Low libido, or reduced sexual desire, can affect both men and women. It is not unusual for a person’s interest in sex to fluctuate over different periods of their life due to hormonal changes, age, and stress.
However, low libido can be a problem if it causes stress, affects a person’s overall well-being, or leads to anxiety about their relationship.
Low libido can have an underlying medical cause, or it may be due to lifestyle factors. In this article, we explore the causes of low libido in men and women, the potential treatments, and when to speak with a doctor.
Physical issues that can cause low libido include low testosterone, prescription medicines, too little or too much exercise, and alcohol and drug use. In women, this is known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).
Psychological issues can include depression, stress, and problems in your relationship.
There are many possible reasons for having a low sex drive (loss of libido). Treating the cause should help increase your sex drive.
Causes of a low sex drive
Some of the main causes of a low sex drive include:
- Relationship problems
- Stress, anxiety or depression
- Sexual problems like erectile dysfunction or vaginal dryness
- Pregnancy and having a baby – your hormone levels change when you’re pregnant, and looking after a baby can be stressful and tiring
- Lower hormone levels as you get older, particularly during the menopause
- Taking certain medicines, such as medicine for high blood pressure or antidepressants
- Using hormonal contraception like the pill, patch or implant
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Some long-term conditions can also affect your sex drive, such as heart disease, diabetes, an underactive thyroid or cancer.
- When your testosterone levels decrease, your desire for sex also decreases.
- Decreasing testosterone is a normal part of aging. However, a drastic drop in testosterone can lead to decreased libido.
Medications
Taking certain medications can lower testosterone levels, which in turn may lead to low libido.
For example, blood pressure medications such as ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers may prevent ejaculation and erections.
Other medications that can lower testosterone levels include:
- Chemotherapy or radiation treatments for cancer
- Hormones used to treat prostate cancer
- Corticosteroids
- Opioid pain relievers, such as morphine (MorphaBond, MS Contin) and oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet)
- An antifungal medication called ketoconazole
- Cimetidine (Tagamet), which is used for heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Anabolic steroids, which may be used by athletes to increase muscle mass
- Certain antidepressants
Depression
Depression changes all parts of a person’s life. People with depression experience a reduced or complete lack of interest in activities they once found pleasurable, including sex.
Chronic illness
When you’re not feeling well due to the effects of a chronic health condition, such as chronic pain, sex is likely low on your list of priorities.
Certain illnesses, such as cancer, can reduce your sperm production counts as well.
Other chronic illnesses that can take a toll on your libido include:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Chronic lung, heart, kidney, and liver failure.
Sleep problems
A study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that nonobese men with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) experience lower testosterone levels. In turn, this leads to decreased sexual activity and libido.
In the study, researchers found that nearly one-third of the men who had severe sleep apnea also had reduced levels of testosterone.
In another recent study Trusted Source in young, healthy men, testosterone levels were decreased by 10 to 15 percent after a week of sleep restriction to five hours per night.
The researchers found that the effects of restricting sleep on testosterone levels were especially evident between 2:00 pm and 10:00 pm the next day.
Aging
Testosterone levels, which are linked to libido, are at their highest when men are in their late teens.
In your older years, it may take longer to have orgasms, ejaculate, and become aroused. Your erections may not be as hard, and it may take longer for your penis to become erect.
Stress
If you’re distracted by situations or periods of high pressure, sexual desire may decrease. This is because stress can disrupt your hormone levels. Your arteries can narrow in times of stress. This narrowing restricts blood flow and potentially causes ED.
Alcohol
Heavy alcohol drinking, or more than 14 mixed drinks in a week, has also been linked to a decrease in testosterone production. Over a long period of time, excessive amounts of alcohol can reduce your sex drive.
Drug use
In addition to alcohol, the use of tobacco, marijuana, and illicit drugs such as opiates has also been connected to a decrease in testosterone production. This can result in a lack of sexual desire.
Smoking has also been found to have a negative impact on sperm production and sperm movement.
Physical and emotional side effects of low libido
A decreased sex drive can be very unsettling for men. Low libido can lead to a vicious cycle of physical and emotional side effects, including ED — the inability to maintain an erection long enough to have satisfactory sex.
ED may cause a man to experience anxiety around sex. This can lead to tension and conflicts between him and his partner, which may in turn lead to fewer sexual encounters and more relationship issues.
Failure to perform due to ED can trigger feelings of depression, self-esteem issues, and poor body image.
Welcome to Fekomi Herbal
Looking to improve your sex life? Here at Fekomi Wellness we can help you do just that. Our experienced consultants will customize treatments to significantly improve erectile functioning and optimize male performances.
You might wish to book an appointment with a certified health consultant at Fekomi Wellness today and being your treatment journey with Fekomi Herbals.
Sexual Complete Treatment (NAFDAC Registered) contains herbs that are well-formulated to boost your libido. With lots of positive feedback from our various clients across the globe, you can be optimistic that our products, which are NAFDAC CERTIFIED, will you the maximum desired result.
For further inquiries, kindly call our desk line on 09074197154 or visit our website, fekomiharbals.com
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