reduced testosterone, sleep deprivation, stress, substance abuse, and other factors can all contribute to reduced libido, or sex drive. A doctor can provide extra information if you’re concerned about changes in your sex drive.
Low libido describes a decreased interest in sexual activity at Common Causes and Treatment of Low Sex Drive (Libido) in Males.
It’s common to lose interest in sex from time to time, and libido levels vary throughout your life.
However, low libido for a long period of time can sometimes be an indicator of an underlying health condition.
Here are a few potential causes of low libido in males at Common Causes and Treatment of Low Sex Drive (Libido) in Males.
Low testosterone
Testosterone is an important male hormone that’s mostly produced in the testicles. It plays a key roleTrusted Source in:
- sperm production
- sex drive
- puberty
- muscle building
- bone health
- cognition
Healthy testosterone levels for males range between 450 and 600 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), according to the American Urological Association (AUA).
However, adult males are considered to have low testosterone if levels fall below 300 ng/dL.
When your testosterone levels decrease, your desire for sex also decreases. Decreasing testosterone is a normal part of aging, but a drastic drop can lead to decreased libido at Common Causes and Treatment of Low Sex Drive (Libido) in Males.
Speak with a healthcare professional if you think this might be an issue for you. They could provide a proper diagnosis and recommend supplements or gels to increase your testosterone levels.
Medications
Taking certain medications could lower your testosterone levels, which in turn could lead to low libido.
According to the International Society for Sexual Medicine, these may include:
- high blood pressure medications
- certain antidepressants
- chemotherapy or radiation treatments for cancer
- opioid pain relievers
- an antifungal medication called ketoconazole
- cimetidine (Tagamet), which is used for heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
If you’re experiencing the effects of low testosterone and take any of these medications, speak with a doctor. They may advise you to switch medications at Common Causes and Treatment of Low Sex Drive (Libido) in Males.
Depression
Depression may lead to a reduced or complete lack of interest in activities you once found pleasurable, such as sex.
Low libido is also a side effect of some antidepressants, includingTrusted Source:
- serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as venlafaxine and duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft)
Speak with a doctor if you’re taking antidepressants and experience low libido. They might address your side effects by adjusting your dose or having you switch to another medication at Common Causes and Treatment of Low Sex Drive (Libido) in Males.
Chronic illness
Research suggests that chronic conditions in males most commonly affect two aspectsTrusted Source of sexual function: libido and erectile function.
Chronic conditions that may affect sexual desire include:
- heart disease
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- type 2 diabetes
- chronic pain
- cancer
- obesity
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- chronic lung, heart, kidney, and liver failure
If you’re living with a chronic condition and are sexually active, it’s important to be open about ways to be intimate and supportive. You may also consider speaking with a sex therapist at Common Causes and Treatment of Low Sex Drive (Libido) in Males.
Sleep problems
Several sleeping disorders and conditions that could affect your sleep are associated with decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and low testosterone levels. These may include:
- obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- insomnia
- circadian rhythm sleep disorder
- periodic limb movement disorder
- narcolepsy
- frequent urination at night (nocturia)
If you experience decreased libido and sleep disturbances, speak with a healthcare professional. They may recommend a treatment plan that could include home remedies to sleep better and medication at Common Causes and Treatment of Low Sex Drive (Libido) in Males.
Aging
Testosterone levels, which are linked to libido, are at their highest during adolescence and gradually decrease as you age. This could lowerTrusted Source your sex drive, and you may find it more difficult to:
- orgasm
- ejaculate
- become aroused
- have or maintain erections
A healthcare professional could recommend a treatment plan to help manage low libido and testosterone levels.
Stress
If you’re distracted by situations or periods of high pressure, sexual desire may decrease.
ResearchTrusted Source suggests that an increase in cortisol, also called the “stress hormone,” could disrupt hormone levels, lower libido, and increase your risk of erectile dysfunction at Common Causes and Treatment of Low Sex Drive (Libido) in Males.
Similarly, a 2019 studyTrusted Source found that stress and personal burnout were associated with lower sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and decreased sexual satisfaction in males.
Some stress management techniques, such as breathing exercises, meditation, and talking with a therapist, may help improve libido.
Low self-esteem
Self-esteem is defined as a person’s general opinion about their own self.
Low self-esteem could take a toll on your sexual, emotional, and physical well-being. It may also cause anxiety about sexual performance, which could leadTrusted Source to issues with erectile dysfunction, reduced sexual desire, and avoiding sex altogether.
Over time, self-esteem issues can result in larger mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and drug or alcohol misuse — all of which have been linked to low libido at Common Causes and Treatment of Low Sex Drive (Libido) in Males.
Too little (or too much) exercise
Too little or too much exercise can also be responsible for low sex drive in males.
For instance, too little exercise (or none at all) can lead to a range of health problems that can affect sexual desire and arousal, such as:
- obesity
- high blood pressure
- type 2 diabetes
- stroke
- high cholesterol
- mental health disorders
On the other hand, over-exercising has also been shown to affect sexual health. In a 2017 study, higher levels of intense and lengthy endurance training on a regular basis were strongly associated with decreased libido scores in males at Common Causes and Treatment of Low Sex Drive (Libido) in Males.
The American Heart Association (AHA)Trusted Source recommends getting at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise or 75 minutes of high intensity exercise weekly.
Alcohol
Heavy alcohol drinking, or more than 15 drinksTrusted Source in a week, is associated with a decrease in testosterone.
Over a long period of time, excessive amounts of alcohol can reduce your sex drive and lead to erectile dysfunction at Common Causes and Treatment of Low Sex Drive (Libido) in Males.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that males drink two or fewerTrusted Source alcoholic beverages daily. Any more than this can lead to long-term health issues.
However, it’s important to note that even drinking one or two drinks daily doesn’t provideTrusted Source benefits to health and longevity, as has been believed for years.
Drug use
In addition to alcohol, the use of some substances and illegal drugs may lower your testosterone levels and affect sexual desire. These may includeTrusted Source at Common Causes and Treatment of Low Sex Drive (Libido) in Males:
- anabolic steroids
- cannabis
- nicotine
- amphetamines
Physical and emotional side effects of low libido
A decreased sex drive can be very unsettling.
Low libido can lead to a vicious cycle of physical and emotional side effects, such as:
- stress
- low self-esteem
- erectile dysfunction
- anxiety around sex
- relationship problems
If you experience low libido and it’s affecting your daily activities and mental well-being, speak with a healthcare professional. They could help develop a plan to increase your sex drive, which may include at Common Causes and Treatment of Low Sex Drive (Libido) in Males:
- lifestyle and dietary changes
- therapy, counseling, and group support
- medications, such as testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)