low-libido

How can I get my sex drive back?

Low libido is patient defined and is usually described as a lowered interest, or no interest, in sexual activity of any kind. If men have a desire to masturbate but not have intercourse, this would not be considered low libido.

Low libido is a complex diagnosis based on medical tests, anecdotal evidence and the experience of the patient.

CAUSES & TREATMENTS OF LOW LIBIDO  

The causes of low libido are varied.  Low libido may be caused by one main factor or by a combination of several factors. So the treatment involves evaluating all of these factors and treating them as appropriate. These include:

  • Hormonal Abnormalities
  • Central (Brain) Factors
  • Erection or Ejaculation Issues
  • Psychological/Relationship  Issues

Hormonal abnormalities

There are a number of hormonal abnormalities that may occur including testosterone levels that have steadily decreased over time or an overactive pituitary gland producing too much prolactin. Below is a list of four hormonal abnormalities that can occur and have a negative effect on libido.

Low Available Testosterone

Testosterone levels have a significant and central role in libido for both men and women. In fact, most men with a low testosterone level will suffer from a low libido. This effect seems to be magnified over time, as libido seems to decrease with age more than can be explained by the natural decreases in testosterone levels that come with aging.

Much of the testosterone in the bloodstream is bound by proteins, which makes it less available to get into the tissues themselves. This is why it is important to measure not only absolute testosterone levels, but the amount of available testosterone.

Once the amount of available testosterone has been measured and confirmed, since there is significant variability in testosterone levels over even short periods of time in any particular individual, and found to be consistently low, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can be started.

It is always important to remember that testosterone from the outside will temporarily shut down a man’s own production of testosterone. If the testes are not making high levels of testosterone, sperm production is decreased or stopped. Men who still want to have children must either bank sperm prior to starting testosterone replacement therapy or use medications such as HCG, which increase the testicular production of testosterone without shutting down sperm production.

For unknown reasons, probably relating to brain chemistry, it may take a man nine months of good testosterone levels on TRT, to notice a significant change in libido. This is often quite frustrating for the man and his partner.  Thus, we make sure to discuss this delayed response at the beginning of treatment.

Fortunately, the vast majority of men will have a significant improvement in their libido with testosterone replacement therapy, even if there are other psychological or relationship issues present.

High Prolactin

What is Prolactin?

Prolactin is a hormone made by your pituitary gland, which is a small (pea-sized) structure at the base of your skull. It is the hormone that make the milk producing glands in the breast enlarge and secrete breast milk. Men, as well as non-pregnant and non-breastfeeding women, have a low base level as well.

Why Can it Be Elevated/Why Does it Matter?

The pituitary gland can develop a prolactinoma which is a non-cancerous growth. The cells produce an excess of prolactin, which can cause breast enlargement and breast secretions. The hormone prolactin has a negative effect on libido. It also usually suppresses the production of testosterone, which has its own negative effect on libido. The growth can have other negative effects by damaging the structures it grows into, especially the nerves leading to the eyes.

How is it Treated?

Fortunately, the pituitary adenoma can usually be treated with medication that suppresses and sometimes ultimately destroys the growth. If it cannot be treated medically, it is usually surgically removed.

Prolactin and Libido

As mentioned above, increased prolactin can have a very negative effect on libido. First, prolactin itself seems to suppress libido. Many breastfeeding women, for example, will notice a decreased libido, which often improves once they stop breastfeeding. In other words, the loss of libido is not solely due to having an infant.

Increased prolactin also has a significant effect on men’s libido because it will often suppress production of testosterone.

Interestingly, and unfortunately, when the prolactinoma is treated, and the prolactin levels come down, the testosterone levels often do not come back up. These men, if symptomatic, will often need to begin testosterone replacement therapy.

It is crucial that all men (and women) with low libidos have not only their testosterone levels checked but also their prolactin levels.

Low DHEA-S

What is DHEA-S?

DHEA-S is Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. It is produced by the adrenal gland, a small gland above the kidneys. It is a precursor for many other hormones, meaning it is converted into other hormones by enzymes.

Lower DHEA-S levels are found in people with Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, depression, diabetes, inflammation, immune disorders, and osteoporosis.

There is reasonable evidence that increasing DHEA-S levels may help in the treatment of depression, obesity, and osteoporosis. There are some papers that have shown that individuals with higher DHEA-S levels live longer. However, this conclusion is far from proven.

There is also reasonable evidence that increasing DHEA-S levels can improve libido in premenopausal women.

How is a DHEA-S Measured?

Measuring DHEA-S is a simple blood test. You do not need to be fasting, and it does not matter what time of day it is drawn.

How is Low DHEA-S Treated?

Once you and your physician decide that DHEA-S supplementation is appropriate, DHEA-S is simply taken as a daily pill. Starting dosage is usually 25 mg daily. It is important that it come from a reputable company that continually checks its supplements for purity and content. In our practice, we simply give it to the patients, as it is very inexpensive, and we make sure it comes from a reputable source. We aim to get our patients into the high range of normal.

