Sexual desire - what is it?

There are at least several terms for sexual desire. It is also called sex drive, libido or, most simply, the desire for sexual intercourse. It is a completely natural thing. The drive is the innate need for sexual gratification. It is the mental urge to engage in sexual intercourse. The aim is to satisfy basic sexual needs.

The level of drive varies from person to person. It changes under the influence of various factors. However, there is no standard or guideline that defines when libido is at the right level. Whether it is low or high depends on completely individual feelings. Sexual desire has intrigued researchers for a long time. The term libido was first used by Sigmund Freud. He believed that libido was a form of vital energy that enabled the realisation of sexual needs. Carl Gustav Jung described sexual attraction as psychic energy, stripping the term of its exclusively sexual meaning.

What does libido manifest itself as? The desire for sex and the readiness to have sexual intercourse. The drive is believed to be at a higher level in men. In general, several factors influence the level of libido: • well-being and lifestyle - a balance between work and rest is important, • stress, • hormone levels in the blood - especially testosterone and oestrogen, • attitude towards your partner, • acceptance of yourself, your body, • lifestyle - the use of stimulants or an unhealthy diet reduce libido levels.

As we mentioned above, there is no standard for the appropriate level of sexual desire. It is an individual feeling. If a low or high libido does not interfere with everyday relationships, everything should be considered fine and there is no question of a disorder. The problem arises, on the other hand, when the libido has remained at a satisfying level and is suddenly lowered. In this case, it is important to find the cause of the change and start treatment if necessary.

If you want to learn more about the factors affecting a man, Webinar Academy's training platform will be an ideal choice. Here you will find a number of courses that take a closer look at your chosen topic. Importantly, the training courses provided by Webinar Academy are available online, so it is easy to find a moment in your spare time and expand your knowledge.

Sexual desire in men

It is widely believed that sexual desire is higher in men. It is believed that they crave sex more often than women. Is this in fact the case? In men, the urge is related to stimuli provided by different senses. These include visual, auditory or tactile stimuli. Sometimes even the mere imagination of a sexual act results in the desire for intercourse. A little stimulation of the erogenous zones is sometimes enough to make a man ready for intercourse. In addition, in men, commitment to a relationship is closely linked to sexual needs and their satisfaction - or not. Moreover, aggression is more closely linked to sexual behaviour than in women. Finally, libido levels in men do not change as much over time as in women.

Sexuality issues in men are also problems - with maintaining an erection or not being able to hold back ejaculation. This is often caused by an inappropriate lifestyle, lack of physical activity, poor diet, smoking or drinking alcohol.

Sexual desire in women

Sexual desire in women is commonly thought to be lower than in men. This is directly related to how libido works. In women, the level of drive does not depend so much on physical or visual stimuli. It is linked more to external and internal factors, mainly the relationship to the partner and stress levels. Mental factors, fatigue, problems, arguments in the relationship are of great importance when it comes to the desire for intimacy. Achieving a balance between these factors stimulates desire in women. So it looks very different from men. In addition, hormones are also responsible for the level of desire in women. Problems with hormonal balance are a prelude to a lowered libido.

Sexual desire and its changes with age

The level of libido is not the same throughout life. It changes over the years. Paradoxically, sexual desire in women is not at its highest when they are just entering sexual life. The first attempts, the first experiences can bring different experiences that do not necessarily allow one to fully enjoy sex. In men, on the other hand, it is somewhat different. At a young age, they want to gain experience, and they have little problem with not wanting to have sex.

After 30, libido levels increase. This is related to gaining experience, learning about one's own body and knowing what gives pleasure. With the arrival of a child, women's libido levels decrease. This has to do with prolactin, a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. The body produces more of it after childbirth. Libido also physiologically decreases during pregnancy, after the menopause, also when a woman is tired.

For men of this age, sex is still important, but they are looking for more and more tenderness and cuddling. There is no longer a desire for experimentation or new conquests. After 30, the level of testosterone in the blood drops and hence the decrease in the level of desire.

After 40, the first problems occur - with reaching orgasm or having an erection. A midlife crisis can also occur. All this has to do with a decrease in libido. Many problems are caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, lack of physical activity, stress, poor diet. Eliminating these problems can help a lot.

Libido, sex drive, appetite for sex. Many names, one meaning. Sexual desire is completely natural. In theory, it affects every human being, but there are some people in whom it does not naturally occur, in which case it is said to be asexual. However, different levels of sexual desire in different people are not worrying. There is no measure or standard about what level is good and what level is too low. It all depends on personal preference. It is also important to get the right match with your partner and take care of each other's needs.

If you want to learn more about the processes behind libido and how its levels have changed over the years, consider taking an online course. Check out Webinar Academy, a platform where you can find many interesting online courses. Remote learning is a great way to expand your knowledge at home. Combine your course with other responsibilities without any problems.