Discover 9 causes for lack of male libido
Still considered a taboo, the fall in male libido is more present than one might imagine. Although our society makes us think otherwise, lack of sexual appetite is a very common situation.
What is libido?
Libido is sexual desire. In some people, libido is almost non-existent, while in others, it is greatly exacerbated.
When does low libido refer?
Decreased libido in men is very common with advancing age and can vary with time and personal experiences. However, let's talk about craving disorders, that is, when the problem has been installed for at least 3 months, where the affected person suffers from this situation.
What are the causes of low male libido?
The causes of low libido are multiple and unique to each person. While the drop in libido is natural and progressive with age, it can also be a sign of undetected health problems.
1 - Psychological issues
The psychological aspect affects the majority of the population. It often influences our daily lives, even in the most intimate moments.
2 - Stress
As with anyone, the stress of everyday life can be a major factor in a drop in libido. Directly affecting the testosterone level, a highly stressed man can experience a significant loss of sexual desire.
Therefore, it is not uncommon for a man to be able to regain his libido after a weekend of rest or a vacation, because he is less stressed and less busy with day-to-day worries.
3 - Poor sleep quality
In general, sleep disorders are increasingly present in our society. Many studies have been conducted to better understand the impact of lack of sleep on our health.
Today, we know that a week of restrictive sleep, equivalent to 5 hours a night, is enough to reduce the level of testosterone in men by 10 to 15%.
4 - Depression
People with depression often fall prey to a lack of interest in various activities, such as sex. The decrease in libido occurs through a considerable drop in self-esteem, leading to a total disinterest in pleasure.
5 - Andropause
Andropause is a cluster of symptoms in men as they age, being primarily characterized by a decrease in testosterone levels. In particular, it is one of the main reasons for a drop in libido in men over 45.
6 - Hormonal impact
Testosterone supports sperm production, muscle mass development and general energy regulation. When the rate of this hormone is low for whatever reason, a drop in libido can be noticed.
7 - Chronic diseases
Normally, when we live with a chronic illness, we tend not to feel well. In fact, due to the recurring pain that a chronic illness can cause, sexual desire is affected.
In addition to the possible associated physical pain, some chronic diseases still have a great influence on testosterone levels, such as:
- Type 2 diabetes;
- Obesity;
- High cholesterol;
- Renal insufficiency;
- Arterial hypertension;
- Thyroid problem.
All these ailments require regular medication, where the side effects of treatment can also have a significant impact on libido.
8 - Restless legs syndrome
Restless Legs Syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes an irresistible urge to move the legs. Also called nocturnal impatience, it usually manifests itself at night as discomfort in the lower limbs, generating unpleasant sensations. This syndrome is considered one of the causes of male libido decline and erectile dysfunction.
9 - Medicines
Unfortunately, some medications can lower testosterone levels resulting in low libido. Medications like antidepressants, anticancer drugs, beta blockers, etc. can cause the side effect of decreased sexual desire.
How to treat male lack of libido
There are some ways to increase sexual desire in men, including:
- Do therapy with a psychologist, either individual therapy or for the couple, if the source of the lack of sexual desire comes from emotional issues;
- Another alternative is testosterone replacement treatment, usually in the form of injections, if the decrease in libido is caused by this sex hormone;
- Natural supplements can also help increase testosterone levels, in which case they are more effective as an adjunct treatment.