15 Causes of Low Libido in Men

In this post, I will outline 15 of the common cause of low libido in men.

Let’s get started…

So what is Low Libido?

Low Libido is what is called a decreased interest in sexual activity. Yes, it is common to lose interest in sex from time to time, and also it’s normal for your interest not to match your partners at times.

Low Libido causes concern and can be an indicator of sexual health condition.

Below are 15 potential causes of low libido in men.

1. Low Testosterone

Testosterone is the most important male hormone produced in the testicles….

Testosterone is responsible for stimulating sperm production. It is also responsible for building muscles and bone mass.

You are considered to have low testosterone, or low T when your level falls below 300 to 250 nomograms per deciliter.

Your testosterone levels also factor into your sex drive. When your testosterone levels decrease, your desire for sex also decreases.

Decreasing testosterone is a normal part of ageing. However, a drastic drop in testosterone can lead to decreased libido.

Talk to your doctor if you think this might be an issue or you may take supplements or gels to increase your testosterone levels.

2. Medications

Taking some medication can lower your testosterone levels, which in turn can lead to low libido. Such medication can be used to treat depression, high blood pressure and other common illness.

If you are experiencing this side effects talk to a doctor. They may advise you to switch for better medications.

3. Restless Legs Syndrome(RLS)

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is the uncontrollable urge to move your legs. This study found that men with RLS are at higher risk for developing erectile dysfunction(ED) than those without. Erectile dysfunction occurs in men when they can’t have or maintain an erection.

In the study, researchers found that men with had RLS occurrence more than five times per month were 50% more likely to get ED. Also, men who had RLS episodes more frequently were even more likely to become impotent.

4. Depression

No doubt that depression changes all parts of a person’s life. Depression and low libido go hand-in-hand. It is often the cause of a reduced sex drive but may also be the consequence of making a tough situation worse.

Low libido can be a side effect of some antidepressant. Switching drugs or reducing the dosage can sometimes help. Some couples dose after sex to minimize the potential effects.

You can also consider psychotherapy as one of the effective ways to treat depression.

5. Chronic Illness

Chronic illness can take a toll on your sex drive both emotionally and physically. When you are not feeling well due to the effects of a chronic health condition, sex will likely low on your priority list.

Conditions that cause chronic pain or fatigue like rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, cancer and chronic fatigue syndrome will lower your libido. Cancer is known to cause a reduction in sperm count.

Chronic illness is associated with the increased risk of depression, while on the other hand, it can directly interface with hormonal, neurological, or vascular functions central to the male sex drive.

Moreover, the medications used to treat most chronic illness (such as chemotherapy or cardiovascular drugs) may directly impair the male libido. Your doctor may need to explore the cause from chronic illness perspective and irrespective of the chronic illness.

If you have chronic illness talk to your partner about ways to be intimate during this time. You may also consider seeing a marriage counsellor or sex therapist about your issues.

6. Lack Of Sleep

This study found that men with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) experience lower testosterone levels. As a result, this leads to decreased sexual activity and libido. In the study, researchers found that nearly half of the men who had severe sleep apnea also experienced very low levels of testosterone during the night.

In a more recent study by The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM), they found that men with low testosterone levels also had lower sleep efficiency. The study concluded that decreased levels of total testosterone are linked with less healthy sleep, particularly in older men.

7. Ageing

Testosterone levels linked to libido are at their highest level to men when they are teenagers. According to the Mayo Clinic, men would generally notice a difference in their libido when they are 60 – 65 years of age.

When you are older it may take longer to have orgasms, ejaculate, and become aroused. Your erection may not be as hard, and it may take longer for your penis to become erect. You may consider medications to help with this regards.

8. Stress

Stress can impair sexual interest. Its effect on sex drive is more insidious. A study in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease supported the notion that stress, separate from psychological symptoms and relationship quality, has a direct effect on sexual problems.

Stress triggers the production of cortisol, a hormone that functions like a body’s built-in alarm system. Cortisol can cause the construction of blood vessels which contribute to ED and dangerously steep drop in testosterone.

Stress is also linked to insomnia and other sleep abnormalities, which can increase the risk of fatigue and leave you less interested in sex.

Treatment may involve stress management techniques and the use of positive airway pressure and improved sleep conditions. If stress is caused by an anxiety disorder, medication may be needed, some of which may enhance rather than alleviate low libido.

9. Outlook

Sometimes treating low libido depends on treating the underlying issue. You may need to switch your medications. If your low libido has a psychological cause, you may need to visit a therapist for relationship counselling.

You can also take steps to boost your libido on your own. You can consider the following to increase your libido:

• Living a healthier lifestyle
• Getting enough sleep
• Practising stress management
• Eating a healthier diet

10. Lifestyle

Low libido can be affected by some lifestyle choices in men. These tend to be more readily remedied by simply changing some behaviour.

Among men smoking not only directly increase the risk of ED but indirectly impairs sexual arousal by a study done in 2012 by the University of Texas Austin.

Alcohol when taken in excess or over the course of years, redirects enzymes needed to synthesize testosterone from the testes to the liver, resulting in reduced testosterone levels.

Obesity is one of the factors that can affect your libido. It directly impairs metabolism and hormone function, resulting in significantly reduced total free testosterone. By contrast, exercise and weight loss not only enhances mood and energy levels, it improves sexual functions and self-image.

While the lifestyle behaviour effects are clear, it is never wise to “pin ” low libido on single lifestyle factor without conferring with your doctor to all other possible causes out there.

11. Low Sel-Esteem

It hard to feel sexy when your self-confidence is down or when you have an unhealthy body image.

Someone who feels unattractive is less likely to want to engage in sex, and also fear of rejection sometime may also come to play.

Being happy with yourself is an important first step. A supportive partner always helps.

12. Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse. Its also sometimes referred to as impotence.

Low libido is a common side effect of ED.

Once most men experience ED, he may get anxious and shaken. Confidence gets shaken and might be afraid it will happen again.

14. Partner

Sexual desire requires two to tangle. Both partners need to feel connected and women especially need the feeling of being close.

Poor communications, a sense of betrayal, lack of trust, and repeated fighting and criticism may create a relationship that lacks closeness and intimacy. Counselling may be the answer if a couple cannot resolve the issues on their own.

15. Lack of Time

Lack of time can also contribute to low libido in men. Have you ever been too busy for sex? The hectic schedules of daily life can put your sex life on the backburner.

Most people assume there will be time for sex and at the end of the day when there is nothing else going on.

Unless you make time for each other and for intimacy, it may not happen. Eventually, lack of sex can lead to low libido.

 

Comment below and let us know what you think might other cause of low libido in men.