Why She Isn't in the Mood

When a man has trouble getting it up, these days he simply heads for the Viagra store. However, for a woman (and probably not for men either) it isn't that simple. Inability to have an orgasm, become aroused or even be interested in sex could be symptomatic of a deeper problem. The good news is, most problems have solutions.

Age. As women age, their bodies prepare to leave behind the childbearing years by slowing down production of the hormones that gear us up to have sex in the first place. Though these hormones are physical chemicals in the body, they can have a profound affect on a woman's mental processes. If you suspect your body has slowed production of hormones (if you suspect you are entering the menopause or the "change of life") talk to your doctor about hormone therapy.

Stress. It isn't just a mental thing or a physical thing. Like menopause, stress is something that will work on your entire being. It may start with a thought when someone does something you don't like, but it soon makes its way into your body in the form of headaches or achy shoulders. Or maybe it starts out as tight back muscles from sitting in the wrong kind of chair. Next thing you know, you're having stressful thoughts because your back hurts. It's a chicken or the egg proposition. If stress is ruining your sex drive, make a concerted effort to relax with your favorite erotic images or ask your significant other to give you erotic massages. Regular erotic massages. After all, getting rid of stress can take time.

Being overweight. If you don't feel good about your body, you may not be all that enthusiastic about sharing it with another person. There is at least a little exhibitionist in everyone. That means part of what turns us on is knowing that other people want to look at us, that they find us attractive. If that critical rev-up mechanism is damaged, our sexual engine may need an overhaul. Losing even a little bit of weight, just enough so that you notice, can give you an immediate increase in sexual interest. And where the mind goes, the body soon follows.

Conditions of the body. Even diabetes can contribute to a lack of libido. According to a recent article in Diabetic Living magazine, elevated glucose levels over a long period of time can damage nerve endings that are critical to sexual pleasure. However, this can be dealt with, so talk to your doctor if you think diabetes or any other condition could be contributing to your lack of sexual interest.