What Causes Decreased Libido? Understanding the Differences Between Low Libido and Asexuality - podcast episode cover

What Causes Decreased Libido? Understanding the Differences Between Low Libido and Asexuality

Dec 21, 202436 min
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Episode description

What causes decreased libido? In this episode, Nicola Beer explores the emotional, mental, and relational roots of low libido, how it differs from asexuality, and offers practical tips to restore intimacy, connection, and understanding in relationships.

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Transcript

Friends. Isn't it fascinating how relationships bring us immense joy but also profound heartache? There are dance of emotions, yet how often do we truly, deeply, consciously invest in the relationship we have with ourselves and loved ones? That investment, that time and that energy is the most powerful gift in you could ever bestow upon yourself and those you love.

As life didn't give us a manual on handling emotions and communication challenges, we also weren't taught the art of building romantic ties or how to deeply love and value ourselves. But I'm here to share more life affirming, relationship enhancing wisdom with you all. And now you can also find this transformational content pouring onto YouTube and Instagram. Dive into the show Notes to connect with all the magic. Here's for growth, love and endless learning. Hi and welcome.

I'm Nicola Beer and today I'm going to be talking about the four main causes of decreased libido and how it differs from asexuality. In a world that often glorifies sexual intimacy and exploration, individuals experiencing decreased libido may feel misunderstood or alienated. Societal expectations of sexual vitality can amplify feelings of inadequacy, shame, and isolation. However, decreased libido is a complex issue rooted in diverse and deeply personal causes.

In this episode, we're going to explore the main causes of decreased libido and the emotional and relational impact that it can have on individuals and couples. We'll also discuss asexuality, what it means, and how it differs from decreased libido. As through my work I've noticed that many people are unclear on this distinction. I won't be discussing sexual trauma or a fear of sex, which I deal with quite a lot, because I'm going to dedicate a whole episode to that coming up.

So do subscribe to the show if you're interested in that, or if you haven't already and you want to make sure that you get all of these relationship topics. And lastly, we'll dive into a few actionable strategies for individuals and couples seeking understanding and healing when it comes to libido so libido, or sexual desire, is a multifaceted component of human experience.

It is influenced by a delicate interplay of biological and psychological and social factors, making it a dynamic aspect of life rather than a fixed trait. While fluctuating levels of libido are normal, prolonged or significant decreases can indicate deeper issues. One of the key areas I often explore with individuals seeking help for low libido is their mental health and overall well being.

Mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety and chronic Stress are among the most common and significant contributors to low libido. These conditions disrupt the delicate interplay between emotional, psychological and physiological factors required for healthy sexual desire. So let's talk about depression and libido. Depression often diminishes interest in activities that once brought joy, including sexual intimacy.

This is not simply a lack of interest, but a result of complex changes in brain chemistry. Depression can reduce levels of dopamine, serotonin and other neurotransmitters involved in feelings of pleasure and reward. Depression can also contribute to feelings of fatigue, heart hopelessness and emotional withdrawal, making sexual activity seem overwhelming or unappealing.

Increasing feelings of low self worth and negative body image are also associated with depression and this can reduce confidence and inhibit the desire for physical intimacy. A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that individuals with depressive symptoms were significantly more likely to report sexual dysfunction, including low libido.

Additionally, many antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, can further suppress sexual desire as a side effect, complicating the relationship between depression and libido. Then there's anxiety and libido. Anxiety, particularly performance anxiety or generalised anxiety, can severely impact libido. When a person is consumed by worries, whether about their relationship, career or personal performance or other external stressors, they can often enter a fight or flight state.

And in this state, the body diverts resources away from non essential functions like sexual arousal. The brain becomes hyper focused on potential threats, reducing the ability to relax and feel connected. Intrusive thoughts or fears about any area of your life can prevent sexual desire from naturally arising.

