Stress, but make it sexy
When it comes to sex and reproduction, stress only begets more stress. The APA details how in both men and women, stress has the nefarious ability to lower libido and diminish reproduction. When men suffer from chronic stress it can lower the amount of testosterone they are able to produce, resulting in a lower sex drive and sometimes even erectile dysfunction and impotence. A study published in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology found that semen quality is impaired by psychological stress, which could also make it harder for couples trying to conceive.
Women suffer similar consequences when enduring chronic stress. It wouldn’t be uncommon for a woman under constant strain to lose the desire to have sex, find irregularities or absences in their menstrual cycle, or struggle to get pregnant. For pregnant women under chronic duress, there could be implications for the fetus, and the chance of postpartum depression increases (per APA).
The Mayo Clinic says something to look out for if you have a lower sex drive due to stress is feelings of irritability that might cause social withdrawal.
