EVERYTHING is a bit flat in January – the weather, social activities and… sex life.
Getting frisky in the winter means stripping off when it’s – let’s face it – too chilly to do so, and you may not be feeling body confident post Christmas indulge.
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But according to Dr Babak Ashrafi, there’s more at play when it comes to our waning winter libido.
The GP at Superdrug Online Doctor said shorter days and fewer hours of sunlight can do more than lower your general mood.
From festive stress to so-called ‘winter vagina’, “there are a multitude of reasons why someone’s sex drive might be lower in the winter months or why people have less sex than usual”, the GP said.
1. ‘Winter vagina’
Ever heard of the term ‘winter penis’? It describes how penises (temporarily) shrink due to the cold.
Read more on winter health
Well, the vagina doesn’t necessarily shrink, but it may not be particuarly up for much.
According to Dr Ashrafi: “A drop in temperature can make skin and hair become dry and dehydrated, but not many people know that the temperature change can also affect your vagina in the same way.
“The vagina and surrounding area can become dry, itchy, and irritated, resulting in uncomfortable sex.”
There are ways to get around this. Some lube can go long way to make sex more comfortable and combat dryness down there.
At the root cause, addressing dry skin or associated pain comes down to self-care.
For example, wearing cotton underwear instead of synthetics and avoiding harsh body washes or bath bombs (which are drying on the skin) can help with reducing friction in the area.
But “if the problem persists then please speak to a healthcare professional”, the GP advised.
Vaginal dryness is one symptom of menopause which can be managed with treatment.
2. Festive stress hangover
Stress can strike at any time of year.
But perhaps you are still reeling from the festive period.
Dr Ashrafi explained: “Christmas time can be overwhelming and exhausting.
“Stress and worries can impact your sex drive, as well as other areas of your life, which is why it’s important to improve the ways you manage stress.”
Giving yourself time to slow down and unwind might be exactly what you need this January.
3. SAD
Many of us will have already noticed how the fewer hours of daylight at this time of year might be leaving us less sprightly than usual.
Dr Ashrafi said: “A lack of daylight and shorter days can result in low mood and SAD (seasonal affective disorder) for some people, but it also affects your libido.
“Less sunlight equals less serotonin, which is a natural mood stabiliser, and without this it can affect your mood.”
Symptoms of SAD, also known as ‘winter depression’, include:
- A persistent low mood
- A loss of pleasure or interest in normal everyday activities
- Irritability
- Feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness
- Feeling lethargic and sleepy during the day
- Sleeping for longer than normal and finding it hard to get up in the morning
- Craving carbohydrates and gaining weight
- Difficulty concentrating
- Decreased sex drive
You should consider seeing a GP if you’re struggling to cope with these symptoms, the NHS advises.
Getting natural sunlight where you can is a must.
But you can also supplement it with a special lamp called a light box.
Exercise can also help give your mood a boost, as well as talking to specialist or trusted friend.
4. Seasonal fatigue
Feeling fatigued and tired may be causing your new health kick plans to flop – and something else.
Tiredness is a top reason for avoiding sex.
Dr Ashrafi added: “Less sunlight exposure and spending more time indoors also results in vitamin deficiencies which can make you feel more tired in winter months.”
But the GP emphasised: “There are many ways to combat low libido.”
He advised you speak to a pharmacist or GP to find solutions.
