What Causes Low Sex Drive in Men (Low in Libido)?
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Low libido means low sex drive. The 8 possible causes of low sex drive in men can indicate an underlying medical condition.

Low libido means low sex drive. The 8 possible causes of low sex drive in men can indicate an underlying medical condition.
What the 8 Causes Low Sex Drive in Men (Low in Libido)
What is Low Libido?
Libido is your sexual instinct or your sex drive. Low libido means low sex drive. It’s considered normal to lose interest in sex occasionally.
Libido and sex drive varies throughout life due to several different factors. It is also normal for sexual interest not to match your partner sometimes.
It would be a problem, however if symptoms of low libido lasted for a prolonged period of time. It may also indicate an underlying medical condition.
Below are 8 Possible Causes of Low Sex Drive in Men
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1. Low Testosterone in Men
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone. In men, it’s mostly produced in the testicles.
In men, testosterone plays an important role in the development of male reproductive organs such as the testes and the prostate. It is also crucial in promoting secondary sexual characteristics such as muscle and bone mass and the growth of body hair.
It is normal for testosterone levels to vary on a daily basis according to the time of the day. For adult men to be considered to have low testosterone levels or Hypogonadism, it is defined as Testosterone levels below 11nmol/L according to Society For Men’s Health (Singapore).
The level of sexual desire is directly linked to the level of testosterone. Male hypogonadism is one of the conditions in which the body doesn't produce enough sex hormone testosterone. One of the common symptoms of male hypogonadism is low libido.
As we age our testosterone will start decreasing is a normal part of ageing. However, a drastic drop in testosterone can lead to decreased libido.
2. Medications
Certain medications prescribed by your doctors may lower testosterone and this will lead to low libido.
For example, medication to lower blood pressure like beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors may affect erection or delay ejaculation.
Other medications that can lower testosterone levels include:
- chemotherapy, radiotherapy
- hormones used to treat prostate cancer
- corticosteroids
- opioid pain relievers, such as morphine
- antifungal medicine ketoconazole
- cimetidine which is used for heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- anabolic steroids, which may be used by athletes to increase muscle mass
- antidepressants
If you’re experiencing the symptoms of low testosterone, consult your doctor. They may advise you to switch medications.
3. Depression
Those affected by depression generally experience a reduced or complete lack of interest in activities they once found pleasurable, including sex.
On top of that, low libido is also a side effect of some antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft)
4. Chronic Illness
When inflicted with a chronic medical condition, one may lose interest in sex hence sex drive is affected. At the same time, certain conditions are also known to lower sex drive.
Other chronic illnesses that can take a toll on your libido include:
- type 2 diabetes
- obesity
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- chronic lung, heart, kidney, and liver failure
If your chronic illness is affecting your sex drive, talk to your partner about ways to be intimate during this time. You may also consider seeing a counsellor about your issues.
5. Sleep Problems
One study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that nonobese men with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) experienced lower testosterone levels. This also led to lower sex drive.
In another study, done in young, healthy men, testosterone levels were decreased by 10 to 15 per cent after a sleep restriction of only five hours per night for one week.
The researchers found that the effects of restricting sleep on testosterone levels were especially evident between 2:00 pm and 10:00 pm the next day.
6. Ageing
Men reach their peak levels of testosterone at about 20 years old.
As men age, the production of testosterone slows down. It declines around 1 per cent per year after 30. A decline in testosterone lowers sex drive and libido. Ageing men with andropause may experience low libido too.
Don’t need to fret though, there are medications and treatments available to help men with low testosterone.
7. Stress
Stress is something very common nowadays. Stress can come from work, home, family, or various other situations. Stress has been shown to affect sex drive. Stress may also cause poorer erectile function.
One study published in Scientific Research and Essays suggested that stress has a direct effect on libido in both men and women.
Another study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine done on American army veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), found that stress increased the risk of sexual dysfunction by more than threefold.
Stress management techniques, such as breathing exercises, meditation, and talking to a therapist, may help.
In one study, for example, men who were newly diagnosed with Erectile Dysfunction showed significant improvement in erectile function scores after participating in an 8-week stress management program.
8. Growth Hormone Deficiency
Human Growth Hormone Deficiency may lead to lack of libido and inhibited sexual function in both men & women too.
For most people, elevations in Human Growth Hormone levels cause a noticeable difference and increase in sex drive.
Treatment for Human Growth Hormone Deficiency is available with Human Growth Hormone injection in our clinic.
It is not normal and should not be brushed aside as just a normal process of ageing. There may be underlying conditions that can be treated and managed appropriately.
If you or your partner is experiencing a low sex drive, consult our doctor at our clinic.
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