And as the central nervous system is in this hyper alert state, scanning for safety, trying to survive, it's so exhausting, it can be such a big drain of energy that the person can't even think about being intimate because they're just so tired of all the thoughts. The American Psychological association highlights that anxiety is often linked with avoidance behaviors, including avoiding intimacy.

This avoidance further exacerbates the feelings of isolation, which can negatively impact affects both libido and emotional connection in relationships. And then there's chronic stress and libido. We are today, unfortunately, in a stress epidemic. And chronic stress causes prolonged activation of the body's stress response system, leading to an overall production of cortisol, the stress hormone.

Elevated cortisol levels can lower testosterone, a hormone essential for sexual desire in both men and women. It can interfere with the release of oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and intimacy. It can cause physical fatigue and emotional exhaustion, reducing the capacity for sexual activity in Addition, the psychological toll of chronic stress often leads to irritability, reduced emotional resilience, and difficulty connecting with a partner, further diminishing libido.

A study published by the Psychosomatic Medicine demonstrated that individuals with high levels of perceived stress were more likely to experience sexual dysfunction. The stress also negatively impacted their satisfaction with intimacy, creating a cycle of frustration and disconnection. Because if it's not rewarding, then you're going to avoid it even more. And this is where couples can get stuck.

And often in our current society, with the increase of stress and lack of helpful solutions out there, people can stay stuck. Mental health challenges often bring with them a host of insecurities and unresolved issues that can further suppress sexual desire.

Low self worth is something that I focus on helping individuals overcome in my breakthrough program, as when people don't feel good about themselves, either where they are in life, their personality, or they're carrying guilt, shame, regret, people often withdraw from their partners. It may look like refusing positive compliments, not being able to see themselves in a desirable way, or not being able to think of themselves in a positive light.

This then can lead the person to rejecting advances and shutting themselves down. Isolating negative body image, too, is a major cause of avoiding intimacy. Anxiety about physical appearance can prevent individuals from feeling comfortable or confident in intimate situations. I've had people come to me feeling blocked sexually because they believe that their body is disgusting. They label themselves as being fat, unattractive, too old, too wrinkly, or having too many scars.

They're so critical and judgmental of themselves. And this negative thought pattern needs to be stopped so that they can not only enjoy their relationship life again, but their overall life. Because when these negative thoughts are on repeat, they're consistent. They really drain you, and it's hard for the positivity to come through. Unresolved trauma can also have a massive impact on the frequency of intimacy and the quality of intimacy.

Past experiences, particularly those involving abuse or betrayal, or any other difficult experiences that you've gone through where you've been hurt in relationships, deeply hurt, emotionally, feeling rejected, neglected, and carrying that pain can make physical intimacy a source of fear and discomfort rather than pleasure.

I work with a lot of people who share with me that in their teens, in their 20s, sometimes in their 30s and 40s, they force themselves into sexual experiences because they didn't have the courage to say no. And this kind of pushing your own body to do things that you don't want to do sometimes can later come up and cause a problem in the current relationship.

So that can be really helpful to explore and to free yourself from, because if you force yourself to do something, then it's really not good for you. Emotionally, physically, mentally. We need to listen to our bodies and we need to heal the past so that we can enjoy the present. According to the Journal of Trauma and Disassociation, individuals with unresolved trauma are more likely to experiencing difficulties with sexual arousal and desire.

This often stems from hypervigilance or avoidance behaviours as the body attempts to protect itself from perceived emotional or physical threats. So that's mental health challenges. So the next topic that I just explore when couples come to me or individuals come to me to enhance their sex life is the relationship dynamic. Relationship dynamics play a pivotal role in shaping sexual desire.

Emotional connection, mutual understanding and shared intimacy are integral to a fulfilling sexual relationship. When these dynamics are strained, whether through unresolved conflicts, mix, matched expectations or emotional disconnection, it can lead to a significant decline in libido for one or both partners. Emotional disconnection is often the culprit, which is why the first step in my relationship programs focus on helping couples become closer with actions.

