Losing your libido can feel a little like losing your manhood, and for many older men, this can feel like a bit of a crisis. But a low sex drive isn't uncommon, especially as we age. While more women than men experience a low libido, it's still notable that at any given time, 15 percent of men experience a lack of desire.
There could be a host of different reasons why you're less than gung-ho about a romp in the sack these days. The good news is that many of the causes of low libido are simple fixes, and those that aren't can be addressed by your physician or a qualified sex therapist.
A whole host of things can lower your libido. Here are some of the most common and what you can do about them.
Depression
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, depression is an important factor for a low libido. The main characteristic of depression is the inability to enjoy things you once found enjoyable, and this includes sex. In fact, a change in sexual desire is a key symptom for diagnosing major depressive disorder.
What you can do: Depression is common, and it's highly treatable. If you'd rather not take antidepressants for your depression, since these can further lower your sex drive, there are other ways to treat it successfully. Therapy is effective for ending depression, and daily exercise is another powerful remedy that's been shown to reduce depression. A Harvard University study found that daily meditation can be as effective as medication for treating depression.
Medication
Some medications, particularly antidepressants like SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants, can lead to a decreased desire for sex.
What you can do: Talk to your doctor about the medications you're on and whether any have a track record of reducing libido. If so, ask about alternative medications or natural remedies that can replace medicine altogether.
Medical Illness
Diabetes, hypothyroidism, coronary heart disease, stroke, and Addison's disease are just some of the medical illnesses that can interfere with a healthy libido. The better health you're in, the more likely you are to have a healthy sex drive.
What you can do: Visit your physician for a check-up each year and stay on top of any medical conditions you have. Eat a nutritious diet, get daily exercise, and drink plenty of water each day.
Stress
Stress makes it hard to concentrate on anything, much less sex. It also involves stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol that can interfere with your libido.
What you can do: Exercise and meditation are major stress-busters when you're feeling stressed. But if you suffer from chronic stress, reducing the stressors and learning to keep your stress levels down is essential for good overall health--including your sexual health.
Poor Nutrition
Unhealthy food makes you feel sluggish, and it can reduce your energy and desire for sex. It also leads to a wide range of diseases and conditions that can dramatically affect your libido.
What you can do: An overall healthy diet is crucial for a healthy sex life. Healthy food promotes good heart health and circulation, and it helps you maintain mental clarity. Foods that are great for increasing your libido include those rich in vitamin C, iron, and collagen. Sweet potatoes, dark chocolate, bananas, and avocados are all rich in vitamins and minerals that promote a healthy libido, including potassium, beta-carotene, and vitamin A. Supplements like Predoxen can help by promoting good sexual health and ensuring you're getting the key all-natural ingredients that promote a higher sex drive.
Low Testosterone
After the age of 30, our testosterone levels naturally decline, and this can cause a decrease in our sex drive.
What you can do: Talk to your doctor about your concerns. If your testosterone levels are low, testosterone replacement therapy may be an option for you, although it doesn't come without risks, including an increased red blood cell count and enlarged breasts.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Drugs and alcohol can play a major role in sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction and a low libido. Heavy abuse causes changes in the brain, including reducing the overall activity of dopamine, which is a key neurotransmitter for sexual desire.
What you can do: Limit your alcohol to a few drinks per week, and avoid binge drinking. Stop using drugs like cocaine, marijuana, and opioids, which can have a profound negative effect on your libido in the long run.
Being Overweight
According to Duke University, obese people are more than 25 times more likely to report problems with their libido, and men who are overweight are more likely than those who aren't to suffer from erectile dysfunction. Being overweight can also lead to body image issues, which can dampen your desire.
What you can do: Talk to your doctor about losing weight. Losing just a small percentage of body fat can make a big difference in your health--including the health of your libido. But don't try to lose weight too fast, which can backfire and lead to rapid re-gain once you stop doing whatever it is you're doing. Strive instead to lose one to two pounds a week due to permanent lifestyle changes that include a healthier diet and regular exercise.
A healthy lifestyle is essential for good physical and mental health, and it's an important factor in maintaining a healthy libido. Predoxen can be an important part of a healthy lifestyle, offering a variety of ingredients, and extracts that have been shown to promote a healthy sex drive, more energy, and better blood flow.
Sources:
