Women’s Libido: Hormones, Stress, Relationships & Evidence-Based Ways to Improve Desire (with Dr. Anu Sdu)

Women’s libido is one of the most misunderstood topics in medicine.For decades, low libido in women has been oversimplified into a hormone problem, a menopause problem, or something women are just expected to tolerate in silence.But women’s sexual desire is far more complex than that.In this episode of Endocrine Matters, Dr. Arti Thangudu sits down with Dr. Anu Sidhu, a family medicine and Lifestyle Medicine physician, to talk about the real causes of low libido in women, what actually affects female sexual desire across the lifespan, and why a woman’s libido should never be reduced to a single hormone level or a one-size-fits-all prescription.This episode explores: 🧠 Why women’s libido is different from men’s libido 💊 How hormones, stress, sleep, medications, relationships, and mental health all affect sexual desire ⚠️ Why low libido is often misunderstood in medical care 📚 The role of Bibliotherapy and erotic reading as an evidence-based treatment option 💉 When Testosterone may help — and when it may not 🩺 Which medications commonly lower libido, including antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and oral contraceptives 🤝 Why women deserve whole-person, nuanced care for sexual healthDr. Thangudu and Dr. Sidhu also discuss how shame, embarrassment, and lack of education keep women from talking about libido concerns — even though millions of women experience low sexual desire at different stages of life.This is a conversation about women’s sexual health, women’s libido, low libido treatment, hormones, relationships, body image, medication side effects, and why libido should be approached as a whole-body, whole-life issue.If you’ve ever wondered: Why is my libido low? Can stress cause low libido? Does Testosterone help women’s libido? Do antidepressants affect libido? What causes low libido in perimenopause or menopause? Can low libido be treated without medication?This episode is for you.Women deserve better conversations about sexual health.And they deserve clinicians who understand that libido is not just about hormones — it is about biology, psychology, relationships, safety, stress, and context.About The HostDr. Arti Thangudu is a board-certified Endocrinologist specializing in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, with additional certification in Lifestyle Medicine and menopause care. She focuses on evidence-based care, metabolic health, hormone health, and improving transparency in healthcare.About The GuestDr. Anu Sidhu is a Family Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine physician with nearly 20 years of clinical experience. She is the founder of Spring Monarch Primary Care, a direct primary care practice in Houston, Texas, and she is passionate about helping women become agents of their own health.Learn more about Dr. Sidhu here: Spring Monarch Primary Care →https://www.springmonarchmd.com/Follow Dr. Sidhu: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/anu.sidhu.md TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@anu.sidhu.mdIn This Episode You’ll Learn• What really causes low libido in women • Why women’s libido is highly responsive and multifactorial • How stress, sleep, body image, and relationships shape desire • Which medications commonly lower libido • The role of Testosterone in women’s sexual health • Why Bibliotherapy may help improve libido • How physicians can approach women’s sexual health more effectivelyLearn More / Connect✨ See Dr. Thangudu in clinic: Complete Medicine →https://www.sacomplete.com/💌 Stay connected: Sign up for the newsletter → https://www.sacomplete.com/complete-medicine-blog📲 Follow Dr. Arti Thangudu Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/drartithanguduAbout Endocrine MattersEndocrine Matters is a podcast dedicated to hormone health, metabolic health, thyroid disease, menopause, obesity medicine, and evidence-based healthcare education.Each episode breaks down complex medical topics so patients can make informed, empowered decisions about their health.