Reduced libido, Causes?
Reduced sexual desire or decreased libido is defined as a decreased interest in sexual activity.
It is common to lose interest in sex from time to time and libido levels vary throughout life. It is also normal for your interest to not match your partner's at times.
However, low libido over a long period of time may be a cause for concern for some people. Sometimes it can be an indicator of an underlying health condition.
The most common potential causes of reduced sexual desire in men are the following:
Low testosterone
Testosterone is an important male hormone. In men, it is produced primarily in the testes. Testosterone is responsible for building muscle and bone mass, and for stimulating sperm production. Your testosterone levels also influence your sex drive.
When your testosterone levels decrease, your sex drive also decreases. Testosterone decline is a normal part of aging. However, a significant drop in testosterone levels can lead to a decrease in libido.
Medications
Taking certain medications can reduce testosterone levels, which in turn can lead to decreased libido. For example, blood pressure medications, such as ACE inhibitors and beta blockers, can affect ejaculation and erections.
Other medications that can reduce testosterone levels include; chemotherapy treatments, hormones used to treat prostate cancer, corticosteroids, painkillers, opioids, ketoconazole, cimetidine, anabolic steroids, and certain antidepressants.Chronic diseases
Multiple chronic diseases can cause reduced libido, such as.
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Arterial hypertension
- Chronic pulmonary, cardiac, renal and hepatic insufficiency.
- Dyslipidemias
Depressive Syndrome
People with depression or affective disorders may experience a total or reduced lack of interest in sexual activities.
Reduced libido is also a side effect of some antidepressants, such as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).