Low sex drive or low libido in men is a decreased interest in sexual activity. The libido levels in human beings vary from time to time based on different factors. Actually, it is completely normal to lose interest in sex sometimes. It is also possible that a couple can have different sex drives. Just because your partner’s sex drive doesn’t match yours, it does not necessarily indicate a problem on your part.
However, having low sex drive over a prolonged period of time should be a source of concern.
What Causes Low Sex Drive in Men?
Low Testosterone Levels
The testosterone is a very important male hormone. It is produced in the testicles and is responsible for the building of muscles, sperm production as well as building bone mass in men. This hormone also plays a huge role when it comes to sex drive.
According to sexual health, a man is considered to have low sex drive if their testosterone levels fall below 300ng/Dl (nanograms per decilitre). Once the hormone levels decreases, your desire for sex also goes down.
What to do: It is advisable to talk to your doctor to ascertain that low levels of testosterone are the cause of your low sex drive. If this is the cause, hormone balancing meds can be prescribed.
Stress
The human body responds very negatively to stress. One of the areas that can be greatly affected is your sexual life. Emotional stress greatly affects the physical functions of the body, which include desire for sex.
What to do: The first step of treatment is to understand the cause of the stress and find ways to deal with it. While self help sometimes works, in extreme cases, it is advisable to seek the services of a psychologist.
Depression
When you fall into depression, it affects a lot of areas in your life. Men who are depressed experience reduced or complete lack of interest in sex. Also, if you are under antidepressants, some of the meds can cause low sex drive in men. The most depressions meds that cause low libido are SSRIs (Serotonin reuptake inhibitors). It is advisable to speak to your doctors as they can switch the meds or adjust the dosages to reduce on the side effects.
Some Type of Medications
There are certain types of medications that can greatly lower the testosterone levels in men. For instance, ACE inhibitors as well as beta blockers are hypertension drugs that are known to prevent ejaculation and also cause issues with erection.
What to do: If these meds cause you to have low sex drive, it is best to speak to your doctor. They may change the meds to something with not too severe side effects.
RLS (Restless Legs Syndrome)
RLS is a medical condition where the victim moves their legs uncontrollably. According to a study, men who suffer from this condition run a risk of developing erectile dysfunction. Severe case of RLS can sometimes lead to impotence.
It is best to talk to your doctor about it in the early stages to prevent permanent damage.
Chronic Health Issues
If a man has been suffering from a chronic condition, low libido can be one of the side effects. Some illnesses like cancer can lead to low sperm production. It is advisable to speak to your doctor with your partner on this issue to better understand it.
Disconnect from Your Partner
If you are in a relationship and rule out all the other causes of low libido, it might be because you're no longer sexually attracted to your partner. If you are in a relationship that lacks closeness, intimacy might be a problem, which causes low sex drive in men. Counselling can help to heal the relationship and hopefully restore the sexual attraction.
Too much Alcohol Intake
While it feels good to indulge in alcohol, it can often lead to low sex drive. Alcohol affects ones sexual performance and interest. If you have a drinking problem, it is advisable to seek help as it may be the cause of low sex drive.
Sleeplessness
According to studies, men who suffer from OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) have low testosterone levels. This causes a decrease in sexual desire. This is especially common in older men.
Age
When a man enters their teenage years, the testosterone levels start to build up. The levels are at their highest during the late teens. As men age, the testosterone levels also decrease. At the age of 60 men will notice a significant decrease in their testosterone levels. As men grow older, it becomes harder to get erections, ejaculate or experience orgasms. However, there are medications that can help with this.
Low Self Esteem
How we feel about ourselves goes a long way in determine how we will feel with other people. If you have low self-esteem, it can affect you psychologically. Low self esteem is usually a sign of a psychological problem. It is advisable to see a specialist for it. You can also start taking up activities that will make you feel much better about yourself such as exercising and learning to appreciate yourself.
How to Reverse Low Sex Drive in Men
If you notice a decrease in sex drive, it is advisable to seek medical help from your doctor. The doctor might take blood samples for testing.
You can seek the services of a therapist if you feel that your low libido is as a result of psychological issues.
There are hormone balancing medicines that can be prescribed to increase the production of the male hormone.
There are also drugs available for treating erectile dysfunction, but have no effect on your desire for sex.
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