Libido: Function, Tasks, Role & Diseases

Sex is more than just “the most beautiful trivial thing in the world”, sexual intercourse is necessary to ensure the continuation of humanity. And since our instincts lead us to want to reproduce and produce offspring, Mother Nature endowed us with the libido. Our sexual desire leads us to reproduce.

What is libido?

The term libido refers to the general desire for sexual intercourse and sexual acts with the purpose of sexual gratification. By the term libido is meant the general desire for sexual intercourse and sexual acts with the purpose of sexual gratification. This refers primarily to the human predisposition to it, not just the desire that exists at the time of sex. Libido varies greatly in humans. There are people with less sexual desire and those who crave sexual satisfaction very frequently. The spectrum of what is perceived as normal and what is perceived as deviation is wide here. To some extent, this classification also depends on the partner and to what extent the frequency of sexual desire of the respective partners are similar and who perceives what as “too much” or “too little”. Nevertheless, pathological deviations may be possible here.

Functions and tasks

The libido is there to make people have sexual intercourse. From a physiological and evolutionary biological point of view, libido is the drive for humans to produce offspring. A normally developed libido and a fulfilling sex life not only ensure offspring, but also contribute to the psychosocial well-being of the individual. Sexual desire not only ensures the desire to perform sexual intercourse, but enables and facilitates it in the first place. Increased blood circulation and various hormonal processes in the body cause the man to have an erection, the woman’s vagina is optimally supplied with blood, and she secretes vaginal fluid, as a natural lubricant, so to speak. This creates the best possible conditions for sexual intercourse from a purely physical point of view. Sexual pleasure is thus also a prerequisite for orgasm. The male orgasm is absolutely necessary for reproduction, but the female orgasm should also serve to bring the sperm better in the direction of the uterus. So, in a rather complex way, nature has taken care to preserve the human and also animal species. Today, sexual pleasure is considered separately from the desire to have children. Since the advent of the birth control pill in the 1960s, women decide for themselves when and if they want to have children.

Diseases, ailments, and disorders

Diseases related to libido can include increased sexual desire, as well as little or no interest in sex. Both can be very distressing for those affected, as well as for their sexual partners. An increased desire for sex can lead to sex addiction, and those affected seek constant satisfaction, which can also lead to frequent cheating in partnerships. The best-known example from the recent press is the professional golfer Tiger Woods, who tried to excuse his countless affairs with a sex addiction and now wants to have it treated. A little pronounced behavior can also lead to problems in the partnership. Singles who want a partnership also find it difficult to reveal to their partner that sex is not particularly important to them. However, a reduced libido can also have physical causes. It is not uncommon for the affected partner to want to make love to his sexual partner, but the body puts a spoke in his wheel. Especially in men, the erection, which is a prerequisite for sexual intercourse, depends on sexual desire. But women also need sexual pleasure to be able to unite with the man without pain. Here, appropriate medications can help, which, of course, must always be prescribed by the doctor. Numerous offers on the Internet are more harmful than helpful here. A lack of libido can also have psychological causes. Already stress at work, but also problems in the partnership or diseases can negatively affect the love drive. No more lubricants will help here, rather psychotherapy or a general elimination of stress is indicated.