Low Libido in Men - Possible Causes and Treatment
Low libido is a problem that is often associated with women. However, some men may also face this problem. Low sex drive in men should not be confused with erectile dysfunction. Men with problems maintaining an erection may have a perfectly normal libido. Similarly, men with low libido may actually be able to achieve and maintain erections. They just have lost the desire for sex.
Often, the problem is under-reported in men because they think that there is something really wrong with them since men are supposed to want to have sex all the time. Even women with partners suffering from low sex drive do not talk about it with their friends or the doctor. Here again, the woman thinks that there must be something terribly wrong with her that her partner does not desire to have sex with her.
However, the truth is that men do not want to have sex all the time. They may also suffer from low libido and that too for the same reasons as women.
Causes of Low Libido in Men
The medical diagnosis of men with low libido is hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). The disorder, which is mostly found in women, may be present in men and there could be any number of reasons behind the condition.
Alcohol or drug abuse is quite a common reason for low sex drive in men. Obesity is one of the physical causes that may be responsible for the problem. Besides obesity, conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol can also affect sexual desire.
Low libido may also occur as a result of side effects of certain medications. These include HIV drugs, hair-loss remedies often used by balding men, and medications for prostrate problems. Antidepressants, mostly SSRIs, may also have this sexual side effect.
Low levels of the male sex hormone testosterone usually translates into low sex drive since this hormone is responsible for maintaining normal desire in both men and women. As men grow older, the levels of this hormone may go down. However, in younger men, it usually happens only in men who have suffered some sort of injury or illness related to the testicles.
Low levels of the thyroid hormone may also play a role. Although it is quite rare, a condition called hyperprolactinemia may be responsible for this sexual problem in men. In this condition, the pituitary gland located at the base of the brain produces high levels of a hormone called prolactin. This may lead to loss of libido in men.
Levels of the neurotransmitter, dopamine is also believed to be linked to sexual desire. It has been found that men who are administered medications stimulating dopamine production report relief from symptoms of HSDD. This indicates that low levels of this brain chemical may cause low libido in men.
Psychological causes such as depression, stress, and overwork are reasons that are common causes of low sex drive in both men and women. Latent homosexuality and a strict religious upbringing with regards to sex may also be contributing factors.
Serious relationship problems and emotional crisis are often mood killers and may hamper the man's desire as well.
Treatment for Low Libido in Men
There are no set criteria for diagnosing this problem in men. So, just because you are having sex less often than your friend, does not mean that you have a sexual problem. Low sex drive is quite a subjective problem and may vary from one person to the other. If the problem is quite distressing to you and is affecting your relationship with his partner, you may have a problem.
Once a diagnosis of HSDD has been made, your doctor may try and find out the underlying reason. If there are any medical conditions, treatment may involve resolving it. For example, if you are obese, you may be suggested ways to lose weight. Simply slimming down can do wonders for your sex life.
If the problem is a result of a medication, changing medications or reducing the dosage may be considered. Similarly, alcohol and drug abuse, which is a fairly common reason for this sexual issue in men, may require treatment.
For men with low testosterone levels, supplements may be prescribed. These may be in the form of weekly shots, or in the form of skin patches or gels that are applied under the chest, shoulders, or abdomen.
If low dopamine levels are the culprit, drugs that increase the production of this brain chemical may be prescribed. However, you should keep in mind that this is not a treatment that is approved by FDA for low libido and may have side effects. Always report any unusual side effects to your physician or discontinue such a treatment if the side effects are too serious.
There are no specific prescription drugs for low sexual desire, except when there is testosterone deficiency. Drugs such as Viagra, which are prescribed for erectile dysfunction, have no effect on sex drive. However, there are male enhancement pills like ProSolution that can help you dramatically increase your desire for sex. They are of natural ingredients, doctor endorsed, and do not require a prescription.
If the causes are psychological, relationship therapy may be the right approach to treatment. Unresolved conflicts and total lack of closeness with a partner of many years are some of the problems that can be dealt with in a therapy session. The partners may be able to learn ways to communicate better with each other and this improves their sexual intimacy as well.
Sex therapy may be useful if boredom has set in the sexual routines of the couple and what they need is a little help becoming more sexually aware of each other.
So, if you are a man with low sex drive, the first thing that you should know is that you are not alone. It is a genuine problem that requires proper treatment. Once the reason for your sexual problem has been identified, the solution will not be that far away.