A person’s libido varies throughout their lifetime. There are times when men experience low libido or a decrease in interest in sexual activity, which could be a normal occurrence. However, going through stages of low libido for extended periods is something to consider getting assessed. However, it should not be immediately associated with erectile dysfunction (ED) or premature ejaculation (PE), as they are two different conditions. What you are experiencing could be due to low testosterone levels.
This article will help you identify if you have low testosterone and what you can do about it. While this article can give you theories about what you might be going through, speaking to a professional, such as our licensed doctors, is still the best practice to determine your condition and what you should do to treat it.
Understanding Low Testosterone
Testosterone is a sex hormone in both male and female bodies. It is the hormone responsible for producing sperm cells and keeping sex drive up. Men have significantly larger amounts of it, which as a result brings upon male characteristics—such as muscle development in specific parts of the body, facial hair, and the deepening of one’s voice.
During puberty, a male’s testosterone levels are at their peak. It will drop as they get older, specifically past 30 years old. The older they get, the more common libido drops will happen. However, this does not exempt young individuals from experiencing the condition.
When a man gets low testosterone, they could experience the following symptoms:
- No to low sex drive
- Body and facial hair loss
- Reduced muscle and bone mass
- Mood swings and irritability
The good news is that finding the right cause of it could lead to the proper treatment. Our Licensed Doctors often get patients to undergo a blood test to measure current testosterone levels, in order to then recommend the best treatment plan. .
Possible Causes of Low Libido
Chronic Illness
Experiencing chronic illness such as chronic pain, heart disease or diabetes can also lead to low libido. This is a result of a number of factors, including tiredness, stress, anxiety, extreme, mood swings, and fatigue. Chronic illness may also lead to depression, which is another factor that affects one’s sex drive.
Taking Medication
Sometimes, certain medication can be the root cause of this condition. For example, drinking anticonvulsants, statins, and beta-blockers could lower one’s sex drive if taken over a long period.
Lack of Sleep or Having Sleep Disorders
Experiencing a lack of sleep or having a sleep disorder can also have an effect on testosterone levels and sexual function. This is because during sleep, our body restores itself and replenishes testosterone levels. Getting 8 hours of sleep a night is essential to sexual function— any less may change the hormonal balance in the bloodstream. Without the circulation of normal levels of testosterone throughout the body, blood may not be available to the reproductive organs which can lead to erectile dysfunction. If you are experiencing this, solutions are available which may help. We recommend speaking to our licensed doctors if this is the case.
Change in Lifestyle
There are also lifestyle factors that could affect a man’s libido levels, such as having too much or too little exercise, being overweight, excessive alcohol and drug use, and smoking. Excessive tobacco use can cause damage to the smooth muscle inside the penis that interferes with erectile functioning, so men can’t perform as well, and their libidos would suffer. Meanwhile, with a poor diet, arteries become clogged, which is not only dangerous, but can also result in stalled blood flow to the penile region and cause ED.
Conclusion
Never be ashamed of having low testosterone. It is a condition that many men experience in their life. In fact, one in three men suffers a form of sexual dysfunction. If improving your libido levels is on your mind, remember that it’s a condition that can be treated.
If you need a licensed physician that specialises in low libido and testosterone deficiency, The Men’s Health Clinic is here to help. We are a leading provider of a personalised solution to your health concern. Contact us today through our website schedule a consultation.
References:
Jones, H., 2008. Testosterone for the aging male; current evidence and recommended practice. Clinical Interventions in Aging, Volume 3, pp.25-44.
sleepapnea.org. 2021. Men’s Health Week: What happens when men don’t sleep well – sleepapnea.org. [online] Available at: <https://www.sleepapnea.org/mens-health-week-what-happens-when-men-dont-sleep-well/> [Accessed 15 June 2021].
WebMD. 2021. Want Better Sex? Stop Smoking. [online] Available at: <https://www.webmd.com/men/features/want-better-sex> [Accessed 15 June 2021].
