13 Common Reasons For Low Sex Drive In Men
13 Causes of Low Sex Drive in Men (And How to Treat It)
What Causes Low Sex Drive in Men?
Low sex drive in men may be caused by low testosterone, stress, depression, chronic illness, or lifestyle factors. Treatment options include lifestyle changes, therapy, or testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
The desire for sex, also known as libido, changes throughout a person's life. Sometimes, this change can be due to a minor issue, such as a lack of sleep, while at other times, it can be caused by a more severe problem, like a hormone imbalance. Whatever the reason, fixing it can help a man get his sex drive back.
In this article, we will discuss common causes of low sex drive. But first, let's understand what a low sex drive is.
What Is Low Libido in Men?
A low sex drive means having little to no interest in sex or any sexual activity. It usually decreases with age, but can affect men of all ages.
Not being interested in sex for a short time is normal and may not be a big deal. However, if it lasts a long time and affects your relationship, you should see a doctor because it could be due to a severe health problem.
Sometimes, men confuse low libido with erectile dysfunction (ED), which is the inability to get and keep an erection. While both can co-occur, they represent distinct issues.
13 Common Causes of Low Sex Drive in Men
Low sex drive can be caused by one factor or a mix of different factors. Here are some common causes:
Stress
Stress is a significant health issue. According to the American Institute of Stress, 33% of people feel extreme stress, and 77% believe it affects their physical health. When stressed, your body releases cortisol, your heartbeat increases, arteries narrow, and blood flow is restricted. These changes can lower your sexual desire and possibly cause ED.
Depression
Depression affects your physical, social, and sexual life. It can make you lose interest in things you once enjoyed, including sex. Depression changes your body's chemistry, reducing your sex drive. Antidepressants can also cause low libido. Focus on treating your depression first, talk to your partner about your mental health, and discuss medication side effects with your doctor.
Chronic Illness
Severe illnesses like obesity, type 2 diabetes, kidney failure, and cancer can reduce sex hormone production, lowering your sex drive. These illnesses can also cause depression, and medications for them might have side effects that affect libido.
Low Testosterone
Testosterone is crucial for male physical traits, muscle mass, and bone strength. Its levels peak in the late teens and early twenties and decline after 30. Low testosterone (below 300 ng/dL) can reduce sex drive. Younger men can have low testosterone due to medical conditions like head injuries or testicular cancer. Restoring testosterone levels can improve libido.
Sleep Issues
Lack of sleep can lower sex drive. Sleep deprivation increases cortisol, which reduces testosterone levels. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can also cause low testosterone, affecting libido.
Ageing
Testosterone levels drop by 1% every year after age 30, naturally reducing sex drive and causing erection problems.
Smoking
Long-term smoking can harm your sexual health by causing stress, damaging blood flow to the genitals, and reducing genital response, leading to low sex drive and ED.
Alcohol
Excessive alcohol can damage your mental, physical, and sexual health. It impairs the nervous system, making it hard to feel sexually attracted or maintain an erection.
Drugs
Certain drugs, like marijuana, can reduce sex drive by affecting hormone production.
Relationship Problems
Fighting and unresolved issues can make couples feel distant, reducing intimacy. Communication is vital; talk with your partner when calm, or consider seeing a relationship counsellor.
Bad Sexual Experiences
Negative sexual experiences can make men avoid sex, lowering their sex drive. If your partner is critical, you might lose interest in sex, which can affect your self-confidence and mental health.
Medications
Some medications, like anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and statins, can lower libido. Adjusting the dose or changing the medication can help.
Lack Of Self-Confidence
Men who feel unattractive or fear rejection may avoid sex, gradually losing interest in it.
13 Common Causes of Low Libido in Me
|
Cause |
How It Affects Libido |
|---|---|
|
Stress |
Increases cortisol, restricts blood flow and lowers arousal |
|
Depression |
Lowers mood, reduces interest in sex, and may worsen with meds |
|
Chronic illness |
Disrupts hormone balance, causes fatigue and reduced desire |
|
Low testosterone |
Directly decreases sexual drive and arousal |
|
Sleep issues |
Lowers testosterone and raises stress hormones |
|
Ageing |
Natural decline in testosterone after 30 |
|
Smoking |
Damages blood vessels and lowers genital sensitivity |
|
Alcohol |
Impairs nerve response and libido |
|
Drug use |
Disrupts hormone production |
|
Relationship problems |
Reduces intimacy and emotional connection |
|
Bad sexual experiences |
Causes avoidance and lowers confidence |
|
Medications |
Certain drugs lower libido as a side effect |
|
Low self-confidence |
Impacts body image and fear of rejection |
How To Treat Low Sex Drive?
Low sex drive is a treatable problem, and the treatment can vary from person to person. If you find that you are not interested in sexual activities and it is affecting your relationship, you should see a doctor. The doctor will likely run some tests to discover the underlying issue and suggest a solution.
Here are three ways to help improve your low sex drive:
Improving Your Lifestyle
Poor lifestyle habits can quickly reduce your sex drive. These habits include smoking, drinking, and not getting enough sleep. You should replace these habits with healthier ones, such as:
- Exercise regularly
- Lose extra weight and maintain a healthy weight
- Sleep at least 8 hours per night
- Eat a balanced diet
- Practice stress management exercises
- Maintain a work-life balance
- Stop drinking alcohol or drink in moderation
- Quit smoking and avoid drug use
Getting Behavioural Therapy
Talk to a behavioural therapist about your problem to find an effective solution. The therapist will help you identify the emotional causes of your low sex drive and give you practical tips to improve it.
Getting Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
If low testosterone is causing your low sex drive, TRT might help. This hormone therapy boosts your testosterone levels if your body isn't making enough.
TRT comes in different forms, like injections, gels, creams, and skin patches.
Before starting TRT, your doctor will check your testosterone levels with blood tests and perform a few other tests to see if this treatment is proper for you. They will then prescribe the correct testosterone dose based on your test results.
FAQs About Low Sex Drive in Men
What is the main cause of low sex drive in men?
Low testosterone is a leading cause, but stress, depression, and medications are also common triggers.
Is low libido the same as erectile dysfunction?
No. Low libido is lack of sexual desire, while ED is difficulty getting or maintaining an erection. They can occur together but are different issues.
Can testosterone therapy improve low sex drive?
Yes. TRT may help if low testosterone is confirmed to be the underlying cause of your reduced libido.
Does age naturally lower libido in men?
Yes. Testosterone levels drop about 1% per year after age 30, leading to gradual reductions in sex drive.
How long does TRT take to improve libido?
Most men notice improvements in libido and energy within 4–6 weeks of starting TRT.
Are there natural ways to boost sex drive?
Yes. Better sleep, regular exercise, reducing alcohol, and managing stress can naturally improve libido.
Final Thoughts: Restoring Your Sex Drive
A man can have a low sex drive for many reasons, like poor lifestyle habits, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and low testosterone. If low sex drive isn't affecting your relationship, it might not be a big deal. If you need help with testosterone replacement therapy, we can assist you. Contact us for expert guidance and personalised treatment options.
