Low interest rates, low cholesterol, and low libido. One of these things is not like the other. When we think of something being low in a positive light, libido doesn’t come to mind. A low libido might feel more relatable to a low credit score or dangerously low blood pressure. Low libido may not constitute a serious medical condition like low blood pressure, but it can have a negative impact on your life, relationships, and overall happiness. Having a low libido can leave you feeling, for lack of a better term, well…low.
For those who are scratching their head every time we mention libido, libido is just a fancy schmancy word for sex drive. While libido may be a technical term, technically, there is no set level for what a man’s sex drive should be. A man’s sex drive is driven by many factors including hormone levels, other health conditions, and so much more.
It should not be an automatic cause for alarm if your sex drive is a little lower from time to time. It is completely normal to have your libido ebb and flow. Much like Mercury in retrograde, it will (usually) circle back. However, if it doesn’t, it may be worth looking into.
There are a number of reasons for a low sex drive, both mental and physical. Low testosterone is a very common cause, especially since testosterone levels lower as you age. Low testosterone levels can lead to a condition called hypogonadism, which causes the testes to produce little to no sex hormones.
If you think your libido may be due to low testosterone, look for signs like decreased testicle size, fatigue, loss of body hair, erectile dysfunction, and decreased semen volume. While Popstar’s signature formula can fix the semen volume issue in a pinch, what is the point of having a full tank if you aren’t looking to take a joy ride?
When it comes to sex, what’s going on upstairs can directly affect what’s going on downstairs. In other words, your mental health can directly impact your sexual health. Depression can lead to a disinterest in normal, everyday activities, including sex. Other symptoms of depression include trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and poor appetite. Depression can also contribute to other sexual issues, such as erectile dysfunction (ED). To get all the tea on ED, check out our blog here.
Stress can also take a big toll on your sex drive, and there is no EZ Pass for that. If you are dealing with any sort of stressors, whether it be work-related, home life, or financial issues, you may notice your sex drive tank on E. Work-related stress may inhibit you from sending or receiving any NSFW (not safe for work) sexy pics. Stress triggers the production of cortisol. While cortisol regulates several bodily functions, excessive amounts of the hormone can negatively impact the male reproductive system, thereby lowering libido. Stress is unfortunately an inevitable part of life. But having ways to cope with stress, like exercise, therapy, and meditation, are some important ways to keep your libido going strong.
If you and your partner aren’t making the time for fornication, it may be time for reevaluation. Issues in your relationship can also affect your libido. We all have busy lives, so making time for sex is hard enough. But if you do have the time and still aren’t getting hard, it may be time to ask yourself some even harder questions. Just like your sex drive waxes and wanes, so can your feelings for your partner. While this isn’t necessarily uncommon, it could be why the metaphorical “needs maintenance” libido light is on.
While your sexual dysfunction may be caused by a mental or emotional problem, let’s not jump to sex drive conclusions. Your libido, or lack thereof, could be caused by certain medications you are taking. However, there may be a bit of a Catch-22. What do antidepressants and depression have in common, you ask? They can both negatively impact your libido. If you are struggling with depression-related low sex drive, your PCP can prescribe an SSRI or SNRI, two common types of antidepressants. While they will curb your depression, they can also cause your sex drive to stay idle. It can be quite the dilemma, but you and your primary care provider can work together to find a treatment that works for you and your needs without compromising your sex life. Other medications and treatments that can also affect your libido include: blood pressure medications, opioid pain relievers, anti-anxiety medications, as well as chemotherapy and radiation.
While we are on the subject of health, there are numerous other chronic health conditions that can contribute to a low libido. Obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, liver and kidney problems, and cancer, to name a few, can negatively affect your sex drive. If you don’t feel great, how can you be expected to want (or have) great sex.
There are a million and a half reasons why you may not be interested in going to Pound Town. But the bottom line is: If you or your partner are dealing with low libido, speak to a healthcare professional because there are likely solutions to help you jump start your car back into high gear!
