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Stressed Out and Turned Off: How Stress Impacts Your Libido

Natalie Lamprou

Woman in bed stressed out and unable to be sex with partner.

When we talk about sexual health, mental health often gets left out of the conversation. But the two are deeply intertwined. That’s because sex drive isn’t just about chemistry – it turns out that your stress levels might play a bigger role than you think. In the recent Decoding Desire survey by Beducated, 61% of our almost 2,000 respondents said stress had an impact on their sex lives. This goes deeper than the occasional bad or two. Many survey-takers detailed ongoing stresses like work pressure, financial woes, and relationship drama, dialing down their desire for intimacy. 


In this article, we’ll dive into how stress might be hitting the brakes on your or your partner’s libido and what you can do about it.


Libido, Stress, and Everything in Between


Libido, which describes our “appetite” or desire for sex, can be fickle. It’s shaped by a lot of things like hormones, mental health, and even how your day went. You’d have heard people describing libido as “low” or “high,” but in reality, there is no scientific consensus on what constitutes a universal “normal” sex drive. 


Stress is a normal nuisance that we all experience at some point. The World Health Organization defines it as “a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation.” When we’re stressed, our body goes into fight-or-flight mode and releases the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol helps us respond to dangerous and stressful situations, but too much of it can throw your body (and libido) out of balance. 


“When I’m stressed, I don’t have the energy to be intimate with my partner.”

– Decoding Desire Respondent 1 (Anonymized) 


In the Decoding Desire survey, the majority of respondents shared that sex impacts their sex lives, regardless of gender. Women were disproportionately affected, however, with 3 in 4 female respondents saying stress has had an impact on intimacy. The types of stress seemed to be different as well. While men were more likely to say they were impacted by work-related stress, women reported higher levels of financial and family stress.


How Does Stress Impact Sex?


Survey-takers were asked to share how they experienced stress spilling into their sex lives. The most common response was fatigue, with many respondents sharing that stress made them too tired to be intimate. Other common answers included physical pain such as migraines and, of course, the loss of sex drive. 


“Stress manifests itself in my body as fatigue, which can cause heightened irritability and have some side effects such as vaginal dryness.”

– Decoding Desire Respondent 2 (Anonymized) 


5 Ways to Shake off Stress for Better Sex


#1 Share the Burden

If you’re in a relationship, it’s important that both partners share the responsibility of maintaining the household—and the relationship. When one person carries too much of the load, stress builds, and resentment can creep in. Divvy up tasks to lighten the mental load.


#2 Practice Mindful Breathing 

A few minutes of deep, mindful breathing each day can do wonders for stress reduction. This simple technique not only helps calm your mind, but also improves blood flow, which can be beneficial for your overall sexual health. It’s a perfect practice to help ground yourself before intimate moments.


#3 Create a Relaxing Atmosphere

A calm, comfortable environment can help ease tension and set the mood. Dim lighting, soft music, and cozy surroundings can help both you and your partner unwind, making intimacy more enjoyable.


#4 Incorporate Self-Care Rituals

Regular self-care—whether it’s moisturizing, gentle massages, or using soothing oils—keeps your body healthy and happy. Taking time for yourself not only enhances your mental well-being but also supports sexual health.


#5 Communicate Openly

Talking openly with your partner about what feels good — and what doesn’t — can reduce anxiety and increase relaxation. Good communication can make intimate experiences more fulfilling and less stressful.


The Takeaway


The link between stress and libido is real, and you definitely cannot ignore it. Data from the Decoding Desire survey made it clear: stress is a significant player when it comes to sex drive, with 61% of people feeling its impact. Whether it’s work pressure, financial worries, or relationship issues, stress can dial down desire in a big way.


But the good news is that there are practical ways to fight back. Managing stress through open communication, self-care, or slowing down can make a big difference.


Natalie is a writer at Beducated. She has years of experience creating educational content for the company with the help of sex educators, sex coaches, and hours of going down sexology rabbit holes. She's just acquired her degree in Digital Media with a specialization in Data Journalism from the Cologne University of Applied Sciences. After over three years as a part-time working student, she’s proud to have entered her "big-girl" role as Marketing Manager, bidding farewell to work-FOMO for good.


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