Doctor reveals three signs daylight savings is affecting your sex drive

A doctor has laid out the three signs that this time of year could be having an impact on your sex life.

Although it might seem like nothing but a bit of an inconvenience, the clocks changing can actually affect you in more ways than you'd expect.

Just a few weeks ago, on Sunday 26 October, us Brits had our second change of the year, with the clocks going back a whole hour once they struck 2am.

People enjoying a Saturday night out drinking got an extra hour to party, meanwhile, others were grateful for another sixty minutes of snoozing time on the Sunday morning - personally, I was in the latter.

This time of year is always a divisive topic, with some people thriving cosied up at home and others struggling with the cold weather and lack of plans.

However, one unexpected thing that doctors have pointed out, is that with the weather cooling and daylight hours shrinking, it seems that less people are inclined to get hot and heavy under the covers.

These are the key signs that the colder weather is affecting your sex drive (Getty Stock Image)

You might think it would have the opposite effect, considering most people are less busy and more likely to be at home without a lot to do.

But if you are struggling with your sex drive, not to worry, it's more common than you'd think - a lot of us experience lower energy levels at this time of year, which naturally has an impact on our sex lives.

Dr. Mindy DeSeta, PhD, sexologist at Hily Dating App, told Vice the three key signs to look out for that your libido decrease is probably down to the weather.

The first one is that your overall energy levels are low as this, of course, means it's not a problem that's just about sex and nothing to do with a lack of attraction to your partner.

The expert said: “If you are currently in the blissful honeymoon stage of a new relationship, yet you are feeling more tired, less motivated, and far less interested in intimacy, blame it on the weather. It’s biology, not personal."

Less daylight can also lower the Vitamin D production in your body and therefore affect the hormones that play a part in your sex life, such as testosterone, serotonin, and melatonin.

The second sign that it's nothing personal is if you don't feel sexy but you still crave closeness with your partner.

DeSeta explained: “It is safe to say that what you wear has a major impact on how sexy you feel. Cold weather clothing typically means bulky sweaters, multiple layers, oversized coats, and definitely socks. When you’re constantly covered up, you lose touch with your body and its sensuality."

She added: "Cuffing season draws many people to seek warmth and companionship rather than passionate new flings."

It could be nothing to do with your relationship and everything to do with the season (Getty Stock Image)

Essentially, you may not 'feel sexy' and want to rip your partner's clothes off, but if you still want to give them a cuddle there's nothing to worry about.

Finally, if you're less active in the winter, you're more likely to have decreased libido.

This is because exercise 'increases blood flow, boosts endorphins, and supports healthy hormone levels' which are all important factors that contribute to a healthy sex drive.

"When you’re cooped up inside, your circulation slows, your energy drops, and your body becomes less responsive to arousal cues and desire in general," the expert explains.

If you do find yourself affected by this, a doctor has outlined what you can do to help.

Dr Babak Ashrafi, a GP at Superdrug Online Doctor told HuffPost that if you're struggling with something like SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), you could benefit from more outdoor exposure to sunlight, even if it’s just a 10-minute walk in the morning before work.

“Vitamin D plays a crucial role in regulating the production of various hormones, including sex hormones like testosterone," he explained.

If SAD is affecting your day to day though, the doctor's advice is to seek therapy.

If you're experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is there to support you. They're open from 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year. Their national number is 0800 58 58 58 and they also have a webchat service if you're not comfortable talking on the phone.