Libido

In Freud’s theory, libido is defined as the life energy and is associated with sexuality. It is regarded as the tendency to direct desire toward any object or stimulus that produces sexual pleasure. Libido encompasses not only sexual intercourse but also love, compassion, closeness like, and many other emotional experiences. In psychoanalytic theory, libido forms the foundation of psychodynamic processes and is one of the internal drives underlying human behavior. Libido is often used synonymously with sexuality, but in Freud’s definition, it is a more comprehensive dynamic.

Freud’s Theory of Libido and Its Role as an Instinctual Force

Libido is directly linked to Freud’s life instinct, “eros.” This energy is the source of the individual’s drives toward survival, reproduction, and pleasure. According to Freud, libido concentrates in different bodily regions during various stages of life, shaping the individual’s development. Libido operates not only through conscious processes but also through the unconscious interaction. In the psychoanalytic model, libido functions as a dynamic power between the three fundamental components of the psyche: the id, ego, and superego.

Orientation of Libido in Psychosexual Developmental Stages

According to Freud’s theory of psychosexual development, libido shifts its focus to different bodily regions throughout development:

• Oral stage: The mouth is the primary source of pleasure (0–1 year).
• Anal stage: The area around the anus becomes the focus of pleasure (1–3 years).
• Phallic stage: Genital organs are discovered; the Oedipus complex emerges (3–6 years).
• Latency stage: Libido is suppressed and its energy is redirected toward social activities (6–12 years).
• Genital stage: Sexual drives become active again; heterosexual relationships develop (after puberty).

These orientations play a role in the formation of personality structure. Fixations and pressing may create a foundation for psychological disorders.

Repression of Libido and Its Psychological Consequences

Societal moral and cultural norms can activate repression mechanisms that push libidinal energy into the unconscious. According to Freud, repressed libido finds expression in various forms: Neurosis, psychosomatic symptoms, dreams, and slips of the tongue. This repression creates internal conflict and may lead to psychological imbalance road.

Libidinal Energy and the Mechanism of Sublimation

When libidinal impulses cannot be satisfied through socially accepted channels, they are redirected through sublimation. For example, artistic, intellectual, or religious pursuits represent healthy transformations of libidinal energy. Freud describes this process as an essential component of healthy individual development.

Libido in Women and Social Pressure

Female sexuality has historically been suppressed by various cultural and religious norms. Social building has sought to suppress women’s sexual desires, silence them, and often deny their existence. This situation can lead to outcomes such as sexual aversion, feelings of guilt, and identity conflicts in women. Libido is a natural drive present in women as well, and its repression poses significant risks to mental health.

Changes in Libido During Menopause

Menopause causes physiological and psychological changes in women’s libido due to hormonal shifts. Reduced production of estrogen and androgen leads to conditions such as vaginal dryness, painful intercourse (dyspareunia), and loss of sexual desire. Additionally, factors such as relationship quality, body perception, and aging perception also influence libidinal energy. The decline in libido is not merely biological but results from the interplay of cultural and individual factors.

Assessment of Libido in Sexual Health Services

Healthcare professionals working in obstetric nursing must be able to evaluate changes in libido from both physiological and psychosocial perspectives. A woman’s sexual health must be addressed holistically, encompassing emotional, cultural, and relational dimensions. In particular, assessing libidinal changes during menopause is an integral part of comprehensive healthcare.