Some people can enjoy sexual intimacy without it, but the majority of people can't. Emotional intimacy serves as a foundation for physical intimacy. When partners feel disconnected emotionally, the desire for physical closeness tends to diminish. Emotional disconnection can arise from a lack of quality time or meaningful communication. Feelings of being unappreciated or unsupported. Lingering resentment from past disagreements or betrayals. Feeling unseen, misunderstood or alone.

Without an emotional connection, physical intimacy may feel mechanical or forced, leading to avoidance of sexual activity altogether. A study published in the Archives of Sexual Behaviour found that emotional closeness is one of the most critical predictors of sexual desire in long term relationships. Couples who reported higher levels of emotional connection were significantly more likely to maintain a healthy sex life over time.

It's really important not to force sexual intimacy because it harms both the individual and the relationship. As I've mentioned, when you go against your own wishes and push your body in a way, you're telling yourself that my needs and my feelings don't matter. I must repress my needs to please others. And when we repress our emotions and needs, it can lead to physical health problems as well as mental health challenges.

It's far better to resolve the relationship issues and express yourself emotionally than than keep everything in. And it's important to create that safe place where you can do that in your relationship. Then there's unresolved conflicts, lingering conflicts, whether major or minor can create tension that permeates all aspects of a relationship. Unresolved arguments or disagreements may lead to feelings of resentment and anger that suppress the desire for intimacy.

Conflicts can also lead to the avoidance of physical closeness as a form of punishment or self protection. And conflicts can increase stress levels which further inhibit sexual desire, as I mentioned about the stress earlier. So without proper communication and conflict resolution, these issues can snowball, making it increasingly difficult to rekindle physical intimacy. Sara, 42, and Raj, 45, have been married for 14 years.

Over the past two years, their relationship had been marked by frequent arguments about finances and parenting styles. These unresolved conflicts created a tense environment at their home, leading to a gradual decline in their sex life. Sara felt unsupported by Raj when it came to managing household and child rearing responsibilities.

Where Raj felt unappreciated for his financial contributions and the lifestyle that he provided, the lack of acknowledgement and the growing resentment between them caused them both to withdraw emotionally. After months of avoiding the topic, Sara suggested couples counseling. Through therapy, they learned to express their frustrations without blame and began to rebuild trust.

As they worked together through their conflicts and focused on making each other feel loved, wanted, and supported, their emotional connection improved and their sexual intimacy began to return. It can't be done by just talking, though, which is why traditional marriage counselling that focus on what's gone wrong and what you're both feeling about the past over and over often doesn't work.

You need to focus on the actions that you can take to let go of the past, the ways to overcome and prevent conflict in the areas that come up regularly. And focus on how you can show each other love and appreciation in the present and the future continually, not just be good for a few weeks and then let things slip back to how they were. Remember that communication does nothing without the action steps that follow it, and those actions need to be consistent.

The Journal of Family Psychology highlights that couples who engage in healthy conflict resolution are more likely to maintain sexual satisfaction in their relationships. On the other hand, couples who avoid or mishandle conflicts are at higher risk of experiencing sexual dysfunction or dissatisfaction. So brushing things under the carpet and avoiding conflict will only create more negativity and a damaging distance between a couple. And yet so many people avoid confrontation.

And I know I used to do it in my relationship, I think, well, I'll choose peace. But in the end it does come back to bite you. So if you can't easily speak up for yourself, then perhaps write down what you're thinking and feeling and then ask to share that or work on with a therapist how to express yourself in a different way or in a more open, safe, transparent way that's going to help the couple.

So the third area when it comes to relationships that I look at is the mismatched expectations around intimacy. Partners often have differing needs and expectations when it comes to intimacy. These mismatches can result in feelings of rejection or inadequacy for one partner, while the other may feel pressured or misunderstood. Common mismatches include discrepancies in libido levels, where one partner desires sex more frequent in the other.

