It’s not uncommon to not have an interest in sex once in a while. However, having long periods of low sex drive shows there is an underlying problem that needs to be resolved. Some of the most common problems that cause low libido are stress or depression, substance abuse, low testosterone, lack of good sleep and more.
In this article, we dive deeper to look at some of the common causes
But first.
What is a low sex drive?
Low libido or low sex drive is having little to no interest in any sexual activity.
There are many ups and downs in life that make it automatic that every human will have decreased sex drive also, there are days when you and your partner’s interests will not be the same. Which is ok.
But then, you know there is a problem when you have continuous low libido for a long period of time. In a recent conversation with a sexologist, the Ginsomin team got to learn that marriage is said to be sexless if the couple gets intimate less than 15 times in a year.
Below are some of the causes of low sex drive in men.
13 Common Low Sex Drive Causes
Low testosterone
Testosterone is a vital hormone in men produced primarily in the testicles. Testosterone is in charge of increasing bone density, muscle mass, and sperm production. Your sex drive is influenced by your testosterone levels as well.
Normal testosterone levels can differ. However, according to recommendations from the American Urological Association (AUA), adult males are said to have low testosterone or low T, when their levels drop below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). Your desire for sex falls as your testosterone levels do.
Age-related testosterone decline is a typical aspect of ageing. However, a sharp decline in testosterone might cause a reduction in libido. If you think this might be a problem for you, speak with your doctor. To raise your testosterone levels, you might be able to use supplements or gels.
Medications
Reduced libido may result from taking some drugs that lower testosterone levels.
For instance, ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers, which are used to treat high blood pressure, may suppress ejaculation and erections.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer, medicines used to treat prostate cancer, and other drugs can all suppress testosterone levels.
Corticosteroids, opioid painkillers such as oxycodone (Percocet, OxyContin), morphine (MorphaBond), and ketoconazole, an antifungal drug might cause low libido. Also, Cimetidine(Tagamet) used to treat heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Anabolic steroids, which sportsmen may use to gain muscular bulk, and specific antidepressants are also prone to causing low libido.
Consult your doctor if you’re feeling the effects of low testosterone. They might suggest that you change your medication.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
The incessant urge to move your legs is known as restless legs syndrome (RLS).
Those with RLS are more likely than those without RLS to experience erectile dysfunction (ED), according to research.
When a guy cannot achieve or maintain an erection, ED sets in. According to the study, men who experienced RLS at least five times per month had a 50% greater chance of developing ED than men who did not have RLS.
Additionally, males who experienced RLS episodes more frequently had a higher risk of developing impotence.
Depression
A person’s life is altered by depression in every way.
People who are depressed report having little to no interest in once-pleasurable activities, including sex.
Some antidepressants, such as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft), can also cause low libido.
On the other hand, norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NRDI) bupropion, which is found in the medications Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL, hasn’t been demonstrated to lessen libido.
If you take antidepressants and have a reduced libido, talk to your doctor. By changing your medicine or your dose, they may be able to reduce your negative effects.
Chronic illness
Sex is probably low on your list of priorities when you’re not feeling well due to the symptoms of a chronic health condition, such as chronic pain.
Additionally, certain diseases like cancer might lower the number of sperm you produce.
The following chronic conditions can affect your libido:
- Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Elevated cholesterol etc
Ask your partner for advice on how to be intimate when you’re dealing with a chronic disease. You can also consider discussing your difficulties with a marriage counsellor or sex therapist.
Sleep problems
According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, nonobese males with OSA have reduced testosterone levels. As a result, libido and sexual desire are reduced.
Researchers discovered that roughly one-third of the males in the study who had severe sleep apnea also had low testosterone levels.
Another recent study found that limiting sleep duration to five hours per night for a week reduced testosterone levels in young, healthy males by 10 to 15%.
The effects of sleep deprivation on testosterone levels, according to the study, were most pronounced between 2:00 pm and 10:00 pm the following day.
Ageing
Men reach their peak testosterone levels in their late teens, which are related to libido.
It could take longer to ejaculate, experience orgasms, and feel aroused as you age.
Your erections could not be as strong, and your penis might take longer to erect. But there are drugs out there that can help treat these problems.
Stress
Sexual desire may diminish if you’re preoccupied with events or stressful times.
This is due to the fact that stress can alter your hormone levels. Stress can cause your arteries to constrict. This constriction limits blood flow and could result in ED.
According to a study that was published in Scientific Research and Essays, stress directly contributes to both men’s and women’s sexual issues.
Another research on veterans with PTSD discovered that the stress disorder more than tripled their likelihood of experiencing sexual dysfunction.
It’s difficult to avoid stress. Relationship issues, divorce, coping with a loved one’s death, financial difficulties, the birth of a child, or a busy work environment are just a few examples of life events that can have a significant impact on the desire for sex.
Techniques for reducing stress, like breathing exercises, meditation, and counselling, may be beneficial. One study, for instance, found that an 8-week stress management programme significantly improved the erectile function scores of men who had just received an ED diagnosis.
Low self-esteem
The general perception one has of oneself is referred to as self-esteem.
Your emotional health and well-being can be negatively impacted by low self-esteem, lack of confidence, and a negative body image.
Sexual experiences will probably be less enjoyable if you believe that you are unpleasant or unattractive.
It’s possible to want to completely avoid having sex if you don’t like what you see in the mirror.
In addition to causing concern about sexual performance, low self-esteem can also create ED problems and a decrease in sexual desire.
Self-esteem difficulties can eventually lead to more serious mental health concerns like depression, anxiety, and substance addiction, all of which have been associated with reduced libido.
Too little (or too much) exercise
Low sex drive in males can also be brought on by inadequate or excessive exercise. Getting too little (or no) exercise can result in a number of health issues that might influence arousal and sexual desire.
Regular exercise may lower your risk of developing chronic diseases including obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes, all of which are linked to decreased libido.
Exercise can assist enhance sex desire because it is known to lower cortisol levels at night and lessen stress.
On the flip side, excessive exercise has been linked to a decline in sexual health. One study found a clear correlation between lower libido scores in men and greater levels of chronic, long-term, intensive endurance exercise.
Alcohol
It has also been established that heavy alcohol consumption, or consuming more than 14 mixed drinks each week, lowers testosterone production.
Overindulging in alcohol can eventually make you less sexually motivated. The Cleveland Clinic advises males who routinely consume three or more alcoholic beverages to think about cutting back.
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, a typical adult male should consume no more than two alcoholic beverages each day; doing so can harm their long-term health.
Drug use
In addition to alcohol, testosterone production has also been linked to the usage of tobacco, marijuana, and illegal narcotics like opioids.
This may lead to a loss of sexual arousal. Smoking has been discovered to have a detrimental effect on sperm motility and production.
Physical and emotional side effects of low libido
For men, a decreased sex drive can be extremely distressing.
A lack of libido can cause a variety of negative psychological and physical impacts, including ED, which is the inability to keep an erection for long enough to have satisfying sex.
Anxiety over sex might be brought on by ED in men. This can cause tension and disagreements between him and his partner, which might then result in fewer sex acts and greater relationship problems.
Inability to perform because of ED can lead to sadness, problems with self-esteem, and negative body perception.
Outlook
Treatment of the underlying problem is frequently necessary to treat low libido. You might need to change drugs if your low libido is due to a medical problem.
If psychological issues are the root of your low libido, relationship counselling with a therapist may be necessary.
You can also take action on your own to increase your libido.
Your libido may rise as a result of you adopting a healthy way of life, getting enough sleep, stress reduction, eating a more wholesome diet and taking the right supplements.
