Before Ingrid gave birth to their first child, her husband and she had a very healthy and satisfying sex life. To say the least, their sexual urge remained at their apex.

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.

Do you control the stress in your life or does the stress control you? Too many men are unaware of how much stress they are actually under in today’s society. After all, men are typically still labeled as ‘heads of the household’ and they are expected, mostly from themselves, to buck-up and keep pressing onward through life’s demands of work and family. Their fathers seemed to hold it all together fine. Their friends and co-workers look as though they are coping well. So most men will ignore stress and continue to live an unhealthy lifestyle that will eventually catch up with them. In this article, let us identify the risk factors of having too much stress and start to gain a healthy control over our lives.

Stress affects individuals differently. Studies have proven that we all are exposed to higher stress levels than we recognize. This stress causes blood pressure levels to elevate, headaches and migraines appear more often and muscle tension increases. These effects of stress cause us to become tense, edgy and irritable. Most men and women alike will share these typical stress symptoms and most will usually take a pain reliever. Some may even choose to have an alcoholic beverage to relieve the tension.

Although headaches and migraines are typical when the body is going through stress, other aspects include lack of sleep, improper eating habits and lack of exercise. These are well known characteristics of an unhealthy and stress-filled lifestyle. All of these contributing factors will surely lead to bigger issues down the road if they are not addressed. Many men will suffer from numerous health problems due to ignoring their health. Once we realize that we fit this unhealthy profile, it is time to address each factor that is detrimental to your overall health.

Proper nutrition is paramount to better your health. Getting the nutrition our bodies crave doesn’t need to be as difficult as we may think. It does not mean you will never get to eat a cheeseburger with fries again, just not as often or prepared a different way. Too many meals are taken on the run and are usually some type of fast food or a quick preparation meal. Constant intakes of this type of eating will boost body fats to high levels and does not provide the needed nutrients and vitamins. An imbalance of vitamins and minerals will eventually lead to lethargy and not provide adequate energy needed to perform your normal daily tasks. Avoiding food products that contain unhealthy oils, fat and sugar is key. Consumption of alcohol and caffeine in moderation are not detrimental, however excess of these items can affect your overall health.

Exercise is imperative in helping you deal with stress. It’s important to walk away from your desk at work and go for a nice brisk walk. Walking is simple enough to do, but are you doing it? Getting up and stretching a little or getting some fresh air is simply not enough. Although stretching and fresh air are certainly good for you, it is much better when combined with the pumping of your heart. Walking briskly will also clear your head and pump blood throughout your body. Fifteen or twenty minutes of walking is all it takes and you’ll return to your work with a new attitude. Try to take a nightly walk at home as well. Walking can also provide good quality time to share with your loved ones as well, and it’s free.

Although we must work in order to provide for others and ourselves, we need to establish reasonable limits and expectations. Time management and organization will aid in making your work hours more efficient and productive. Prioritize tasks and daily needs by order of importance and time frames. Attempt to complete assignments in a realistic time frame. Although we can seldom avoid last minute schedule changes or assignments, try not to let it disrupt your entire day. Establish reasonable expectations for yourself.

Oftentimes we need to say “no” when asked to add unreasonable demands on our time. Unfortunately, many men largely define themselves by their work and accomplishments. Should you choose to seek it, it is possible to create realistic balances between your work and personal time. It is a change you will need to take control of and better your quality of life.

Our lives often become dictated by time, there is too much to do and not enough time to accomplish everything. A stressful lifestyle not only cheats us of a fulfilling life, it cheats our families and loved ones as well. Start providing them with the best “you” possible and take the necessary measures in controlling the stress in your life now.