Then there's also differences in the preferred forms of intimacy. Physical affection versus verbal affirmation and appreciation. And then there's misaligned timing, where one partner really wants to have sex at the end of the day so they can sleep better and the other person is not an evening person. They're really tired and it's just the wrong time for them.

Without open, empathetic communication, these mismatches can lead to frustration, misunderstandings, the avoidance of sexual activity altogether. So it's so important to address it. A study in the Journal of Sexual research found that 34% of couples experience mismatched libidos at some point in their relationship. 34%. So it's really common.

And whilst these mismatches are common, couples who openly discuss their desires and find compromises are significantly more likely to maintain their satisfaction in their sex life and and then in their overall relationship life. And then lastly, let's talk about relational strain. When relational strain goes unaddressed, it often leads to avoidance behaviors. Partners may withdraw emotionally, physically or both as a way of coping with unresolved tensions.

This cycle of avoidance can deepen feelings of disconnection and loneliness, erode the trust and security in the relationship, make the prospect of physical intimacy feel daunting or undesirable. Michael and Laura had been together for eight years. Over time, Michael began to feel rejected and irritated when Laura turned down his advances, while Laura felt overwhelmed by the demands of parenting and her career and couldn't take much more on.

Rather than discussing their feelings, Michael withdrew emotionally, coming distant and less communicative. Laura, sensing his withdrawal, began to feel guilty, but also frustrated that he didn't understand how tired and drained she was. This cycle continued until it got to a point where Laura questioned if they should stay together and asked Michael to move out for a few weeks to give her some space. Before they took that step, they came to me for help, both individually and together.

I helped them to address the underlying issues and conflict over intimacy. I helped Michael to manage the anxiety he had over Laura not wanting sex because he had panicked believing that she wasn't interested in him, that she was going to leave him, and they even got him questioning whether she was cheating because the more Laura set her boundaries, the more panicked and needy he had become, which was making Laura distance herself even more.

They agreed for the next two to three months to focus on ways to reconnect emotionally, taking sex off the table for the moment. We focused on regular emotional check ins every single day where they'd share about their day, how they felt, what happened, and also what they needed from each other. They also prioritised quality time away from the children with an aim just to enjoy and have fun.

They agreed not to talk about anything heavy, not to talk about the chores or things that had to be done so they could experience feeling relaxed in each other's company. These steps eventually led to the rekindling of physical intimacy. The relationship between emotional and physical intimacy is reciprocal. Emotional closeness fosters sexual desire. Sexual intimacy reinforces emotional bonds. Some people need affection to give sex and others need sex to give affection.

If this is happening in your relationship, then start both giving at the same time. When either the emotional or physical aspect is neglected, the other often suffers. Addressing emotional disconnection or strain in a relationship is the key to restoring a healthy libido for both partners.

By fostering open communication, addressing underlying issues, and seeking professional support when needed, couples can rebuild both emotional and physical intimacy, strengthening their relationship in the process. If your relationship and your mental health is in a good place, then still your libido can decline due to hormonal changes and other lifestyle factors. So let's explore them now.

I'm sure you already know that hormones are chemical messengers that regulate numerous bodily functions, including sexual desire. Fluctuations or imbalances in hormone levels can significantly affect libido, and understanding this connection is vital for addressing low sexual desire if the other things are good in your life. Testosterone plays a crucial role in driving libido for all genders. Low levels can result in reduced sexual desire, fatigue, and even mood changes.

Testosterone naturally decreases with age, particularly in men over 30 and women during menopause or or postpartum. In women, estrogen levels fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy and menopause. Low estrogen common during menopause can lead to vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex, reducing, of course, desire. Because if it's painful and it's non enjoyable, then you're not going to want to keep repeating it.

