When Should You See a Doctor About Your Sex Drive?
A clear, reassuring UK guide to when you should see a doctor about your sex drive, the signs worth checking, what to expect and how to prepare.
Knowing when a change in sex drive is worth a doctor's attention takes the worry out of it. This reassuring guide explains the signs worth checking, what to expect from an appointment and how to prepare, so you can seek help with confidence.
When Should You See a Doctor About Your Sex Drive?
Most changes in sex drive are normal and settle on their own but there are times when it is worth seeing a doctor. It is a good idea to seek advice if a change in your libido is persistent and distressing, comes on suddenly and out of character, is a clear change from your normal or is accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, low mood, pain or erection problems. You should also see a doctor if you suspect a health condition or medication is involved, if sex is painful or if sexual thoughts or urges feel out of control. Seeking help is sensible and common and many causes of changed desire are treatable.
This guide explains when to see a doctor about your sex drive, what to expect and how to prepare. This guide is general information and not medical advice, so please speak to a doctor or pharmacist about any personal concern. For the possible causes, see our guide on What Causes a Low Sex Drive.
When It Is Worth Seeing a Doctor
The signs below are good reasons to seek advice. The table sets them out.
| Sign | Why it is worth checking |
|---|---|
| Persistent, distressing change | May have a treatable cause |
| Sudden, out-of-character change | Worth ruling out a health cause |
| Other symptoms too | Fatigue, low mood, pain or erection issues |
| Painful sex | Often treatable and not to be endured |
| Urges feel out of control | Support is available and effective |
A short-term dip with an obvious cause, such as stress, usually does not need a visit. Our guide on What Is a Normal Sex Drive explains normal variation.
What to Expect
Seeing a doctor about your sex drive is nothing to feel awkward about, as it is a common and valid health matter that they deal with regularly and confidentially. The doctor will usually ask about your general health, mood, relationships, medications and lifestyle to build a picture and may examine you or arrange blood tests, for example to check hormones or thyroid function, if appropriate. Depending on what they find, they might treat an underlying cause, review a medication, offer advice or refer you for further support such as psychosexual or relationship therapy. The aim is to understand what is happening and help you. Our guide on Medical Conditions and Sex Drive covers health causes they may consider.
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Shop Ava NoirHow to Prepare
A little preparation makes the conversation easier and more useful. Before your appointment, it can help to note when the change in your desire began, whether anything else changed around the same time, any other symptoms you have noticed and a list of any medicines or supplements you take. Being honest and specific helps the doctor help you and there is no need to feel embarrassed, since they have heard it all before. If you find it hard to raise, you can simply say you have noticed a change in your sex drive that is bothering you. Writing down your questions beforehand is useful too. Our guide on How to Get Your Sex Drive Back covers steps you can take alongside medical advice.
Knowing when to seek help takes the worry out of it. Our Sex Drive and Libido Guides hub gathers every guide in one place, from causes to support.
For specific causes to consider, our guides on Low Sex Drive in Men and Low Sex Drive in Women may help.
Browse the complete Sex Drive and Libido Guides library for clear, supportive guidance on sex drive.
Where to Go for Help
You have several options for getting help with your sex drive and you can choose whichever feels most comfortable. Your GP is a good first port of call and can assess, treat or refer you. Sexual health clinics offer confidential advice and are used to these conversations. For emotional or relationship causes, a psychosexual therapist or relationship counsellor can be very effective and a doctor can point you towards these. A pharmacist can advise on medicines and supplements. Wherever you start, seeking help is a positive step and support for sexual wellbeing is a normal part of healthcare. This guide is general information and not medical advice, so please speak to a doctor or pharmacist about any personal concern. Our guide on What Affects Your Sex Drive explains the many influences a professional may consider.
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The Short Answer
See a doctor about your sex drive if a change is persistent and distressing, sudden and out of character, a clear change from your normal or accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, low mood, pain or erection problems or if urges feel out of control. It is a common, valid health matter and many causes are treatable. Your GP, a sexual health clinic or a therapist can all help.
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