The question of why a partner no longer wants to have sex is one of the most common topics in relationships, especially during the winter months. This issue should not be taken lightly, as it is often linked to pain, confusion, and caregiving responsibilities.
A situation where one partner tries to initiate intimacy but faces rejection can escalate into a constant lack of initiative and the cessation of sexual life. As a result, the rejected partner may begin to doubt themselves, questioning their age, attractiveness, or the possibility of their partner cheating.
Although age and hormonal changes, such as menopause or declining testosterone levels, undoubtedly play a role, it is a mistake to assume they are the sole cause. Many young couples face this problem because life in general is complicated for everyone right now.
Desire is a complex mechanism regulated by stress, mental health, relationship dynamics, and biological factors. To understand why a partner has withdrawn, self-analysis is necessary both individually and as a couple, which is the first step toward restoring intimacy in the bedroom.
When a woman loses sexual interest, the reason is rarely simple. For women, desire tends to be more reactive than spontaneous, and it is crucial to consider her internal state, not just physical contact.
Women often carry a disproportionately large share of invisible burdens, including managing household schedules, work, emotional labor, and childcare. When a woman's brain is constantly occupied with an endless list of duties and anxieties, transitioning into a sensual and mindful state becomes almost impossible; exhaustion is the main enemy of libido.
For many women, emotional intimacy is a prerequisite for physical intimacy. Unresolved conflicts, feelings of being undervalued, or the impression that affection only happens when the partner wants sex can make intimacy transactional. When the emotional bond weakens, the impulse for physical closeness ceases.
Common medications also significantly affect female sexual desire. Hormonal contraceptives, antidepressants, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are known to dull libido and make orgasm difficult to achieve, causing frustration that facilitates sexual avoidance.
Another possible factor is general dissatisfaction with the partner.
Society perpetuates the myth that men are hypersexual beings ready for intimacy at any moment. Male libido is vulnerable to emotional, psychological, and physiological stressors.
A man's confidence in bed is often closely tied to his ability to perform. If he has experienced an episode of erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation caused by fatigue, alcohol, or stress, the fear of repeating this can trigger severe anxiety. Instead of facing potential failure or embarrassment, many men completely withdraw from physical intimacy.
High levels of work stress, financial strain, and societal pressure to provide for a family increase cortisol levels. Cortisol directly suppresses testosterone, the hormone responsible for male sexual appetite. Chronic stress forces the man's body into survival mode, which rarely prioritizes sexual intimacy. Some men experience body image issues as acutely as women, although this is discussed much less often. Weight gain, loss of muscle tone, or changes in physical stamina can make a man feel unattractive.
Men are often conditioned to suppress vulnerability, and emotional distress or a bad mood frequently manifests as physical withdrawal, which women then perceive as if they did something wrong.
A period of low sexual activity or complete absence of sex does not mean the end of the relationship; it is merely a signal that the relationship needs attention.
To begin the recovery process, it is necessary to talk about what is happening and the reasons that partners believe are behind it. Never try to solve the problem of low libido while undressed. Choose a neutral time—over coffee, during a weekend walk, or in the car (the author's personal favorite)—to calmly discuss the situation.
Use statements based on your feelings, such as: 'I miss the feeling of closeness with you,' instead of accusations like 'You never touch me.' Ask open, non-defensive questions, such as: 'How have you been feeling in your body lately?' or 'What can I do to ease your burden this week?' This is always the hardest step, but it is better to hear the unpleasant truth now and find a way to deal with it.
For several weeks, it is worth abandoning the expectation of full intercourse. Instead, focus on subtle physical contact: holding hands on the couch, longer hugs, back massages, or simply lying next to each other naked without expecting it to lead to sex.
When the pressure to perform is removed, the nervous system relaxes, allowing genuine desire to return. Discuss what both of you need to return to intimacy. You might discover that both of you simply need to turn off the TV and phones, as scrolling through feeds usually intensifies once you have to look each other in the eye.
It is important to create an action plan. When a spark of desire is needed, modern intimate products (yes, adult toys) can completely change the dynamic, relieving physical tension and introducing new sensations. If you plan to scroll through feeds, find a site, do it together, and discuss toys that bring pleasure.
Honesty about what you want to try plays a key role. Decreased sexual desire is rarely a sign that love has disappeared; more often, it is an invitation to slow down, improve communication, and rethink ways of physical and emotional connection. By removing judgment, distributing mental load, and experimenting with new sensory tools, couples can revive passionate and deep connection at any stage of life. Therapy can also help.
