21/07/2021
WHAT IS LOW S*X DRIVE?
Low s*x drive, also referred to as LOW LIBIDO describes a decreased interest in s*xual activity.
It’s common to lose interest in s*x from time to time, and libido levels vary through life.
However, low libido for a long period of time may be alarming. It can sometimes be an indicator of an underlying health condition.
Here are a few potential causes of low libido in men:
LOW TESTOSTERONE
Testosterone is an important male hormone in men, produced in the testicles.
Testosterone is responsible for building muscles and bone mass, and for stimulating s***m production. Your testosterone levels also factor into your s*x drive.
Although normal testosterone levels will vary in adult men, if falls below 300 nanograms per deciliter, your desire for s*x also decreases.
Decreasing testosterone is a normal part of aging. However, a drastic drop in testosterone can lead to low s*x drive (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 ej*******on and er****ons.
Other common medications such opioid pain relievers and certain antidepressants can also lower testosterone levels.
RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is the uncontrollable urge to move your legs. A study found that men with RLS are at higher risk for developing erectile dysfunction (ED) than those without RLS.
DEPRESSSION
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 s*x.
STRESS
If you’re distracted by situations or periods of high pressure, s*xual 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.
CHRONIC ILLNESS
Some of the most common 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
Conditions such as sleep deprivation and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may also lead to decreased s*xual activity and libido.
Recent studies done on young, healthy men found that testosterone levels were decreased by 10 to 15 percent after a week of sleep restriction to five hours per night.
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 or***ms, ej*****te, and become aroused. Your er****ons may not be as hard, and it may take longer for your p***s to become erect.
However, medications are available that can help treat these issues, some of which are available at the Wellman's Clinic.
Common lifestyle habits such as little to no exercise, drug use and abuse of alcohol are also known to have adverse effects on libido and s*xual performance in general.
PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL SIDE EFFECTS OF LOW LIBIDO
A decreased s*x 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 er****on long enough to have satisfactory s*x.
ED may cause a man to experience anxiety around s*x. This can lead to tension and conflicts between him and his partner, which may in turn lead to fewer s*xual encounters and more relationship issues.
Failure to perform due to ED can trigger feelings of depression, self-esteem issues, and poor body image.
