How do we Define Libido?

The History of the Libido

Sigmund Freud was the first person to define libido.  He claimed that the sex drive is the second strongest urge in humans, after sleep. His life’s work became well known, and is still used today as a foundation for psychology. He used the word libido to describe the instinctive psychosexual energy that he believed was inside of everyone from birth.

As he began to define libido, he broke our relationship with our libido into several stages that he believed we all go through.

• During the first year of life, our libidos manifest themselves through the sucking action of the mouth. This is the oral phase of development.

• During the second year, libido shifts to the anal area as we become potty trained.

• Between the ages of three and six, the libido moves to the genitals.

Freud believed that at the root of all psychiatric illness, and in fact all human issues, is a frustrated or confused libido. This could generally be traced back to the relationship with the parents.  

Today this term has stuck, and we define libido as the basic desire and urge for sex.

What Affects Our Libido?

Our libidos are a complex combination of the physical and emotional. Sex hormones such DHEA, testosterone and oestrogen play a huge role, as well as other hormones like prolactin and growth hormone. Brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin are also involved in our sexual desires, and the mysterious and odorless pheromones that come out in our sweat may also be at the root of our libidos.  All of our senses are also involved in how turned on we are. Sensory stimulation like our site imagination, taste, smell, and touch are all linked to our sexuality.   

In order to define libido, we have to examine the beliefs that are given to us by our parents, friends, culture and society are also behind our libidos. And our sex drive is further affected by external stress, exercise, drug and alcohol intakes, smoking habits, general health, fatigue, diet and even the degree of exposure to sunlight.