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Step 1
Begin by looking for the underlying causes of a low sex drive. Get a thorough medical exam to determine if you are already taking a medication that has known sexual side effects (and therefore needs to be adjusted or changed to support a sexually active lifestyle) or that there is a previously unconfirmed medical condition that affects the hormonal balance of your system so that you are not interested in sex.
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Step 2
Start a protocol of estrogen therapy if medical tests are negative for other complications. Your doctor may prescribe systematic estrogen therapy--in pill, patch or gel form--or she may prefer you to use a local estrogen therapy--vaginal cream or slow-release suppository rings that are placed in the vagina. The purpose of any estrogen therapy is to improve brain and mood function, as well as increase blood flow to the vagina.
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Step 3
Start a protocol of testosterone therapy if the estrogen therapy proves ineffectual after six months. Testosterone therapy is controversial and is not yet (as of 2009) approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While it is true that testosterone can be effective in raising a woman's libido, the side effects can be severe. They include acne, excess body hair (hirsutism), as well as possible mood and personality changes. Make sure that you and your doctor closely monitor your blood levels throughout the entire process.
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Step 4
Make the necessary changes in your lifestyle to enhance the effectiveness of whatever treatment option you ultimately choose. Low sex drive in women is also positively affected by these lifestyles shifts: aerobic and weight-training exercise, stress reduction and strengthening pelvic muscles (tighten your pelvic muscles as if you're stopping a stream of urine; hold for a count of five, relax and repeat).
