. Unlike many organisms, however, sexual desire in humans represents much more than just the need to procreate.

Significance

1. Sexuality is a central part of the human experience. It serves as an expression of our need to be close to and connect with another individual. It helps to strengthen the bonds in a relationship by allowing couples to connect with one another both physically and emotionally. Doctors and psychologists agree that a healthy sex drive is vital to an individual's happiness, health and well-being, and that it acts as an effective natural stress reliever.

Male Sex Drive

2. While both genders enjoy sex, there are emotional and physical differences in the ways in which men and women experience and enjoy it. Men typically have very straightforward and linear sexual experiences. They are stereotyped as having much higher sex drives than women. Although men enjoy the emotional aspects of sex as well, the physical aspect is often the largest motivator for them. Research studies report that men are generally more satisfied with their sex lives than women.

Female Sex Drive

3. While women also enjoy the physical aspects of sex, emotion plays a much larger role for them. The female sex drive is motivated by the need for emotional connections as much, if not more, than for physical enjoyment alone. For this reason, a woman's feelings about her partner can often affect her level of desire. The female sex drive is also different from a man's in that women usually take longer to become aroused.

Complications

4. When one partner has a low sex drive, it can be damaging for both partners in the relationship. Researchers have identified several factors that can lead to a low sex drive. Stress, health problems, aging, lack of sleep and some medications can interfere with the sex drives of both men and women. Low testosterone levels and erectile dysfunction are both common causes of low sex drive in men. Exhaustion and relationship problems may decrease the sex drives of some women.

Prevention/Solution

5. There is no precise definition to define a "normal" sex drive. What is normal depends upon what is normal for each individual. However, couples who experience relationship problems due to conflicting sex drives have many options. The most important thing that couples can do is to listen to each other's needs and feelings without criticizing. If a rocky relationship is the cause, couples can make an effort to spend some quality time together to help strengthen their bond.