Keys to 18 more homes were officially handed over to local families as part of the Elsies River project in Cape Town, located in the Florida area.
This step is part of the City of Cape Town's efforts to accelerate housing construction through the Elsies River Infill Housing Project. This project covers six sites in the area and will ultimately provide housing for 724 qualified beneficiaries and their families.
The sizes of the six locations vary: the smallest site includes only nine residential units, while the largest can accommodate up to 303.
Councillor Carl Pohaim, a member of the Mayor's Committee on Human Settlements, noted that despite difficulties, including security issues that disrupted construction at some sites, they were confident that these obstacles would not prevent qualified beneficiaries from receiving their homes.
Pohaim added that thanks to additional support from city law enforcement, construction was able to resume, and positive results are now visible. He emphasized that while acknowledging the huge demand for housing in Cape Town, which cannot be solved overnight, this should not be an excuse for inaction.
He stressed the obligation to use all available resources and land effectively. By advancing current projects, the authorities aim to ensure a continuous flow of opportunities for eligible residents across the city.
Carl Pohaim also highlighted the need for fairness in housing allocation. He stated that housing opportunities should not be determined by political pressure, intimidation, or volume of voice, but should be provided to qualified residents fairly and transparently, according to the City's Housing Allocation Policy and Housing Needs Register.
He assured that the city would protect the integrity of the allocation process so that patient residents do not lose their chances due to those trying to bypass the queue. Regarding the families who received keys this week, he said it is more than just handing over a structure; it is the start of a new chapter—a secure home, greater stability, and a foundation for building a future.
Pohaim concluded by noting that although much work lies ahead, it motivates the continuation of construction and housing provision. He reported that 18 Elsies River families received homes this week, and the process is expected to continue as construction progresses.
He attended the key handover ceremony along with Ward Councillor Beverly Van Reenen and Subcouncil Chairperson Francescoe Walker.
The selection of housing recipients is made through the Housing Allocation Policy and Housing Needs Register, which guarantees fair and transparent distribution, prevents queue jumping, and complies with South African legislation.
According to the European statistics service, Eurostat, the number of asylum seekers who applied for international protection for the first time in the European Union (EU) was 42,525 in May. This figure represents a 22% reduction compared to May 2025 (which recorded 54,765) and a 2% decrease from April 2026 (with 43,360 applications).
Additionally, 8,050 subsequent applicants were counted. This number is almost identical to the 8,075 verified in May 2025, but shows a 12% decrease compared to the 9,150 registered in April 2026.
In May, Venezuelan citizens formed the largest contingent of people applying for asylum in the EU, totaling 4,465. They were followed by Afghans (3,425), Bangladeshis (2,860), and Sudanese (1,690), maintaining the same order observed in April.
Among the Member States that received the highest volume of first-time asylum applications, Italy led with 10,660 applications. Spain came in second with 7,945, followed by France with 7,180 and Germany with 5,965. Together, these four countries accounted for 75% of all asylum applications registered in the EU during May. Portugal registered only 105 applications in the same month.
Eurostat also reported that, in May, 945 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum for the first time in the EU. The majority of these minors originated from Somalia (205), Sudan (110), Afghanistan (95), Egypt (85), and Venezuela (40). Most of these children sought refuge in Germany (220), the Netherlands (195), Greece (135), France (80), and Spain (75).
Pope Leo XIV stated that when managing the migration phenomenon, the principle of the best interests of the child must be reaffirmed. This was conveyed in his message for Migrant and Refugee Day.
According to Leo XIV's view, institutions must place the protection and dignity of every child and adolescent at the center of their attention. He emphasized that this requires adopting effective legal protection tools, facilitating family reunification, and preventing the trauma of separation.
The Pope called for an urgent shift in perspective: the focus of discussions should move from merely managing migrant flows to ensuring the full and immediate observance of human rights.
These words came after a recent wave of people attempting to enter Europe through Spain, which drew serious criticism from several European countries, including Italy and Denmark.
In late July, about 72,000 people entered Ceuta within 24 hours, although, according to Spanish authorities, the majority of them (70,000) subsequently returned to Morocco. At least 82 people died while trying to reach Ceuta by sea.
Following this crisis, police control has been strengthened in both Morocco and Spain, which in recent days has established floating barriers in the sea near Ceuta and Melilla.
Despite this increased police presence, calls continue to multiply on Moroccan social media for another mass attempt to enter Ceuta and Melilla on August 15th.
The autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla are Spanish enclaves located off the coast of Morocco and represent the only land borders of the European Union with Africa.
