How depression affects your libido?

Many bereaved parents, and people who are depressed in general, claim that they have lost the desire to be intimate with others.
In my last blog post, I talked about how anxiety affects our body, and here, I want to see if depression affect your libido in any way.

Of course, not everyone is the same and won’t experience the same feelings and changes, but let’s see what science and evidence say about depression and sex drive.

It turns out that couple issues people experience in the grieving process include changes in their libido, and not being in the mood to hang out with one another at the same time. 
People claim that their overall energy was down and that they were barely capable of completing the needed daily tasks in the depression phase. 

Many will also feel bad about themselves and their self-esteem will drop. I have talked about that issue as well, and you can find more information about how to improve your self-image after experiencing a traumatic event. 

Besides that, you two may look at one another through something like a negative filter. Those who have been under a lot of pressure and stress will naturally feel a lower sex drive, due to the hormone cortisol. It literally makes your libido vanish. 

Bereaved parents who take antidepressants also say that it kills their passion and sex drive. Yet, your libido will come back once you get rid of antidepressants. It is important to be very gentle and patient not only with yourself but also with your partner. 

The short answer to the question related to depression and your libido is simple. Yes, depression does and can make your libido lower, but it doesn't have to. When our hormones and emotions are not balanced, we will probably forget how to enjoy all those little things in life.

The most important thing is to talk openly with your partner. Be there for one another. If you are not into sex, but wondering how can you two be intimate, spend a romantic evening together, hug one another, kiss each other, and so on. 

Learn how trauma and loss can actually change your relationship for the better - read this article. 

While you are here, discover more about how depression can affect our facial features.