1. You Have Insomnia(01 of10)
Open Image Modal2. You've Grappled With Infertility(02 of10)
Open Image ModalMore often than not, infertility is a wrenching experience for both partners, and one that can influence sexual desire for months, or even years. When couples struggle to have a baby, it's typical for sex to become highly scheduled and goal-oriented, Mintz said, and goal-oriented sex tends to be less pleasurable. After long stretches of trying to conceive, the feeling of "I want something really badly and my body is failing me" becomes wrapped up in sex and sexual pleasure, Mintz explained. Many women continue to associate sex with the sadness, shame and disappointment that often accompany infertility for years -- even after conceiving. (credit:Getty)
3. Someone Cheated(03 of10)
Open Image Modal"After an affair, it's really hard for many people to have sex and not think, 'You did this with someone else,'" Mintz explained. It's not atypical for women to have sex issues after being cheated on and finding out about it, or after they themselves cheat (whether or not their partner knows). "After a woman has an affair, there can be guilt and stress and even fear of, 'If I do this differently [during sex], they'll figure it out.'" she added. Although some people actually report better sex during or after an affair, Mintz said cheating generally introduces feelings of guilt, shame, anxiety or anger into the mix, all of which can seriously lower libido. (credit:Getty)
4. You're A New Mom(04 of10)
Open Image Modal5. Your Thyroid's Off(05 of10)
Open Image Modal6. You're Taking Meds(06 of10)
Open Image Modal7. You're Insecure About Your Body(07 of10)
Open Image Modal8. You've Gone Through A Big Hormone Change(08 of10)
Open Image Modal9. Stagnation(09 of10)
Open Image ModalStagnation can mean many things when it comes to sex. Physical stagnation, or lack of movement, can take a toll on libido, Levine said. "It's important to move your body and get energy flowing," she explained, adding that although few scientific studies have addressed the connection between general movement and sex, it's easy to see how oxygenating the body and getting blood flowing, through yoga or a movement class can allow "tingly sensations to activate your erogenous areas." Then there's also boredom, which is another form of stagnation that can be equally, if not more, damaging. "It's easy to get in a rut and experience lack of interest," Levine said. She recommended new positions or "pleasure props" to help increase arousal and satisfaction. (credit:Getty)
10. Your Partner's Technique(10 of10)
Open Image Modal"If you're regularly having sex and aren't ending up satisfied, you're not going to be very motivated to keep doing it," Mintz said. Surveys suggest that up to 70 percent of women have faked orgasms at one point or another, which -- as countless women's magazines have counseled -- can be problematic, because it leads your partner to believe (falsely) that what he or she is doing gets you there. The most important piece of sex advice Mintz said she can give anyone is to know what you like and be able to tell your partner. "It sounds simple -- and it is simple -- but it's also so complicated and can be hard to implement," she said. (credit:Getty)