The seasonal drop in desire… is it a thing?

Sexologist Myriam Daguzan Bernier popularizes certain sexual questions with “La tête dans le cul”.

CHRONICLE – After a more than gray winter and an episode of freezing rain that we would have largely done without, the sun is starting to appear, to the delight of our mental health. And also, maybe… sleeping libidos?

We tend to forget it, but seasonal depression is a very real phenomenon. It can have a significant effect on psychological health. Moreover, if you feel depressed, you have to make sure that it is not just a depression that coincides with the colder seasons, but a recurring event during the fall and/or or winter. Still, there is seasonal depression, which, according to the Chief Scientist, affects around 20% of the population, and seasonal depression, also called “seasonal affective disorder”. About 2 to 3% of Canadians are affected by this disorder. We are talking here about elements such as: depressed mood, less interest and pleasure in what usually stimulates us, a greater desire to sleep, a lack of energy, etc. In short, it's not going very well. And whoever says mental health affected, says a good chance of having a drop in desire.

Indeed, when depression sets in, when you lack motivation and drive, it doesn't is probably not at this time that we will be at our best to live a fulfilling sexuality. If people can find comfort and energy in sexuality, many may see it as an extra effort to provide.

As seasonal depression is mainly linked to the lack of light, it is not really surprising to see people suddenly more inclined to go out, to be active and to take advantage of the beautiful weather. Thus, seeing more and more bare bodies and feeling a party energygetting settled can certainly be more inspiring, but it still probably has more to do with the end of an episode of blues or seasonal depression than with our pheromones arousing at the sight of more skin. (Besides, know this: it has not yet been proven that pheromones have an effect on attraction and sexual choices in humans. e.s.)

So, the decrease in desire seasonal sex, is it real? It really seems like yes. Mashable explains that women will have “more difficulty having an orgasm”, while men may “experience erectile dysfunction or problems getting and maintaining an erection”.  To try to stop this, we can turn to light therapy, which can greatly help counter seasonal depression. We also recommend taking walks and going out. Turning to meditation apps can also help to relax and achieve a certain letting go. Doing a body scan also allows you to get back into your body and your feelings.

In short, the sun is back; take the opportunity to fill up on vitamin D and energy. Desire, like a groundhog announcing spring, will certainly appear. 😉