A low libido is a decrease in sex drive. Not only does it affect a man’s satisfaction, but it will also cause frustration in a relationship.
Tension will inevitably kick in, and both partners will feel guilty for the other’s lack of happiness. In the long run, a low sexual desire can have devastating effects.
The good news is a decreased libido can actually be treated. Whether it is caused by erectile dysfunction, low testosterone, or psychological factors, you can identify the causes and work on them to regain your sex drive. Here is everything you need to know.
Contents
What is a Low Libido?
A low libido is fairly simple to describe. It is a diagnostic given by a specialist – or even yourself when sexual desires are low. A man with low libido can still look at and appreciate beautiful women, but there is a lack of will when it comes to actual sexual arousal.
Sexual desires will inevitably fluctuate throughout a man’s life. Libido levels will also vary, so sometimes, it is normal to feel a bit off. Maybe you are tired, or there are too many things at work to worry about. However, such issues should not persist for too long.
Lifestyle factors and other causes of a low sex drive in men should be tackled early. It is not necessarily a sexual dysfunction, but the fact that you lose interest could affect your sex life – moreover, sperm production may also be affected.
How Do You Know If You Have Low Libido?
A decreased sex drive is fairly simple to identify, and it is mostly related to your lack of passion when it comes to having sex.
Your sexual function is still alright, despite the lower libido. But then, it feels like you would rather do something else – regardless of the time of the day.
Hormone levels are still alright, and while it makes sense if you are tired or busy, you do not feel like having sex even when fully rested. Sexual problems may also arise if you get aroused or your partner tries something – sometimes, sexual activity will be prevented by the lack of an erection.
Major Causes of Low Libido
There are multiple causes, and they may range from high blood pressure and testosterone deficiency to chronic illnesses and obstructive sleep apnea. Most men improve their sex drive with libido enhancement pills and that’s fine. But if you may want to know the causes first, so you know how to overcome sexual issues.
Issues In The Relationship
Issues in the relationship represent the most common cause of low libido. It makes no difference what these issues are about. You need to be open-minded about them and talk freely to your partner – whether something is bothering you or perhaps bothering her.
Tension will cause a series of issues, and low libido is one of them. If something is bothering you, do not let it grow roots. The more you delay the solution, the more it aggravates. Your libido goes lower and lower, and the attraction will inevitably disappear at some point.
Sometimes, the problem might be related to you – maybe you have low self-esteem. Other times, your partner might be doing something you dislike. No matter what it is, communication is the key to a healthy relationship.
Relationship counseling may also help with individual or couple relationship issues.
Low Testosterone
Low testosterone is another common cause of low libido. There are more options, such as testosterone supplementation or testosterone replacement therapy. This is an important sex hormone, and apart from your sex drive, it is also responsible for your masculinity – facial hair, for example.
Testosterone levels are incredibly high during adolescence, but they drop with adulthood. If they drop too much, your sexual desire will also be affected. According to the American Urological Association, low testosterone levels are more popular in older men, but the problem can also affect young adults.
Double-check the testosterone level before opting for therapy. Unlike most expectations, it will not necessarily lead to erectile dysfunction. You should get a blood test and discuss this problem with a therapist if you suffer from it.
Depression
A low sex drive and depression are often related. Treat depression – even if it is a chronic illness – and your libido will naturally go back to normal if there are no other issues. Depression will worsen the low libido, especially since some medication for it will aggravate the actual problem.
If low libido occurs due to depression or drug use, you may want to discuss this issue with your doctor. You could, for example, lower the dose. You could also change the medication and get something without such side effects.
Keep in mind that side effects will not disappear overnight, whether you take drugs for kidney disease, sleep apnea, or other health conditions. Libido issues will improve in the long run, but you need a bit of patience.
Certain medications may have different side effects – consider your options with your doctor upfront.
Stress And Sleep Issues
Stress is a medically reviewed cause of low libido. It brings in a higher risk for other affections too.
Stress levels can skyrocket, affecting every aspect of your life, not to mention leading to more severe medical problems.
Reduce stress, and the natural production of cortisol will also be reduced.