Thyroid Hormone Imbalances

What are the Functions of Thyroid Hormones?

The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland, in the front of the neck, below your voice box.  It makes three hormones:

  • Triiodothyronine or T3
  • Tetraiodothyronine, also called thyroxine, or T4
  • Calcitonin

T3 and T4 are the hormones that we usually speak about when we talk about thyroid hormones.  (Calcitonin is involved in calcium and bone metabolism.)

Generally, thyroid hormones are responsible for metabolic rates and energy.

What Happens With Too Much or Too Little Thyroid Hormone?

The thyroid may be overactive and make too much of the thyroid hormones, which is called hyperthyroidism.  It may be under active, and make too little of the thyroid hormones, which is called hypothyroidism.

Too much of the thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism), speeds up the metabolism, and can cause any or all of these symptoms:

  • Hot flashes sweating
  • Tremors
  • Weight loss
  • Diarrhea
  • Hair Loss
  • Nervousness, hyperactivity
  • Emotional issues, irritability
  • Fatigue
  • Insomnia and/or  restlessness
  • Racing heart
  • Erection Issues

Too little of the thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism), slows down the metabolism and can cause any or all of these symptoms:Decreased Libido

  • Decreased Libido
  • General loss of energy
  • Weight gain
  • Decreased focus and mental agility
  • Constipation
  • Cold Sensitivity
  • Waxy skin thickening and swelling
  • Dry skin and/or brittle and dry hair
  • Depression
  • Erection Issues

How are Thyroid Hormone Issues Diagnosed and Treated?

Part of a good hormone screen for decreased libido must include looking for thyroid abnormalities. The usual recommendations are to measure Free T3 and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). If either of these is abnormal, then thyroid issues need to be considered. The full diagnosis and treatment methods are beyond the scope of this summary, but are relatively straightforward. However, if your TSH is found to be elevated, particularly if it is above 10, then thyroid hormone replacement therapy must be seriously considered.

Central Brain Factors

Brain chemistry is, of course, quite complicated. However, in terms of sexual function and libido, it is most critical to understand two of the most important ones: serotonin and dopamine. Increasing either is usually very helpful for depression. Increasing serotonin levels helps with anxiety and OCD but can also decrease libido and make reaching a climax more difficult. This is why men with premature ejaculation are treated with medications to increase their serotonin levels. Increased dopamine levels do not usually help with anxiety itself (unless it is secondary to depression) but can increase libido and make it easier to reach a climax.

Serotonin Overview

Serotonin is produced primarily in the gastrointestinal tract and some is also produced in the brain. In order to increase serotonin levels, patients with depression or anxiety are often treated with SSRIs which stands for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors. SSRIs are used for depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

SSRIs work not by producing more serotonin, but by decreasing their reabsorption. In other words, more serotonin stays in the nervous system longer.

SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. Common SSRIs include: Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), Paroxetine (Paxil), Lexapro (escitalopram), Celexa (citalopram), and Luvox (fluvoxamine).

Work is always being done to create medications that increase serotonin, and treat depression, anxiety, irritability, and OCD without sexual side effects. A relatively new medication, Brintellix, at lower doses (5 and 10mg) seems to have minimal sexual side effects.

Serotonin and Sexual Function

Erections

Increasing serotonin does not in general have an effect on erectile function and there is no increased incidence of erectile dysfunction for men starting or taking SSRIs.

Ejaculation

Increasing serotonin will often significantly increase a man’s threshold for reaching an orgasm. This is a particularly useful side effect that can be used to treat men with premature ejaculation (PE). However, for some men, this may cause a complete inability or significant difficulty in reaching a climax, particularly with intercourse. This may have a negative influence on a man’s desire to engage in intercourse and thus an indirect negative effect on libido.

Libido

Increased serotonin levels often decreases libido. Depression itself can, of course, have a negative effect on libido. However, the SSRIs, even while improving depression do not improve libido.

If a man needs to be on an SSRI to treat his depression, several factors may be considered to diminish their impact on libido.

First, usually he can lessen the effect on libido by lowering the dosage. Often, over time, the dosage used to treat depression can be decreased.

Second, every man’s brain chemistry is  unique. Various SSRIs not only affect  men differently, but also may affect their libidos differently.

Third, an additional antidepressant (such as bupropion) may be added, which may in and of itself increase libido, but may also make it possible to treat the depression with a lower dosage of a SSRI.

Dopamine Overview

Dopamine, like serotonin, is a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger causing neurological impulses in the brain. Dopamine pathways in the brain play an important role in motivation. Most rewards increase the level of dopamine in the brain. Also, anticipating a reward, increases dopamine levels, which causes an individual to act in a way to get the reward.  Most addictive drugs increase dopamine neuronal activity.

