Factors That Affect The Male Sex Drive And How You Can Control Them

Sex drive is a complex thing in both men and women. Disturbances in the delicate mechanism that causes sexual desire can result in a serious loss of libido.

If you’ve experienced libido changes lately, you may be wondering what’s the cause. A number of factors can lead to a change in sex drive. Knowing a bit more about these common possibilities will make it much easier to address the issue.

Testosterone

Hands down, testosterone is the number one factor that impacts the male sex drive. The primary male sexual hormone is responsible for regulating a number of crucial processes, including sperm production and one’s libido.

Low libido and low testosterone levels are strongly related to each other, multiple studies show. This is the main reason why some men start losing their sex drive as they grow older and their t levels begin declining.

So, how does testosterone impact a man’s sex drive?

Researchers still don’t have the exact answer. A slight decrease in sex drive is normal as a guy grows older. A massive decline in desire, however, isn’t considered a part of aging and it’s usually linked to a medical condition or a hormonal imbalance.

Also, it’s not always a sure thing for men who have low t to have a low sex drive. Changes in sex drive are self-reported because there’s no medicinal way of establishing what a normal sex drive is. Thus, it’s very difficult to determine the manner in which testosterone works. Researchers know one thing – the correlation is well-established.

If you have low testosterone and you’re experiencing sexual desire issues, know that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) isn’t the answer. The risks of HRT far outweigh the benefits in guys. The therapy increases the risk of multiple medical conditions, it’s expensive and it doesn’t deliver testosterone in an optimal way.

Natural testosterone boosting supplements are a much better pick because they help the body produce more testosterone on its own. Options like TestRX have been studied extensively and they have an excellent reputation.

Medications

Some of the medicines you have to take for the treatment of various medical conditions could be impacting your sex drive. If you’re currently taking some drug, you may want to check the list of side effects. Chances are that it’s interfering with the quality of your sex drive.

Multiple kinds of drugs could be contributing to libido loss, the most prominent ones being:

• Anti-depression medications: known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), these medications are one of the most common causes of a disappearing sex drive. Prozac is an example of these drugs. The good news is that alternatives exist when it comes to treating depression without experiencing sexual dysfunction. A dosage correction may also prove to be beneficial.
• Drugs for BPH: benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common problem among older men. Unfortunately, some medications for the treatment of BPH (Proscar) are known for causing a low sex drive. The drug keeps testosterone from converting into its active form, which leads to a drop in one’s libido.
• Anti-seizure medications: drugs for the treatment of bipolar disorder are also linked to occasional sexual dysfunction. They dampen nerve impulses to prevent seizures. This effect, however, makes sex less pleasurable and exciting.
• Beta blockers and blood pressure medications: some kinds of beta blockers for the treatment of high blood pressure lead to sexual dysfunction. There are many such pharmaceutical products on the market, however, and it’s easy to find an alternative.
• Antihistamines: these medications provide allergy sufferers with relief from the symptoms. Unfortunately, they can also cause side effects. Medications like Benadryl reduce the libido but the good news is that the effect is relatively short-lived.

If you think that you’re experiencing sexual problems because of the medications you’re taking, talk to your doctor. Chances are that you’ll be prescribed an alternative that will still get the job done without leading to side effects.

Chronic Stress And A Busy Lifestyle

Medical conditions aren’t the only ones to blame for the death of your sex drive. A dynamic lifestyle that features loads of chronic stress will impact your libido in profoundly negative ways, as well.

Chronic stress messes up with your hormones. The body produces larger quantities of cortisol and adrenaline. The hormonal imbalance curbs one’s sex drive. In addition, stress hormones narrow down the blood vessels. This could contribute to additional sexual problems like erectile dysfunction.

This phenomenon is known as the stress shift. In order to make the body more capable of handling stress, the body shuts down the production of sex hormones temporarily. Chronic stress, however, prolongs this period. In addition, it affects sexuality in various other ways.

Being constantly busy and stressed out means that you’ll feel tired in the end of the day and sex would be the last thing on your mind. This is normal during periods of excessive stress. If the lack of sexual desire continues for a longer period of time, however, you’ll need to do something about it.

Finally, stress will sometimes lead to issues like insomnia and other sleep disorders. The lack of sleep elevates cortisol levels even further, leading to a vicious cycle.

Excessive Alcohol Consumption

A glass of wine in the end of a romantic evening with a special someone can get you in the mood for sex. The excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, however, is a libido killer.

Studies show that a small amount of alcohol may increase testosterone production but excessive consumption leads to low t levels.

There’s some evidence that the hops in beer is linked to the production of estrogen. A combination of low testosterone and high estrogen is a certain libido killer in guys. The good news is that the effect is discontinued as soon as the excessive consumption of booze stops.

It’s also important to know that alcohol consumption is linked to a higher incidence rate of erectile dysfunction and infertility in men. In essence, drinking in moderation or abstaining from alcohol altogether can help you enhance the quality of your sex life significantly.

A low sex drive can usually be addressed effectively, as long as you’re open to seeking a treatment. There’s nothing embarrassing or unusual about the problem – many other men are dealing with the same. Talk to your doctor first to rule out a medical problem. If you’re perfectly healthy, you can consider lifestyle changes and supplementation.