Low Libido Isn’t a Lack of Desire. It’s a Lack of Safety.

The Science

Your libido is governed by a delicate dance between your stress and sex hormones. Cortisol, your primary stress hormone, and oxytocin, your bonding hormone, exist on opposite sides of a physiological seesaw. When cortisol goes up, oxytocin drops. Over time, this imbalance suppresses progesterone and DHEA—two hormones that regulate mood, relaxation, and desire.

The nervous system also plays a major role. Chronic stress keeps your body in “fight or flight” mode, where blood flow moves away from your reproductive organs toward your muscles and brain for quick survival responses. In that state, desire can’t thrive—it’s biologically turned off.

 The Root Cause

Low libido often reflects unmet needs: physical rest, emotional safety, nutritional stability. Your body interprets under-eating, overtraining, or chronic emotional tension as danger signals. It can’t tell the difference between an argument with your partner and a lion chase—it only knows you’re unsafe.

This survival state suppresses reproductive hormones and dulls desire to protect your energy reserves. It’s not that you don’t want intimacy; your body simply doesn’t feel ready for it.

 How to Support It

·        Stabilize blood sugar. Eat balanced meals every 3–4 hours to prevent cortisol spikes.

·        Sleep deeply. Quality REM sleep restores progesterone and balances stress hormones.

·        Support connection. Simple touch, laughter, and eye contact raise oxytocin.

·        Release survival mode. Grounding, breathwork, and slow movement rewire your nervous system for safety.

·        Nourish your body. Minerals like magnesium and zinc are vital for hormone production.