And then also high levels of progesterone can also suppress libido and so can some contraceptives that women take. And as I mentioned earlier, chronic stress elevates cortisol levels which suppresses other hormones like testosterone and estrogen, reducing the sexual drive. So it can be a really good idea to go and get your hormone levels checked and then you can decide with your doctor or specialist whether you want to take any supplements to help you increase that.

And then there's chronic health conditions. Certain health conditions of course can interfere with hormone production, circulation, energy levels, which are all vital for sexual desire. Diabetes can damage nerves and blood vessels, reducing sensitivity and blood flow needed for sexual arousal. Thyroid disorders can have an impact. They can cause anxiety, restlessness that diminish desire. Cardiovascular disease can affect it, so can obesity.

So these are all things that you can look out for and perhaps get help for. And then there's also medications that people are on such as antidepressants, as I mentioned, hormonal contraceptives, blood pressure medications that can lead to a diminished sex drive. And I want to say that it's normal for libido to fluctuate due to life circumstances or temporary stressors outside or within the relationship.

However, persistent changes in sexual desire, particularly when accompanied by other symptoms, may indicate an underlying hormonal imbalance or health issue.

So definitely consider going to a doctor for a hormonal evaluation if you notice a persistent low libido, unexplained fatigue, mood changes, physical symptoms like vaginal dryness or discomfort during sex, erectile dysfunction or difficulty maintaining arousal, unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight, menstrual irregularities, hair and skin changes. Blood tests can be done to measure these hormone levels and support you.

So lastly, let's look at lifestyle factors and their impact on libido. Lifestyle factors can play a significant role in shaping sexual health and desire. Poor habits, lack of self care and certain substances can lead to physical and psychological changes that diminish libido. Addressing these factors is often a crucial step in restoring the sexual energy and and overall well being. So sleep sleep is the foundation to both physical and emotional health.

Chronic sleep deprivation or poor quality sleep can negatively impact libido by disrupting hormone levels, reducing energy levels, affecting mood and mental health. A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that women who reported better sleep duration and better sleep quality were 14% more likely to engage in sexual activity the next day. Similarly, sleep disorders like sleep anapia in men are Closely associated with reduced testosterone levels and erectile dysfunction.

So really focus on helping each other to increase your quality and duration of sleep. Then there's lack of exercise. Exercise is not only vital for physical fitness, but also has a direct impact on sexual health and desire. A lack of regular physical activity can lead to decreased circulation, broad blood flow and this is going to affect the sexual arousal and performance. It can lead to lower energy levels.

Sedentary habits can lead to fatigue and lethargy, leaving little motivation for intimacy. Reduced confidence, physical inactivity can contribute to weight gain and a negative body image and diminishing sexual confidence. Increased stress Exercise is a natural stress reliever and in its absence can increase exuberate the feelings of anxiety which inhibit sexual desire. The positive impact of exercise is that it improves your mood throughout, releasing endorphins. It boosts energy and stamina.

It enhances blood flow and is crucial for arousal and performance. A study from the Psychology of Sport and Exercise found that individuals who engaged in regular physical activity reported higher levels of sexual satisfaction and frequency compared to those with sedentary lifestyles. And then there's eating, of course. Nutrition plays a pivotal role in overall health and libido.

Diets and high processed foods, sugars and unhealthy fats can negatively impact sexual health by contributing to weight gain and affecting the hormones. Lowering energy levels cause inflammation. And foods that boost libido are zinc rich foods. Pumpkin seeds, oysters. These can support hormone production. Dark chocolate contains a compound that increases dopamine levels, enhancing feelings of pleasure. Fruits like watermelon and berries can improve blood flow.

Healthy fats, salmon, avocados, nuts, etc are essential for also hormone regulation so you can eat differently and that can also impact libido. And then there's substance use and libido. So while substances like alcohol and recreational drugs may lower inhibitions in the short term, so their long term effects often diminish libido and sexual satisfaction. Alcohol in small amounts can reduce social anxiety and increase feelings of relaxation.

