LACK OF LIBIDO IN MEN

DENNIS GEORGE

COMMUNITY AND CONSULTING PHARMACIST

What is it

Loss of libido (sex drive) is a common problem that can affect approximately 1 in 5 men and even more women at some point in their life.

Most common reasons

Relationship problems

Stress, anxiety and exhaustion

Depression

Drugs and alcohol

Getting older

Hormonal problems

medical conditions

Medication

Relationship problems

Long term relationship can cause an overfamiliarity with the partner and make erotic dissatisfaction

Performance issues such as erectile dysfunction and ejaculation problems in men and painful sex or vaginismus in women 

Stress, anxiety and exhaustion

Stress, anxiety and exhaustion can be all-consuming and have a major impact on your happiness.

Depression

Feelings of extreme sadness that can last for a long time. These feelings are severe enough to interfere with your daily life, including your sex life.

If you have depression you have little interest or pleasure in doing things you used to enjoy

low sex drive can also be a side effect of many antidepressants. 

Drugs and alcohol

Drinking excess amounts of alcohol can reduce your sex drive, so it's a good idea to moderate your intake to no more than three to four units a day if you're a man and no more than two to three units a day if you're a woman.

Getting older

people lose some interest in sex as they get older, mainly due to falling levels of sex hormones, age-related health problems, or the side effects of medication.

Older men especially can develop low testosterone levels, which can cause fatigue, depression, and a reduced sex drive

As women start to approach the menopause, levels of the female hormone oestrogen begin to fall, which can affect libido. Women can also suffer from low testosterone levels, especially after a hysterectomy. Testosterone is another hormone which can affect sex drive.

Hormonal problems

low libido may be caused by an underactive thyroid

Other medical conditions

 Diseases such as diabetes; conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol; and HIV drugs, some hair-loss remedies, and other medications can negatively affect sexual desire.

Medication

Certain medications can sometimes reduce libido, such as:

medication for high blood pressure, including diuretics

medications for depression, including SSRI antidepressants

medications for seizures (fits)

medications, such as haloperidol, commonly used to treat psychosis (a mental condition where a person can't distinguish between reality and their imagination), as well as many other conditions

medicines such as cimetidine, finasteride and cyproterone, which block the effects or reduce the production of testosterone

combined hormonal contraception (pill, ring or patch), although this is rare

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