Lowered libido

Serotonin

Serotonin plays a major role in libido. While balanced serotonin supports mood and emotional connection, too much or too little serotonin can lower libido.

How Does Serotonin Affect Libido?

• Serotonin has a “braking” effect on sexual desire.

• Low serotonin = More sexual desire but also higher stress, anxiety, and mood instability.

• High serotonin = Less sexual desire due to reduced dopamine & arousal.

If your serotonin is too high or too low, it can cause problems with your libido, mood, and energy levels.

Why Does Low Libido Happen? (Serotonin & Other Factors)

• Low Serotonin = Low Mood, Anxiety, & Stress (Affects Libido)

• If serotonin is too low, stress & anxiety levels rise, reducing libido.

• You feel emotionally disconnected, exhausted, or overwhelmed.

Agonism (activation) of 5-HT1A leads to reduced fear respo

High Serotonin = Decreased Sexual Desire

• Too much serotonin (due to certain medications or gut issues) suppresses dopamine.

• Dopamine is needed for arousal, so high serotonin = low libido.

PCOS, High Prolactin, & Libido Issues

• High prolactin reduces dopamine, lowering sex drive.

• Insulin resistance in PCOS affects testosterone, reducing arousal & energy.

IBS-D & Serotonin Imbalance

• Since 95% of serotonin is in the gut, IBS-D may cause serotonin fluctuations.

• High serotonin = Diarrhea, low libido, mood swings.

• Low serotonin = Anxiety, stress, & reduced sexual interest.

Sleep Deprivation & Stress

• Poor sleep reduces serotonin & dopamine, leading to fatigue & low sex drive.

• Chronic stress increases cortisol, which suppresses libido.

Noradrenaline

low libido (decreased sexual desire) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine) is quite fascinating and involves a mix of neurochemistry, stress physiology, and hormonal interplay. Here's a full breakdown of how noradrenaline influences sexual desire — and how imbalances can lead to reduced libido.

Noradrenaline & Libido: The Brain-Body Bridge

Noradrenaline’s Role in Sexual Arousal

Noradrenaline is part of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), and it's crucial during the early stages of arousal:

• Noradrenaline is part of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), and it's crucial during the early stages of arousal:

• Boosts blood flow to sexual organs

• Raises heart rate, breathing, and sexual excitement

Healthy NE levels = emotional engagement, sexual readiness, and desire

Chronic Stress & Burnout

Constant stress overstimulates NE initially but over time leads to "sympathetic fatigue" → low NE output.

Result

• Emotional detachment

• Fatigue and apathy

• Decreased sexual drive

Burned-out nervous system = low noradrenaline = “I just don’t feel like it”

Low Noradrenaline & Mental Fatigue

• NE is crucial for focus, motivation, and drive — including sexual drive.

• Low NE = low dopamine = low initiative for intimacy.

Antidepressants & Medications

• • Some drugs (SSRIs, beta-blockers, etc.) lower noradrenaline activity → lower sexual desire.

• • SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) can sometimes improve libido in people with low NE.

Hormonal Interplay

• Noradrenaline affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis:

Hormone	NE’s Influence	Effect on Libido
Testosterone	NE helps trigger GnRH → ↑ LH → ↑ T	Needed for sexual desire (in all sexes)
Prolactin	High prolactin suppresses NE	Low NE + high prolactin = low libido
Oxytocin	NE boosts oxytocin during arousal	NE boosts oxytocin during arousal

Balanced NE = better sex hormone signaling and emotional connection

A drop in libido isn’t just about relationships—it’s often a biochemical signal that your body and hormones are out of sync. Your desire, arousal, and emotional connection are all influenced by a delicate interplay of hormones and neurotransmitters.

Adrenaline

Adrenaline is your fight-or-flight hormone, activated during stress or high-alert situations. When it’s chronically elevated, the body diverts energy away from reproduction and intimacy, prioritizing survival. This often leads to a suppressed libido, as the nervous system stays in “protection mode” rather than relaxation and connection.

GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid)

GABA is your brain’s natural calming agent. It plays a role in allowing you to feel emotionally connected, relaxed, and receptive. When GABA is low, anxiety and nervous tension increase—both of which can suppress sexual interest and emotional intimacy.

DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)

DHEA is directly linked to sexual desire, vitality, and hormone production—including testosterone and estrogen. Low levels of DHEA are associated with low sexual drive, reduced arousal, and decreased pleasure response. It also affects mood and energy, which further influence libido.

Cortisol

Cortisol, the long-term stress hormone, is a major libido killer when out of balance. High cortisol suppresses sex hormone production and dampens sexual desire. On the other hand, extremely low cortisol (seen in adrenal burnout) can lead to fatigue and lack of physical or emotional energy for intimacy.

Glutamate

Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.

In both men and women, glutamate plays a role in triggering sexual arousal and behaviour, especially via the hypothalamus and limbic system (emotion/sex centres).

It activates nitric oxide (NO) production in the hypothalamus → which helps increase blood flow and genital response.

Low Libido & Glutamate Dysregulation

Glutamate Imbalance → Brain Fatigue & Apathy

If glutamate is chronically elevated (as seen in inflammation, stress, or insulin resistance), it can:

• Lead to neuronal fatigue

• Desensitize glutamate receptors

• Contribute to low motivation and anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), including in sex

Low Glutamate or Impaired Conversion to GABA

If glutamate isn’t properly converted to GABA (your calming neurotransmitter), it can cause:

• Anxiety, tension, or mental overstimulation, which suppresses libido

• A state of neurochemical imbalance that makes intimacy feel mentally exhausting or unappealing