However, chronic use and over consumption can impair sexual performance by reducing the blood flow and dulling the nervous system. Long term abuse can lead to hormonal balances, particularly lower testosterone levels which are crucial for sexual desire. Then there's weed, cannabis. While some report increased sensitivity or desire after using cannabis, regular loose can lead to reduced testosterone levels and decreased overall libido. So it depends on the amount of course.

So you know yourself if this is a problem for you and maybe it's something to look at. And then there's other of course, recreational substances, which can give you a heightened sense of confidence, but in the long term can impact the relationship in negative ways and result in emotional withdrawal.

A review in the Addictive Behaviours Journal found that while alcohol and recreational drugs can lower inhibitions temporarily, they are often associated with long term declines in sexual performance and satisfaction due to their impact on physical health, hormones and emotional well being. So lifestyle factors such as sleep, exercise, diet and substance use are critical to maintaining a healthy sex life.

While poor habits can diminish sexual desire, positive habits can have transformative effects. So really focusing on your overall health and well being is a great place to start. Because low libido is rarely a standalone issue, is often a reflection of deeper emotional struggles, making a vital indicator of overall mental well being. Understanding the complex interplay between mental health and libido is essential for those experiencing difficulties and for their partners.

With the right support and resources, it's possible to break the cycle of stress, anxiety or depression and restore both intimacy and emotional connection. As low libido can lead to feelings of inadequacy, strain in relationships, frustration, then it's important to also recognize that libido isn't a measure of love and it certainly doesn't make a person a poor partner. Instead, it serves as a reflection of underlying factors that deserve exploration and care.

So if there is low libido happening in your relationship, take a compassionate approach. Get to the root causes, work through those, and then see how things unfold and get support. I'm going to share some tips with you in a moment. Before I do that, I want to mention a term you may or may have not heard of, and that's asexual. Asexuality and low libido are often misunderstood and confused, but they are fundamentally different concepts.

It's essential to distinguish between the two if you and your partner are experiencing this, and to approach these topics with clarity and empathy. Asexuality is a sexual orientation characterized by the absence of sexual attraction. It's not a choice, a temporary condition. Rather, it's an inherent aspect of a person's identity. According to the Asexual Visibility and Education Network, an asexual person does not experience sexual attraction.

They are not drawn to people sexually, and do not desire to act upon attraction to others in a sexual way. The key points about asexuality it's not a fear or a condition. Asexuality is not caused by trauma, low libido, or a fear of sexual 2. Some asexual people may still engage in sexual activity, often for emotional or romantic reasons even if they do not feel sexual attraction. And of course asexuality exists on a spectrum. So it's not black and white and there's not one size fits all.

Low libido, on the other hand, refers to a diminished desire for sexual activity. It's not a sexual orientation, but rather a state or condition that can result from the various factors that I discussed. This is how Aven defined the differences between asexuality and low libido. Asexuality is not a choice, it's an orientation. Abstaining from sex due to low libido or fear is a choice influenced by personal or situational factors.

While low libido and fear of sex can be often addressed or treated. Asexuality is an intrinsic aspect of a person's identity. Asexuality involves a lack of sexual attraction while low libido is a reduced desire for sexual activity that might still involve attraction. Paula and Marina came to me to repair their relationship. To help them navigate their future together. Paula and Marina's sex life was infrequent.

They had been married for seven years and had two small children together via IVF and in that seven years have barely had any sexual moments at all. Marina thought that the trying for a baby before IVF had put Paul off sex. And she wanted to see how they could make their intimate life more rewarding. They didn't have sex before marriage because of their religious beliefs. Marina was feeling really rejected and concerned.

She didn't have any first hand experience but thought that sex would be passionate and frequent like she's seen in the movies and heard from her friends. Paul had been reading up about his low libido as he felt guilt and shame that he just wasn't interested in sex, he never had been and hoped that by being married it it might change that, but it didn't.

