Loss of libido or low sex drive is a problem a lot of men struggle with, but not many of them are willing to talk about or even acknowledge it. It is nevertheless an issue that can put a lot of stress on a relationship, making both men and women feel anxious, frustrated or rejected. If the couple can’t find a way to solve this issue, it can even lead to the end of the relationship.
While low sex drive is more common in women than in men, it’s usually men who have a harder time coping with it. That might be because men usually associate masculinity with their sexuality and therefore the impact is greater for them. There are many things that can be responsible for the loss of sexual desire as this is a complex problem, but let’s take a look at the most common causes of low libido in men:
Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction or ED and low libido are not one and the same thing, but it’s usually only a matter of time until the first leads to the second. Younger men are less likely to be affected by ED, but the percentage increases with age. Luckily, medication like Viagra can help with erectile dysfunction in many cases. Most men report great results after using these medications, so if you suffer from ED chances are you’ll be able to get your sex life back on track with the right treatment from your doctor.
Performance anxiety
Some men can get extremely anxious when it comes to sexual performance. Loss of libido can occur when they can’t live up to the standards they have set for themselves. Most tend to worry about climaxing too early, and thinking about it constantly can become a major turn-off. But besides premature ejaculation, men are also concerned about pleasing their partners and making them reach climax. But since only 26% of the women report always having an orgasm during sex, the pressure on men is obviously pretty high and that can definitely impact sex drive.
Stress
Stress and low libido are often linked. When stress levels go up, sexual appetite goes down. It doesn’t really matter what the stress source is. Whether men deal with job stress or financial stress is not relevant. The effect on sex drive is the same. A similar thing happens when men have low self-esteem. If they don’t feel they’re worthy enough, they tend to shut down and sexual interest inevitably goes south.
Medical conditions
Many medical issues can lead to reduced sexual appetite. When you’re not feeling well, sex is definitely not the first thing on your mind. Severe health conditions such as cancer or depression can take away any interest in sexual activities. Dealing with chronic pain can also put sex very low on a person’s list of priorities. Other health problems like type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, or high cholesterol can affect sexual desire as well.
A professional writer with over a decade of incessant writing skills. Her topics of interest and expertise range from health, nutrition and psychology.