Men’s sex drives are stronger and more straightforward than women’s sex drives. Even as they age, men continue to fantasize about sex twice more often.
In medical terms, libido refers to sexual desire or sex drive. Libido varies with each person, preference, and circumstance. Many couples go through the honeymoon stage where they have more sex initially which decreases over time. Some of the symptoms of low libido include:
- Decreased sexual desire
- Uninterested in masturbation
- Lesser or no sexual fantasies
- Worrying or stressing over lost sexual desire
When worry clouds your mind over your or your partner’s sex drive, first find out what may be causing the problem or if it is a problem, or if life is just busier these days. Here are some possible causes why sex drive is low for men:
- Aging
Libido tends to drop as men age. The late teen years have the highest libido due to higher testosterone levels. With age, erections become difficult. It can also take men longer to become aroused, have an orgasm, or ejaculate.
- Performance Anxiety
What starts as worrying about whether or not you are satisfying your partner can become a cycle called sexual performance anxiety. Further issues related to sexual anxiety include pain during sex, avoiding sex due to bad experiences, ejaculation, and erection issues. Those with low self-esteem and negative body image are more likely to avoid sexual encounters due to performance anxiety.
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- Relationship Problems
Conflicts, pressure, and expectations in the relationship can affect sex life, too. Counseling can help couples resolve any underlying issue creating tension during sex. Sex therapists may also help improve intimacy sans sex while teaching different sexual techniques, communication skills, and strategies to boost libido.
- Medications
Several drugs may quash sex drive. For instance, those with an enlarged prostate may be taking Proscar, which may also affect testosterone and libido. Anti-seizure medications may also mess with your nerve impulses making you feel less or not stimulated by sensual activities you used to enjoy.
Other drugs that may affect your libido include prescribed medications for anemia, hypothyroidism, and kidney failure. Even antihistamines, antifungal medications, and blood pressure drugs may be negatively affecting your libido.
- Hormonal Problems
As women menopause, testosterone production also decreases as men age. Now, this essential hormone is vital in stimulating sperm production. It is essentially the hormone for sexual desire. A low testosterone level is around 300 ng/dL. It is wise to get tested if you notice any of the signs of testosterone levels dropping, such as:
- Difficulty getting hard
- Difficulty sustaining an erection
- Hair loss
- Increased body fat
- Less bone and muscle mass
- Low semen volume
Other hormones affect libido when it drops. These include thyroid hormone and dopamine. However, a high level of hormones like prolactin is also harmful to your libido. Still, there are treatments for hormonal problems causing libido issues. These include testosterone supplements, weekly testosterone shots, testosterone gel, skin patches, and dopamine-increasing drugs.
- Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
Men diagnosed with RLS have a higher prevalence of developing erectile dysfunction (ED). Such risk is even greater for men who have more episodes of RLS. They were also more at risk of impotence.
- Health Conditions
Sex won’t be foremost in your mind when you are sick. When experiencing pain over chronic health problems or surgery, you may have a reduced desire for sex. Several chronic illnesses can affect libido, including heart problems, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, liver and kidney problems, hypothyroidism, and Type 2 diabetes.
Moreover, obesity can also affect libido. Aside from body image and self-esteem issues due to weight, going beyond your recommended BPI can lead to circulation issues that can affect the blood flow needed for an erection.
- Exercise Issues
As exercise is vital to maintain a healthy sex drive, too much exercise may decrease libido. On the other hand, not getting enough exercise can increase your risk for chronic illnesses associated with low libido. Meanwhile, moderate exercise can help boost sex drive.
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- Fatigue and Stress
It could be that men are too tired for sex–physically and mentally. When overwhelmed with stress, it can be difficult to focus on erection, orgasm, or even a desire for sex. High cortisol levels due to stress can also reduce testosterone production. Hence, a decreased interest in having sex. It is wise to manage stress and energy levels to boost libido levels.
- Sleep Problems
The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine published a study revealing how issues with sleep like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can result in lower testosterone and libido. Nearly 1 in 3 men with severe sleep apnea have low testosterone levels.
In addition, lack of sleep can also reduce libido. Even with young, healthy men, sleeping for 5 hours every night had decreased testosterone by as much as 15%.
- Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drug Use
Men can suffer from lower sperm count, decreased testosterone level, and an overall reduced sex drive when they engage in habitual drinking, smoking, and drug use. Heavy alcohol consumption, opioids, marijuana, tobacco, and other illicit drugs may affect sperm movement and sperm production.
- Depression
Mental health issues like depression can be a major libido killer. Depression can affect concentration, trouble sleeping, low mood, and a general loss of interest or pleasure not just in sex but in other activities.
Moreover, those using antidepressants can find their performance in bed affected, too. Serotonin-boosting drugs like Prozac and Zoloft help improve mood but lower libido. Consult with your doctor about switching to medications that won’t have side effects on your sex life.
Before You Go
Your healthcare provider may help pinpoint the underlying causes of lower sex drive. Whether the problem is physical or psychological, there are treatments to help boost libido. Note that there may be more than one cause for lower libido. So, you may need to try several things to have a better sex life.