Paul identified himself as asexual and he couldn't force himself to make himself do things that he didn't like to do or wasn't into just to make her happy. He dreaded her advances and started to withdraw from her. Marina was deeply hurt at the first and found it hard to understand, but decided that she loved him and she loved their family unit more. So she was willing to accept it.

Working together, we redefined intimacy in their relationship focusing on shared activities, emotional closeness and non sexual affection. Paul had been scared to hug or kiss her before in case she wanted more. But now they knew what their boundaries were. They knew that sex was off the table. They both felt safer. This Shift allowed Paul to then give her a lot of hugs, massages, more loving romantic gestures and kind words.

The shift also allowed Marina to feel grateful for what she had and and this shift allowed them to grow and strengthen their relationship and partnership. They were able to move past the resentment and blame that they were stuck in before. When one partner is asexual, it can introduce unique dynamics into a relationship. Couples may need to openly communicate about needs and boundaries. Explore non sexual forms of intimacy to strengthen their connection.

Seek guidance from a counsellor or therapist. Experience in Sexuality and Relationships Understanding your sexual orientation is deeply personal and it can take time. For some, asexuality becomes clear early in life, while others may take more time or experiences to determine whether they fit on that spectrum. It's also important to recognise that sexual preferences can evolve over time.

Cultural taboos and societal expectations about sex may prevent some individuals from openly acknowledging their asexuality or low libido. When we repress things, our mental and physical health can suffer. So it's important to talk to someone who you trust rather than going through it alone. And if you find yourself struggling with these challenges, consider the contributing factors discussed today and then take the appropriate actions to help you.

For couples, create a safe space to discuss feelings, needs and desires without judgment, using I statements to express emotions and avoid blame. Explore non sexual ways to connect, such as shared hobbies and interests, engaging conversations about topics that you both enjoy talking about, emotionally supporting one another, emotionally checking in with each other, giving each other attention and your presence.

Physical affection such as hugs, massages or holding hands can build closeness without pressure. Instead of fixating on problems, explore creative ways to meet each other's needs. Always focus on actions that you can take and be solution driven. After you've expressed yourselves, talk about okay, what's the plan? What will we do? How will we move forward? What steps can we take? It's so essential to challenge societal narratives too, that equate sexual activity with happiness or success.

Intimacy can take many forms and a fulfilling relationship can thrive on emotional, intellectual and spiritual connections too. By expanding the definition of intimacy, individuals and couples can create deeper, more meaningful bonds. Decreased libido are personal challenges that require patience and empathy and a willingness to explore underlying causes. Whether the goal is to reignite desire or redefine intimacy, the journey is unique to each individual and couple.

By prioritizing communication, self awareness and professional support, it's possible to overcome these challenges and build relationships rooted in trust, respect and a deep connection. And if you're looking to increase your connection further then I recommend that you check out my Relationship Toolkit. It's absolutely free. It has lots of different ways to reconnect without talking, how to also enhance your communication, and how to work on becoming closer.

You can get that by going to my website nicolabeer.com gift and you'll see the gift page with all the different gifts that I offer there. And you can also find the link in the show notes. It's called the Relationship Reconnect Toolkit. So from my heart to yours, wishing you an amazing week ahead. Take great care of yourself and each other. Dear listeners, today I celebrate you. You are among the few who actively nurture their love journey.

It's an act of courage, an act of self love and if today's episode resonated with you, be a beacon for others. Subscribe, rate and review. Let's spread this love and wisdom far and wide. Craving more? Discover the free [email protected] you can also find the links to helpful gifts in the Show Notes. Do also join our Relationship and Wellness Facebook group. It's a haven where we uplift, support and journey together towards richer, deeper love stories.

Remember, you have the power to craft the love story you deserve. Thank you for being with me today and until next time. Keep shining and loving with all your heart.

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