Do Men Suffer From Low Libido?

Do men suffer from low libido?

Well, as a doctor seeing at least 10 men per week suffering from low or even no libido, I can absolutely assure you that the situation does indeed exist and causes lots of misery too.

How common is loss of libido in men?

In 2013, The Journal of Sexual Medicine published a study on low sex drive in men. Scientists reported that in a sample of over 5,000 men, 14% of the men between the ages of 18 and 29 had experienced low libido within the previous year. The rate was 17% for men between 50 and 59 years old.

I find this a very interesting study because it exactly mirrors what I have been finding in practice over the years. It is not a condition confined to old men on sticks. Far from it. Lack of libido can and indeed does affect younger men as well. 14% of them, according to this study. And that is only slightly less that the 17% of older men affected.

What are some causes for lack of libido?

• Testosterone is a critical hormone for a man’s sex drive. As men get older, their testosterone levels gradually decline, which can make them feel less interested in sex. Other medical conditions, such as obesity, or obstructive sleep apnea, can lower testosterone levels, too. However, testosterone deficiency syndrome would be by far the commonest cause.

• Medication and drugs. Lower libido can be a side effect of many different drugs both prescribed and illicit. Examples would be antidepressants, opioids, and beta-blockers (used to lower blood pressure). Drug and alcohol abuse may also diminish a man’s sex drive, particularly cannabis.

• Chronic tiredness. Sometimes, men can become so tired that they lose interest in sex. Although tiredness may also be a symptom of testosterone deficiency syndrome itself.

• Stress and anxiety. Coping with stressful situations and anxiety can also take its toll on anyone’s libido, man or woman.

• Relationship problems. When a man is unhappy with his relationship or angry with his partner, he may feel less inclined to have sex.

• Other sexual dysfunction like premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction can also lead to loss of libido. Men with these conditions tend to avoid intimacy out of performance anxiety, as they fear exposing themselves. This ultimately leads to libido loss.

• Boredom. Sex becomes routine for some couples, especially if they have been together for a long time. They continue with the same sexual activities that they’ve always done, making sex less interesting and fun. As a result, they may lose their desire for sex.

How is testosterone deficiency diagnosed?

In a word, testosterone deficiency syndrome is diagnosed by listening to what the man is saying to you and not by looking at his laboratory results. Blood levels of testosterone tell you little and should not be relied upon as the criteria for introducing testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) or not.

Dr. Andrew Rynne is a general medical practitioner practicing in Clane, Co. Kildare, Ireland. Dr. Rynne specializes in vasectomy, Testosterone Replacement Therapy and fixing sexual dysfunctions in men and women. He also provides an Online Medical Consultation Service at http://www.medicaladviceforyou.com where you can consult with Dr. Rynne or one of his Healthcare Professionals.