Then when their daughter, Rossini, arrived, it seemed that her drive for sex suddenly diminished substantially. Lucky for her, her husband has an open mind, giving his full understanding to her sudden coldness.

Why had her libido suddenly diminished? Had the sudden loss of her desire anything to do with fatigue and stress? What they didn’t know then was that the hormone prolaction, which triggers milk production, also curbs the urge for lovemaking.

Libido changes for any number of reasons. Today, as women seek help, doctors are studying the factors that cause decreased libido. Surely, there are solutions to such problems.

Here is a list of 5 cures for the most common culprits on diminishing sexual desire:

1. Sleep Well. The treatment is easy and inexpensive: seven to nine hours of shuteye a night. If you’re experiencing insomnia, try to practice good sleep habits. Maintain a regular sleep/wake schedule, get at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise three days a week, and avoid caffeine within eight hours of bedtime. Don’t consume more than one alcoholic beverage at night and don’t go to bed on a full or an empty stomach.

2. Exercise Wisely. Most of the news about exercise and sex is good. According to one study, aerobic exercise (an hour a day) has been shown to increase sexual frequency and responsiveness in men, and researchers assume it gives women the same libidinal zing.

Extreme exercise, however, may cause a backlash in the bedroom by decreasing blood testosterone levels. Furthermore, women who lose their periods due to overexercising may also lose vaginal lubrication.

To reap exercise benefits, be sure to maintain a moderate workout schedule, increase the intensity of your regimen gradually, and consume enough calories to pre-serve a healthful level of body fat.

3. Beat Depression. “Depression has a constellation of symptoms, including loss of interest in sex,” says a psychologist. Exactly how depression undermines sex drive physiologically is unclear. Psychologically, though, the link is obvious. “People who are depressed don’t feel good about themselves,” says one expert. The good news is that once depression is treated, libido usually returns.

4. Watch Those Anti-Depressants. Indeed, up to half of the people taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be victims of this side effect. These drugs alter the balance of serotonin, which can interfere with sexual function.

Fortunately, there are ways around the problem. You can decrease the dosage (with your physician’s help) or wait two to six months to see if your body builds up a tolerance to the drug. Or ask your doctor about taking a drug holiday.

5. Manage Stress. If you suspect that stress is causing low libido, find time to decompress by taking a bath or a long walk early in the evening.