Table of contents:
- Signs of low libido in men
- Causes of low libido in men
- 1. Low testosterone
- 2. Medicines
- 3. Depression
- 4. Chronic disease
- 5. Sleep problems
- 6. Aging
- 7. Stress
- 8. Relationships are too intimate
Low libido in men is a condition of decreased desire for sexual activity. It's natural to lose your sex drive from time to time, as libido levels do change as you go through life. However, low libido in men for a long period of time can be cause for concern. Sometimes low libido can also be an indicator of an underlying health condition.
Signs of low libido in men
The loss of sex drive usually does not happen suddenly, it will appear gradually. Although it is difficult to measure it, Edward Laumann, a sociology lecturer at the University of Chicago who is also a co-author of a book entitled The Social Organization of Sexuality , states that low libido is characterized by decreased sex drive for several months in the past year.
To help you identify the early symptoms of decreased libido, you can respond to the following statements with a "true" or "false" answer:
- Touching each other only happens in bed.
- Sex doesn't give you the feeling of belonging and sharing.
- Only one partner takes the initiative and the other feels pressured.
- You no longer wish to have sex.
- Sex is not passionate and it happens all the time.
- You almost never think or fantasize sexually about your partner.
- You have sex at most 2 times a month.
If you respond "true" to most of the above, then you have gradually entered a low libido state. For this reason, understanding the various causes is the first step to finding the right solution.
Causes of low libido in men
1. Low testosterone
Testosterone is a male hormone that is important for building muscle and bone mass, as well as stimulating sperm production. Testosterone is also one of the factors that affect your sex drive. Testosterone levels are considered low if they are below 300-350 nanograms per deciliter (ng / dL). When testosterone levels drop, your desire to have sex also decreases. Although testosterone decreases often aging, it will cause a low libido in men when it drops significantly.
2. Medicines
Taking certain drugs can lower testosterone levels, which in turn causes libido to decrease. For example, blood pressure drugs, such as ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers can prevent ejaculation and erection.
3. Depression
Depression changes all parts of a person's life. People with depression experience decreased desire for activities that are usually enjoyable, such as sex. Low libido can also be a side effect of some antidepressants, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).
4. Chronic disease
When you are not feeling well because of the effects of a chronic illness, such as chronic pain, then sex will probably be on the last priority list. Certain diseases, such as cancer, can reduce the amount of sperm you produce, as your body focuses on survival.
5. Sleep problems
A study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM), found that men who had obstructive sleep apnea had lower testosterone levels. Ultimately, this leads to decreased libido and sexual activity.
6. Aging
Testosterone levels, which are linked to libido, are at their highest in late adolescence, but a drop in testosterone levels will be noticeable at ages 60-65. When you reach middle age, it takes you longer to arouse, ejaculate, and orgasm.
7. Stress
If you are bothered by stressful situations, your sexual desire will decrease. This is because stress levels can disrupt your hormone levels. Arteries can narrow when stressed. This narrowing restricts blood flow, potentially leading to erectile dysfunction.
8. Relationships are too intimate
Intimacy in relationships doesn't always make sex better. Sometimes too much intimacy can actually inhibit sexual arousal. So, when someone has low passion, it does not mean he has a distance in the relationship he is in, it is precisely an overly intimate relationship that can inhibit arousal.