Lack of sexual desire, failure to maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction or ED), low sperm count, and decreased sexual satisfaction is also linked to a low sex drive in men. Low libido can disrupt a male’s quality of life not only physically, but also physiologically in many cases.
Reduced libido in men can certainly be a cause for concern. There are several factors that come into play that impact the male libido. While mental factors, such as mood, and lifestyle factors, such as increased stress levels or insomnia, can hinder a man’s sexual desire, low testosterone levels are often the culprit.
One of the most common causes of low libido in aging males is andropause. Andropause, or male menopause, results from low testosterone production in men as a result of the aging process. This causes a marked reduction in male libido, resulting in a host of problems for men that wish to have a fulfilling sex life, regardless of age.
There are various treatments to increase male libido, although this is highly dependent on the underlying reason that a man is experiencing a lack of interest in sexual activities.
Testosterone is a sex hormone that starts production when a male reaches puberty. When men become older, the pituitary gland, which regulates the production of important hormones such as testosterone, may fail to work as effectively as it did in a man’s younger years.
In some cases, low testosterone levels in men may also be caused by taking certain medications. For example, prostate cancer medication is known to lower testosterone levels. Blood pressure medication such as beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors may also be responsible. Chemotherapy or radiation treatments can also induce low testosterone. Lifestyle factors such as a poor diet, a stressful job or home life, lack of sleep, being overweight, and alcohol and drug use are also known to curb male libido.
Certain health conditions such as testicular cancer as well as surgical removal of the testes are also linked to low testosterone production in men. Obesity, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and prolonged lung, kidney, heart, and liver disease are also related to low male sex drive.
A man’s sexual desire fluctuates throughout life. Men tend to have the strongest sexual desire upon reaching puberty, continuing throughout their adult years and into a man’s 20s. As testosterone production levels off as a man reaches young adulthood, healthy males are frequently capable of enjoying an active sex life marked by the ability to reach orgasm, ease of becoming aroused and sustaining an erection.
In a man’s older years, it may take longer to reach climax during sexual activities. There may also be a lack of ejaculation and an inability to become erect or sustain an erection. Depression and anxiety may develop, along with heightened discomfort in the anticipation of sexual opportunities that may arise.
Low libido can leave a man feeling stressed out or less manly than he would like. This fuels a low libido further by making sex a stressful event rather than an enjoyable one. Men with low libido have less interest in sexual activities, whether they are alone or with a partner.
Unlike most medical conditions, there is no test for low libido in men. Hypoactive sexual desire (HSDD) is usually self-reported when a man notices prolonged periods when they feel disinterested in sex. Men that notice a low libido can benefit from a doctor’s visit, as low libido can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition.
Certain related medical conditions such as high cholesterol, obesity, and type 2 diabetes can be treated once a man is aware of the problem. Correcting these medical issues can improve male libido in some patients.
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