What is libido?
Contents
- What is libido
- When it comes to low libido
- The causes of low libido in men
- The psychological cause of low libido in men
- The hormonal cause of low libido in men
- The medical cause of low libido in men
- Treatments for loss of libido in men
Normal sexual function is the result of a complex interaction between psychological, physiological and socio-cultural factors. Stress, difficulties within a relationship or in marriage, age, menopause or andropause, and therefore the drop in testosterone, and various drug treatments are just some of the many underlying causes of low sexual desire or low libido in men and women.
If low libido also refers to an element of distress, it can be classified as a hypoactive sexual desire disorder. This is currently defined by the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4 as a recurrent or persistent lack or absence of sexual desire for sexual activity which, in turn, causes marked interpersonal distress or difficulty. When it comes to low libido
The prevalence of low sexual desire shows an increase with age, partly reflecting the normal aging process. As testosterone levels gradually decrease in men, this can lead to a decrease in sexual desire, a decrease in libido and all the symptoms accompanying limited exposure to androgens, i.e. a decrease in muscle mass and bone density.
Difficult living conditions, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and a history of sexual abuse are common causes for decreased sexual desire. Environmental factors such as prolonged exposure to bright light or noise can also result in low libido.
Some disorders are also associated with low sex drive, i.e. thyroid problems, diabetes, obesity, pituitary disorders, particularly hyperprolactinemia, malignant tumors, neurological diseases and cardiovascular diseases.
Some drugs can also reduce libido, mainly antihypertensives (beta blockers), antidepressants, antiepileptics, antipsychotics, as well as specific drugs that block the effects or reduce testosterone production.
Decreased libido is also a side effect of statins, which are often used to treat hypercholesterolemia.
Questionnaire-based tools have been developed to diagnose low sexual desire, often including an assessment of distress for the diagnosis of hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Causes of low libido in men
Testosterone is a hormone closely related to sexual arousal.
Several studies conducted in this regard have shown that low testosterone levels are strongly associated with reduced sexual desire or low libido, especially in men aged 40-79.
Testosterone levels gradually decline with age, which may explain why low libido appears to be more common in older populations. However, testosterone levels can also decrease due to specific diseases such as hypogonadism, where the testes stop functioning properly.
Hypogonadism can be linked to an underlying medical condition such as Klinefelter’s syndrome or Turner’s syndrome. Hypogonadism can also develop as a result of conditions such as mumps or an autoimmune condition such as Addison’s disease.
Your testosterone levels can be affected by weight gain, testicular injuries, infections, and some cancer treatments. Fortunately low testosterone can be treated with testosterone replacement therapy, and you may be able to address some of the symptoms – including low libido – by making changes to your diet or lifestyle. Consult your doctor if you are concerned about low testosterone levels. The psychological cause of low libido in men
Sexual desire can change at any time. Low libido is associated with a variety of different causes, including psychological and medical problems that can affect anyone at any age.
Relationship problems, low self-esteem, and work-related stress can have a profound impact on your sex drive, as can smoking, drinking too much or gaining weight in a short period of time. The hormonal cause of low libido in men
Low sex drive is a surprisingly common problem. The delicate, and often considered embarrassing, nature of the problem means that many cases go unreported, but a global study of sexual attitudes and behaviors showed that low sex drive affects between 1 and 20 percent of adult men and between 26 and 43% of adult women.
Many people assume that low or reduced sex drive is normally a consequence of the aging process, and it is true that aging can alter hormone levels in the body, triggering a natural decrease in libido. The medical cause of low libido in men
Loss of libido is also associated with a number of diseases and conditions, including diabetes, cancer, liver cirrhosis, heart disease, depression and hormonal imbalances.
Birth control pills, antidepressants, and other medications can reduce sexual desire. There is evidence to suggest that the use of antihypertensive drugs such as spironolactone, amiloride, and triamterene can also reduce libido.
Chronic diseases such as heart disease, arthritis or cancer can also put a strain on your body, reducing your energy levels and leaving you feeling tired. According to the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists, the high levels of fatigue caused by chronic diseases often negatively impact interest in sex and are often associated with low libido. Treatments for loss of libido in men
The inherently complex nature of sexual desire and function requires a holistic approach to this problem, as there can be many triggers. The medical history should reveal any causes of low libido or other sexual disorders that need to be addressed, and also highlight any psychological factors.
Psychological interventions are often sufficient to address the problem, considering that there are no physical factors that can affect libido.
Among the therapies that may be helpful are basic psychosexual counseling, relationship counseling, and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. Basic sexual counseling often includes education in basic anatomy and physiology, an understanding of normal sexual response, and normal changes in sexuality with age.
Despite modern advances in understanding libido and other aspects of sexuality, drug treatment options remain limited.
One option is a transdermal patch which releases testosterone through the skin into the bloodstream, and is only available in Europe.
