Causes of & Treatment for Men’s Low Libido
Low libido refers to a decreased interest in sexual activity. Most men will experience a “low libido” or “loss of sex drive” at some point in their lives. A low libido can have many causes – from temporary lifestyle issues to psychological factors or an underlying medical condition. Unfortunately, because of the sensitive and personal nature of the issue, many men are too embarrassed to seek help for a low libido.
But, the good news, is that low sex drive IS treatable in the majority of cases. In this article Englewood, NJ sexual health expert Dr. Hetal Gor discusses some of the most common causes of men’s low libido – and explains the latest innovative and effective treatment available to remedy this issue.
What is low libido?
It’s not uncommon for a man to lose interest in sex from once in a while. And a man’s libido levels can fluctuate throughout their life. It’s also common for sexual partners to have different levels of “sex drive” at times.
But when a man experiences chronic or persistent low libido for a long period of time it can often be an indicator of an underlying health condition.
Causes of Low Libido in Men
Low Testosterone & Low Libido
While many commercials would have you believe that low testosterone is the primary cause of low libido, the reality is that very few men have a testosterone deficiency severe enough to cause a low sex drive or ED.
Normal testosterone levels will fluctuate. However, adult men are considered to have low testosterone when their levels fall below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), according to the American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines.
Dr. Gor or your doctor can conduct a simple blood test at her Englewood, NJ office to see if “Low T” is behind your low libido.
Medications & Low Libido
Taking certain medications, however, can lower testosterone levels sufficiently to lead to low libido.
Some medications that can cause a low sex drive are:
- Blood pressure medications, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers
- Chemotherapy or radiation treatments for cancer
- Hormones for prostate cancer
- Corticosteroids, anabolic steroids
- Opioid pain relievers (morphine, oxycodone, OxyContin, Percocet)
- Antifungal medications, ketoconazole
- Heartburn & acid reflux meds (cimetidine, Tagamet)
- Some antidepressants (SNRIs like Cymbalta and SSRIs like Prozac & Zoloft)
If you are experiencing low libido and are taking any of these (or other) prescription drugs, talk to your doctor to see if there is an alternative to your current medications that does not cause low libido.
Medical Conditions & Low Libido
Many underlying medical conditions have a negative impact on a man’s sex drive. These include:
Restless legs syndrome (RLS): Men with RLS (uncontrollable urges to move the legs) are at higher risk for developing low libido and erectile dysfunction (ED) than those without RLS.
Chronic Illness: certain illnesses including cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, lung disease, heart problems, and kidney or liver failure often have a negative impact on a man’s libido.
Sleep Disorders: a research study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that nonobese men with obstructive sleep apnea experienced lower testosterone levels that decreased libido.
Psychological Conditions & Low Libido
If a man wakes up with erections, has erections during the night, or has an interest in masturbating but not having sex with a partner, his libido may have psychological rather than medical causes.
Some of the psychological factors that can cause low libido in men include:
Depression: Men with depression often suffer from a lack of interest in activities they once found pleasurable, including sex.
Stress: being distracted by work, financial problems, family responsibilities, or personal situations may decrease sexual desire. Stress can also disrupt your hormone levels, in addition to causing arteries to narrow restricting blood flow to the penis.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): in clinical studies of veterans it was found that PTSD increased a man’s risk of sexual dysfunction more than threefold.
Low Self-esteem / Poor Body Image: Feeling unattractive or undesirable can also lead to issues with reduced sexual desire.
If you believe your low libido is caused by underlying psychological factors, Englewood, NJ sexual health expert Dr. Hetal Gor will be happy to confidentially refer you to a mental health professional.
However, if an underlying physical or medical condition seems to be at the root of your low libido, Dr. Gor offers a revolutionary new, non-invasive treatment for men that treats both erectile disfunction and low libido.
Alma Duo™ Shockwave for Men’s Low Libido
Alma Duo™ shockwave treats low libido as well as erectile disfunction using focused, low-intensity, ‘extracorporeal’ (external) shockwave therapy (LI-ESWT) to improve blood flow to the penis by breaking up the plaque that is blocking the blood vessels. Alma Duo’s shockwaves also stimulate new blood vessels to form, resulting in improved and long-lasting blood flow to the penis. The result is natural occurring erections and improved libido – without the need for pharmaceuticals.
LI-ESWT shockwave therapy was first used to break up kidney stones as far back as the 1980s. But clinical research soon demonstrated that the shockwaves also delivered anti-inflammatory benefits and promoted the formation of new blood vessels in the treated area.
Additionally, Alma Duo™ shockwave ED treatment is a comfortable, non-invasive, pain-free procedure. There are no needles or incisions – so (unlike P Shots) Alma Duo™ does not require any anesthesia. The typical Alma Duo™ treatment only takes about 15 minutes to complete – and there is absolutely no downtime afterwards so patients can resume regular daily activities immediately after treatment.
Men’s Low Libido Treatment | Englewood, NJ
If you are one of the millions of American men suffering from low libido, you CAN get your sex drive back! Schedule a discreet and confidential consultation with Dr. Gor at our Englewood or Jersey City, NJ office to see if Alma Duo shockwave treatment is right for you!
