This article was co-authored by Klare Heston, LCSW and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Klare Heston is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker based in Cleveland, Ohio. With experience in academic counseling and clinical supervision, Klare received her Master of Social Work from the Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983. She also holds a 2-Year Post-Graduate Certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, as well as certification in Family Therapy, Supervision, Mediation, and Trauma Recovery and Treatment (EMDR).
There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
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If you always seem to be turned on so strongly that it’s difficult to keep your head straight, you may be interested in lowering your sex drive. While there’s no way to instantly turn your sex drive off, there are plenty of ways to curb your impulses and take some of the intensity out of your sexual energy. In this article, we’ll cover the causes, treatments, and tricks you need to keep an overactive sex drive under control. Keep in mind, a high sex drive is only an issue if it interferes with your life and causes you distress or if it’s a symptom of some kind of medical condition. If you’re happy and healthy the way you are, you don’t need to change anything.
Things You Should Know
- There is no such thing as a “normal” sex drive, so don’t be self-conscious or hard on yourself for wanting to have sex.
- See a therapist if you suspect you have an underlying mental or emotional problem causing this or your relationships are struggling due to your sex drive.
- Ask your doctor about SSRIs, anti-androgens, or birth control. All of these medications can curb a high sex drive.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
References
- ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/libido
- ↑ https://www.allinahealth.org/healthysetgo/nourish/foods-that-put-you-in-the-mood-fact-or-fiction
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14520600/
- ↑ https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/sexualhealth/characteristics.html
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/when-an-ssri-medication-impacts-your-sex-life
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4036458/
- ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/tests/hormone-levels
- ↑ https://www.osmosis.org/learn/Selective_serotonin_reuptake_inhibitors
- ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014299919307356
- ↑ https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/ask-experts/im-on-the-pill-and-ive-noticed-a-drop-in-my-sex-drive-what-should-i-do
- ↑ https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/about-us/news/aging-sex-drive
- ↑ https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/what-to-know-about-womens-sex-drive.html
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12807294/
- ↑ https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/08/18/432704214/addyi-fda-approves-drug-to-boost-womens-desire
- ↑ https://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/03/hormones
- ↑ https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/topics/sex-addiction.html
About This Article
To lower your sex drive, take herbal supplements known to reduce testosterone, like Chaste Tree Berry, licorice, or red reishi. Make sure to talk to your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet so you can do it safely. When you feel the urge to have sex, distract yourself by going for a walk or playing a game, anything that will put your attention on something else. Consider getting your body moving through a vigorous exercise like kickboxing or weight-lifting. However, exercise can increase testosterone production, so be careful not to work out too much. For a less intense physical distraction, learn relaxation techniques like yoga or tai chi, which can help you cope with sexual tensions. For more help from our co-author, including how to reach out to a therapist about your urges, read on.
Reader Success Stories
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"Well, I am just 18 old and I discover that sex is not for me. I mean, I feel attratcted by women, but I would like to not having libido at all (I think libido is sex drive). Sex drive consume a lot of time, thinking and energy, etc... I feel way better."..." more