Sexual intimacy is important in a relationship. Most of the time, it is one of the driving forces between feeling close with your partner or distant. However, sexual intimacy isn’t always easily achieved. Both men and women can face low sex drives, although, in society, it is more commonly associated with men.
When someone is dealing with a low sex drive, it can lead to tension in the relationship and sometimes will even cause arguments. Especially for men, it can also cause a lot of self-doubt and guilt. While dealing with a low sex drive is very challenging, the good news is, it is usually treatable as long as the root cause of it is discovered. Before we go over how to treat low libido, let’s go over some of the main causes of low libido in men.
What Causes Low Libido In Men?
Low Testosterone
This is one of the most common reasons for low libido. Testosterone plays a crucial role in sex, in terms of physical appearance and drive. This hormone is responsible for characteristics that define a male, such as body muscle and facial hair. It is also the hormone responsible for maintaining a man’s sex drive and the production of sperm.
As men age, testosterone levels will naturally decrease. However, even though lower levels are more commonly associated with those who are older, younger men can experience this as well.
Causes Of Low Testosterone
- Aging
- High Blood Pressure
- Diabetes (Type 2)
- Heart disease
It’s also important to note that low testosterone usually does not cause erectile dysfunction, which is something different than a low sex drive.
Depression
Many are surprised to hear that mental health disorders, such as depression, can cause a low sex drive. In addition to interfering with other areas of life, a low sex drive can also cause depression. Leading to a vicious cycle. Furthering this problem is that antidepressants, while effective at treating mood disorders, can worsen a low sex drive.
Stress
When we become stressed or anxious, it triggers a stress hormone called cortisol. You can think of cortisol as an alarm system for the body – letting it know that something is wrong. High levels of cortisol, in addition to contributing to anxiety, can also have an effect on sex drive.
Higher levels of cortisol in the body can constrict blood vessels, which can then lead to ED and also causes testosterone levels to drop. Having a lot of stress in your life can also cause sleep issues such as insomnia. And, like anything else, a lack of sleep can cause a loss of interest in hobbies and activities, including sex.
Other Factors To Consider
There are some other factors that can cause a low libido in men. These can include
- Alcohol or drug use
- Not enough or too much exercise
- Obesity
- Smoking
Ways To Improve Your Libido
Once you have ruled out or possibly found what could be causing low libido, it’s time to talk about how to increase your sex drive.
If you believe that this problem is being caused by a hormonal issue or mood disorder, it’s important to talk to your family doctor or a therapist about what is causing your low sex drive. Some other ways to improve a low sex drive can include:
- Becoming physically active, but not overdoing it
- Eating a nutritious diet
- Aiming to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night
If you are struggling to achieve any of those things, it’s important to seek help from a doctor or a licensed therapist. While a therapist cannot prescribe medications, we can help with mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Which can effectively reduce stress levels and improve the quality of sleep. Reach out to me for help with men’s counseling or relationship issues today.
