What it means
The wish for sexual activity, which varies a great deal between people and over a lifetime. It can be lowered by stress, depression, tiredness, illness, hormone changes such as menopause or low testosterone, and many drugs, including some antidepressants and blood pressure medicines.
For the nurse
Ask about changes in sexual desire in a private, matter-of-fact way, since clients may stop a drug without saying so if it affects their sex life. Report it so the provider can consider another option.
At a glance
| Everyday words | sex drive |
|---|---|
| Spanish | libido |
Related terms
side effect
An effect of a drug, other than the one it is given for, that is known and expected to happen in some people.
menopause
The time in a woman's life when menstrual periods stop for good, counted once there has been no period for 12 months in a row.
major depressive disorder
A mental illness in which a person has a low mood or loses interest in almost everything for at least two weeks.