Sexual desire is a person's general sexual drive or desire for sexual activity. Sexual desire is influenced by biological, psychological and social factors.
Definition of sexual desire
Desire is part biology, part psychology, and is often subtle as expected, and takes a different form in men and women. For men, the excitement is usually higher than the desire.
But for women, desire usually precedes arousal, in response to physical intimacy, emotional attachment, and an atmosphere free from distractions and everyday concerns.
Scientists are constantly exploring the interaction between biological influences, such as neurohormones that suppress or enhance desire, and psychological influences, such as emotions and relationships.
Factors that affect sexual desire
Other than affectionate behaviors between couples, scent plays an often hidden role in attraction; Research shows that women are attracted to mates whose natural body odor (sometimes referred to as pheromones) indicates a genetic profile distinct from their own.
It is a person's general sexual drive or desire for sexual activity.
Sexual desire is influenced by biological, psychological and social factors:
- Biologically speaking: Sex hormones and associated neurotransmitters acting on the nucleus accumbens (primarily testosterone and dopamine) regulate sexual desire in humans.
- Social factors: work and family.
- Internal psychological factors: personality and stress that affect sexual desire.
Sexual desire can also be affected by medical conditions, medications, lifestyle, relationship problems, and age (such as puberty).
A person who is very nervous or has a sudden increase in libido may suffer from sex addiction while the opposite is frigidity.
A person may have a desire for sex, but does not have the opportunity to act on that desire, or may refrain for personal, moral, or religious reasons from acting on the desire.
Psychologically, a person can be restrained or tolerated. Conversely, a person can engage in sexual activity without actually wanting to do so. Multiple factors affect the human sex drive, including stress, illness, pregnancy, and more.
Why is sexual desire important?
Sexual desires are often an important factor in the formation and maintenance of intimate relationships in humans. A lack or loss of sexual desire can negatively affect relationships. Changes in the sexual desires of either partner in a sexual relationship, if they continue unresolved, may cause problems in the relationship.
Partner infidelity may be an indication that the partner's changing sexual desires are no longer satisfied in the current relationship. Problems can arise from varying sexual desires between partners, or poor communication between partners with sexual needs and preferences.
There is no single healthy standard of sexual desire. The scope and details for each person are highly individual. A naturally high and low sex drive is normal. Libido can also fluctuate over time - for both health and unhealthy reasons.