Common Causes of Low Sex Drive in Men
There are plenty of stereotypes about men and high sex drives. Unfortunately, these tropes can do more harm than good when we see them in movies, television shows, and even when they’re talked about in social circles.
The reality is that around 1 in 5 men experience low libido. The stereotypes often portrayed in society about men having a high sex drive can make it more difficult for those men with a low drive to get the help they deserve.
Sound familiar? If you tend to have a low sex drive, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. However, it’s important to find the underlying cause so you can deal with any potential issues that could be lowering your libido.
With that, let’s look at some of the common causes of low sex drive in men and what you can do about it.
Health Issues
Before checking into anything else, you should work with your doctor to make sure there aren’t any underlying medical issues contributing to your low sex drive.
Health conditions like diabetes and other chronic conditions can impact libido. High blood pressure and cholesterol can also play a part.
Medical testing can also help to determine your testosterone levels. If you have low testosterone, it could contribute to low libido and issues like erectile dysfunction. Even certain medications you might already be taking for a health condition could contribute to low libido.
Working with your doctor to get to the bottom of any health conditions and potential symptoms should always be your first step. Low libido might simply be one side effect of something more serious.
Psychological Issues
Once you’ve ruled out physical health issues, you can start to focus on potential psychological factors that could be contributing to your low sex drive.
Depression and anxiety, for example, come with a variety of symptoms. They can both impact your self-esteem. When you see yourself in a negative light, it can impact your desire to have sex. It can also contribute to performance anxiety. You might be so convinced that you’re not good enough that you start to worry about pleasing your partner. As a result, you tend to avoid sex altogether.
Any kind of stress can also contribute to lower libido on a short-term basis, but excessive stress can lead to lower testosterone levels.
Relationship Issues
Sometimes, your lifestyle and things happening around you could be the cause of your low sex drive.
For example, if you’re having problems in your relationship, you might not want to have sex. Even if you’re physically attracted to your partner, sex is an emotional thing. If you’re having trouble working things out, it can cause stress, doubt, and worry. All of those things can decrease your desire and put the idea of sex on the back burner of your mind.
Lifestyle Issues
How you take care of yourself on a daily basis can often have a lot to do with your sex drive. But make sure you know the pros and cons of your actions. Exercise, for instance, is obviously important for your physical and mental health. However, did you know you can over-exercise? Pushing yourself too hard each day can cause fatigue, which can lower your sex drive.
Excessive drinking and even drug use can also be factors of a low libido. Take a look at your lifestyle choices and consider what they might be impacting.
As you can see, there are plenty of common causes of low sex drive in men. But this list isn’t exclusive. If you’re dealing with low libido and still aren’t sure why, let’s talk about it. Call today to set up a consultation for anxiety counseling.