Sexual desire

Sexual desire, also called sex drive or libido, is the desire to have sex or engage in sexual activity. Sexual desire varies enormously between people. Some guys think about sex frequently, while others rarely feel the urge at all.

Sexual desire can lead people to casual sex, dating, masturbation, watching porn or looking for a sexual partner. Some guys satisfy their sex drive by hooking up with women, while others regularly watch porn or pay hookers and escorts for sex. Having a strong sex drive doesn't necessarily mean somebody wants a relationship or is romantically attracted to the people they want to have sex with.

Sex drive can also change throughout a person's life. Age, hormones, relationships, stress, mood and other factors can all affect how often somebody wants sex. There is no single amount of sexual desire which is same for everyone.

Sexual desire is not the same as sexual attraction. A person can find somebody sexually attractive without actually wanting sex at that moment. Likewise, physical arousal and the desire to have sex are related but not exactly the same thing.

See Also

• Sexuality | Sexual attraction | Sexual desire | Sexual arousal

• Gay | Lesbian | Bisexuality | Heterosexuality

• Dating | Romance | Relationship | Sexual relationship

• Masturbation | Sexual intercourse | Celibacy | Abstinence

• LGBT | Gay and lesbian travel | Coming out

• Sex topics & Phrasebooks | Sex vocabulary & Abbreviations

• Consent | Safe sex | STD | HIV/AIDS