Men’s Health: Low Libido (Sex Drive)

Let’s talk about something men rarely do talk about, LOW LIBIDO. 

Not in whispers. Not as a joke. But as a real, honest part of men’s health. 
Because your libido isn’t just about desire. It’s a window into your overall well-being; physical, emotional, and even hormonal. 

Like it or not, this is a real and critical part of men’s health, one that affects the physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing of a person. 

If your drive isn’t what it used to be, it’s not a personal failure, it’s a signal and ignoring it won’t make it go away so let’s drop the awkwardness and get real. 

So, what really is libido? Typically, it’s your sexual desire that natural pull toward intimacy. But what you feel as simple attraction or disinterest is actually a complex interplay of various factors ranging from hormones, lifestyle choices and your emotional, mental and physical health. 

Low libido feels like a diminished response to sexual stimulation, or a lack of interest in sexual activities. This usually represents itself as difficulty in getting or maintaining an erection, premature or delayed ejaculation, irritability and sudden anxiety surrounding sex. 

Now to the real question. 

Why?  

– Hormones: Testosterone is the primary sex hormone in men. Low levels can lead to low sex drive or erectile dysfunction. Also, an imbalance of hormones may cause the presence of some hormones to suppress testosterone.  

– Stress & Mental Health: Depression, anxiety, fatigue, trauma, burn out and stress are major libido killers.  

– Medication: Some medication used to treat other conditions such as antidepressants, blood pressure medications and all could have an impact on one’s libido. Even the abuse of medications could negatively make an impact.  

– Lifestyle Habits: Smoking, alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, poor diet, and lack of or even too much exercise all take a toll on one’s sexual health.  

Some other factors could be emotional stress and issues within the relationship. 

What can you do? 

– Visit your healthcare provider: It is important to visit a doctor and be open about your concerns. Low libido is caused by a number of factors so it is important to get to the root cause of what’s causing yours.

– Focus on lifestyle adjustments such as developing a moderate exercise routine, eating balanced diets, cutting off harmful substances like tobacco, alcohol or use of any illicit drugs.  

– Stress Management: Techniques like meditation, prioritizing rest, aiming for 7-9 hours of quality sleep could make a positive impact overtime. 

– Addressing mental health concerns: Mental therapists are trained to deal with helping you with depression, anxiety and trauma in the safest and most confidential manner.  

Speak to a therapist about your concerns and get the help you need. Even if you do not feel depressed or anxious, it may be necessary to still speak to one you trust. You may learn new perspectives to handling the idea of intimacy.