Dr Kola Osibote, an Abuja-based Gynaecologist, has said that alcoholism and drug abuse can lead to low sex drive in women.
Osibote said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday that although low sex drive was common in women than in men, the condition could be corrected since it was more of a psychological disorder.
According to him, the lack of sexual urge in some women may be temporary with many getting over it themselves or with the help of psychosexual assistance.
Osibote said that statistics available indicated that 700 in 1,000 women would experience a lack of libido in their lifetime.
The doctor said that women with such disorders would not have a problem with orgasm but had no real desire to have sex due to a lack of interest.
“Loss of iron during menstruation, diseases such as diabetes, could lead to loss of sexual appetite in women.
“Post-baby coolness that happens after childbirth due to hormonal changes which occur after giving birth contributes to lack of sex drive.
“General trauma of childbirth also plays a part – and after having a baby, many women are too exhausted to think about sex,’’ Osibote said.
He added that some drugs, such as tranquillisers, abnormalities in the production of luteinising hormone, could also reduce sex drive in women.
Osibote also explained that loss of libido in women could be due to the lack of androgenic (male) hormones, such as testosterone.
According to Osibote, when a woman is having a bad time emotionally she lacks interest in sex.
The expert also said that stress, depression, anxiety, rape, latent lesbianism as well as childhood problems contributed to loss of sex appetite.
He, however, said that menopause did not reduce libido in women rather many women could become sex hungry and have more orgasms during the postmenopausal part of their lives.
Osibote advised women experiencing such conditions to engage in activities that would arouse sex urge.
He said that foreplay increased blood flow to the vagina and the clitoris and as a result increased the desire for sex.
Osibote said other known measures included use of drugs that contained ingredients similar to the physical touch which also produced tingly sensation in the clitoris.
