Low libido can be upsetting, unsettling, and perplexing. After all, who wouldn’t want to have sex?
But it’s not so cut-and-dry as simply not feeling “in the mood”. It’s deeper than that.
It’s an increasingly decreased interest in sexual activity, and it’s one that can cause tension and feelings of guilt and doubt in a relationship the longer it goes on.
A loss of libido over an extended period of time can also point to an underlying health concern — and in this article, we take a look at some of the most common causes of low libido in men.
What Causes a Loss of Libido?
There are a number of contributing factors when it comes to a loss of libido. However, many of them have something in common — low levels of testosterone.
So, let’s start at the root cause:
Low Testosterone Levels
Testosterone is a vitally important hormone, responsible for muscle and bone mass, fat distribution, facial hair, and sperm production.
And it can also affect your libido.
You see, when your T-levels go down, your sex drive does too.
While a gradual decline of testosterone is a perfectly normal part of the ageing process, a sudden and drastic drop can be cause for concern. If you start to lose interest in sex, coupled with other symptoms of low testosterone, you should talk to your doctor.
Other causes of low testosterone (and loss of libido) include:
- Certain Medications and Medical Treatments – Some medications and treatments can interfere with your T-levels which, in turn, can lead to a lower sex drive.
For instance, radiation and chemotherapy treatments for cancer, opioid pain relief (such as morphine), and some antidepressants can lower testosterone. Meanwhile, blood pressure medication can impact the ability to maintain or achieve an erection.
If you’re experiencing low libido as a side-effect of your medication, speak to your doctor. They may be able to suggest an alternative treatment.
- Stress & Anxiety – Periods of stress and anxiety, whether in your personal or professional life, can put a dampener on your sex life — and with good reason.
Stress makes you tired, irritable, and distant, and can also disrupt your hormone levels.
- Poor Quality Sleep – A lack of quality sleep is another culprit in the low testosterone stakes. One study of healthy young men found that T-levels decreased by up to 15 percent after one week of restrictive sleep.
- Cigarettes, Drugs and Alcohol – Excessive drinking can decrease testosterone production and reduce your sex drive. Smoking, meanwhile, can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) and impairs sexual arousal. And the use of marijuana and illegal drugs have been linked to lower levels of testosterone.
What Else Causes Decreased Sex Drive?
Depression
Depression and libido can be a double-edged sword.
For starters, one of the most common symptoms of depression is a lack of interest in what you once found enjoyable — and that includes sex.
But if you decide to treat your depression with antidepressants, you may find that a common side effect of the medication is — you guessed it — low libido.
Chronic Illness
Likewise, chronic illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and chronic pain can wreak havoc with your sex drive.
This can be due to the emotional and physical strain caused by these conditions, or it may be linked to a side effect of treatment. Either way, if you don’t feel physically well, there’s a fairly good chance that sex won’t be high on the to-do list.
Not Enough Exercise (Or Too Much)
Not getting enough exercise can result in a number of health problems, many of which can impact libido.
Taking regular exercise can stave off the risk of the chronic health conditions mentioned above, while also lowering cortisol levels, which helps keep stress at bay.
However, there’s a balance to be struck when it comes to working out. Too much exercise can also affect sexual desire. One study found that intense endurance training is “significantly associated with decreased libido scores in men.”
Low Self-Esteem or Poor Body Image
The way you feel about yourself — and your opinion of how you look — can majorly impact your desire to have sex. If you have low self-confidence and feel unattractive, you’re less likely to seek out sexual encounters. You may even avoid having sex altogether.
Suffering from low self-esteem can also trigger anxiety about sexual performance, and mushroom into larger mental health issues, such as depression or alcohol abuse, which, as we’ve discovered, are associated with low libido.
How to Get Your Groove Back
The good news is, there are several options available to you when it comes to increasing your sex drive. These include:
- Switching medications if your low libido can be linked with an underlying health condition and/or its treatment (but only if safe to do so under the direction of your doctor or prescriber);
- Seeking help from a qualified therapist or counsellor if your low libido can be linked with depression, stress, anxiety, or relationship issues;
- Or by simply adopting a healthier lifestyle, with the right amount of exercise, sleep, and a balanced diet. In fact, there are a number of foods that can boost libido by helping you to increase testosterone levels, improve heart health and blood flow, and enhance erectile function.
Key Takeaways
It’s important to remember that there’s no such thing as a “normal” libido, so you mustn’t try to benchmark your own desire for sex with someone else’s.
Instead, try to be mindful of your libido to better understand what’s normal for you. Then, if you notice a decrease in sex drive, you can take the necessary steps to identify the underlying causes.
Finally, take care not to blame yourself (or your partner) in this situation. This can be harmful to your self-esteem and your relationship, which can make matters worse.
¹Mayo Clinic – Cancer treatment for men: Possible sexual side effects: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer-treatment/art-20045422
²Cecilie Hurup Hansen, Lizette Weber Larsen, Amalie Møller Sørensen, Bent Halling-Sørensen, Bjarne Styrishave(2017). The six most widely used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors decrease androgens and increase estrogens in the H295R cell line: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28179152/
³Salam Ranabir and K. Reetu (2011). Stress and hormones: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3079864/
⁴Rachel Leproult, PhD and Eve Van Cauter, PhD (2011). Effect of 1 Week of Sleep Restriction on Testosterone Levels in Young Healthy MenFREE: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4445839/
⁵Christopher B. Harte and Cindy M. Meston (2012). Association between smoking cessation and sexual health in men: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3235242/
⁶Cleveland Clinic – Drugs and Male Fertility: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15229-drugs-and-male-fertility
⁷Harvard Men’s Health Watch – Exercising to relax: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/exercising-to-relax
⁸Ovid – Endurance Exercise Training and Male Sexual Libido: https://insights.ovid.com/crossref?an=00005768-201707000-00013
While we've ensured that everything you read on the Health Centre is medically reviewed and approved, information presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor.