Cortisol is a hormone that works like an alarm. It is released when you are under pressure. Your blood flow will be restricted and may even cause erectile dysfunction.
Stress is linked to other potential causes of low libido too. According to peer-reduced studies, it can also cause insomnia and other similar problems – more stress, less sleep, more fatigue, and less sexual desire. It is a vicious circle.
The increased risk of other issues means you could benefit if you talk to your doctor about it and potential medical conditions. There are natural ways to clear it, but you can also try medication. If side effects include low libido, try a different drug.
In the long run, insomnia could become a chronic condition.
Lifestyle Causes of Low Libido
Lifestyle choices can slightly increase the risk of low libido.
Alcohol & Drugs
Excessive drinking and pretty much any drug will reduce the interest in sex. Furthermore, such lifestyle choices are also associated with erectile dysfunction, which will also cause anxiety and will force you to avoid sexual activity. You could quit them naturally or with medication.
Obesity
Extra weight will affect your metabolism and all the hormones in your body, meaning your testosterone will also be affected. You will have a lower sex drive, as well as low blood levels. Plus, obesity can cause a series of medical affections – losing weight takes time, but it is doable.
Exercise
If you do exercise, make sure you do it within normal limits. Little to no exercise can give you a reduced sex drive. But on the same note, there is a fine line between too little and too much exercise. Plenty of exercises – especially at a high intensity – can also lead to low libido.
Smoking
Smoking affects your body’s functions – from smell and taste to the respiratory system, heart, and erectile function. It causes erectile dysfunction in the long run, but it also lowers libido. It is a deadly habit, and luckily, there are plenty of methods to quit it today, regardless of the level of addiction.
How To Improve A Low Sex Drive
Now, how do you improve your libido? Here are some useful techniques. As a general rule of thumb, you must identify the cause of this sexual issue. Once you have the underlying cause, you can focus on correcting it.
For instance, if your life is full of stress due to too many tasks at work or at home, you can find ways to keep calm and do one thing at a time. Learn how to relax or try different techniques, and your libido will return to normal.
Get Regular Physical Activity
Even if this is not the cause, getting regular physical activity will help you improve your libido.
It is part of a healthy lifestyle, and apart from working on the inside of your body too, you will look better, meaning your self-confidence will grow. High self-esteem will naturally increase libido as well.
Massage With Oil
There are good essential oils for erectile dysfunction which you can apply to your genital area and this can invigorate your manhood. These oils are mostly made from natural organics and herbs that have been known to boost libido.
Eat A Healthy Diet
A healthy diet will naturally help every function in your body, and the libido makes no exception either. Avoid processed foods and junk food – basically, empty calories. A healthy diet will also help you look better, which boosts your self-esteem.
Some foods are proven or thought to improve libido too. Here are a few examples:
- Black raspberries
- Pine nuts
- Oysters
- Avocados
- Watermelon
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Broccoli
Maintain A Healthy Weight
Whether you do it through exercise or a healthy diet, a proper weight for your height is mandatory. It will help your body from all directions, and it will naturally keep your libido within normal limits as well. Reaching the ideal weight takes time, but it is doable.
Get Plenty of Sleep
Make sure you get seven or eight hours of sleep per night. Even if you can function properly with less than that, a hectic lifestyle will not do your libido too good. You need your sleep to balance hormones, rest and regenerate.
Apart from physical factors, a low sex drive is often linked to psychological factors too – again, identify the cause yourself and work on it to boost the libido. Depression and anxiety are the most common problems out there.
Issues in your relationship are not to be overlooked either – if you feel like you cannot handle them yourself, get in touch with a professional. There are all sorts of treatments that can help, as well as relationship counseling.
Use A Men’s Erection Device
You can likewise improve your sex drive with medical ed pumps. These devices can induce blood flow to your cock, where you will feel rush of blood, thus making it awake and erect.
Conclusion
Bottom line, a low sex drive can affect everyone out there. It happens, and it can usually be handled with a few lifestyle changes. There are more causes behind it, so identifying them will naturally help you recover your sex drive.
Regardless of the issue, keep in mind that it takes time to get back on track.
Resources
- auanet.org/