Dopamine’s Effects on Libido

Increased dopamine levels in the brain correlate to an increased libido. One can increase brain dopamine levels by either increasing the actual levels, through an oral medication, or by preventing the depletion of dopamine by changing behavior.

Oral Medications to Increase Dopamine

The only medication currently used to increase dopamine to treat depression is bupropion, which is available in the United States generically or branded as Wellbutrin. The mechanism of action of bupropion is not well understood. However, it is thought to inhibit the reuptake of dopamine, thus increasing the amount of dopamine present in the brain.

Bupropion is available in three formulations, which differ in how quickly the medication is released.

Most practitioners start their patients on the extended release (XL). It is available in 150mg and 300mg tablets. The maximum daily dosage is 450mg.

Decreasing Dopamine Depletion

Pornography is thought to deplete brain dopamine. Men who watch a lot of pornography, particularly hard core pornography, appear to deplete the dopamine levels in their brain. This leads to increasing desire to watch more pornography, and more extreme pornography. Their interest in actual sex will often be significantly diminished.

We advise our patients suffering from low libido to significantly decrease the time they spend watching pornography, and limit the pornography that they do watch to scenes which are most like what they would actually be engaged in.

Treatment of Depression to Maximize Libido

Many men will need to be on a medication to treat depression. Clearly, depression has a significant negative effect on men’s lives, and can be life threatening. Depression also has a significantly negative effect on libido. As partially described above, there are several classes of antidepressants. While serotonin reuptake inhibitors can have a negative effect on libido, bupropion does not.

However, not all men with depression respond to bupropion. Also, while SSRIs help manage symptoms of anxiety, irritability, and OCD, bupropion does not.

However, sometimes bupropion can be added to an SSRI. This may improve libido. It also may mean that the man’s depression can be well managed with a lower total dosage of the SSRI.

Other antidepressants increase both serotonin and norepinephrine. They are called serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). SNRIs may diminish libido less than SSRIs (which increase only serotonin, but not norepinephrine) in some men.

Newer medications that increase serotonin have been an important focus of medical research. Brintellix increases serotonin, but at lower dosages seems to have minimal effect on libido (or in delaying ejaculation).

Effects of Erection/Ejaculation Issues on Libido

A man’s interest in sex may be affected by physical as well as psychological issues. Many, if not most men will be less interested in actually having sexual relations if they feel like their efforts often end in “failure.” Most of us avoid behaviors that make us feel badly about ourselves.

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A man’s interest in sex may be affected by physical as well as psychological issues. Many, if not most men will be less interested in actually having sexual relations if they feel like their efforts often end in “failure.” Most of us avoid behaviors that make us feel badly about ourselves.

Whenever a man gives a history of a decreased libido, it is important to ask whether he thinks it is because of the way he is functioning sexually. If there are some sexual function issues, these should be addressed first, to see if libido returns once they have been addressed. (Of course all potential medical issues, whether medications or hormonal, need to be diagnosed and, if found, addressed simultaneously.)

Many men will regain their interest in sex, once they are able to perform in the manner they would like. However, some men do not regain their interest in sex, and other factors must then be considered and other approaches to the problem must be addressed.

Many men have a tendency to pull away from physical intimacy of all kinds if they are not able to get and maintain adequate erections for intercourse. Consciously, or subconsciously, they are afraid that any intimacy will lead to the desire or expectation in their partner for intercourse, and they do not want to disappoint their partner or themselves. Also, many women (particularly) may take a man’s erection issues as a sign of waning interest in them, and thus feel doubly insecure when the man stops all sorts of intimacy. For many women, physical intimacy is even more important than intercourse, and when men pull away because of performance fears, their female partners are particularly angry, depressed, and lonely. It is crucial that men with erection/ejaculation/libido issues work very hard at maintaining intimate contact with their partners, while undergoing diagnosis and treatment of the problems.

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Psychological and Relationship Issues Tied to Low Libido

Men are traditionally depicted as wanting sex all of the time, anywhere, and no matter what is happening with relationship. This is not true! Psychological and relationship issues can have a devastating effect on a man’s interest in sex.

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Men are traditionally depicted as wanting sex all of the time, anywhere, and no matter what is happening with relationship. This is not true! Psychological and relationship issues can have a devastating effect on a man’s interest in sex.

Issues traditionally tied to low libido include:

  • Anxiety, depression, fatigue
  • Fear of physical relations
  • Stress (work, financial, health etc.)
  • Poor body image
  • Low self esteem
  • History of physical or sexual abuse
  • Negative previous sexual experiences
  • Lack of privacy or time for intimacy
  • Current relationship issues (whether sexual or other)

As part of our evaluation of men with low libido, we will spend considerable time gathering information about your sexual history, current practices and interests, and your relationship. There may significant issues that are impacting your libido, some of which you are unaware of, or have been unwilling to address previously. Often, we can help you become aware of and address these issues, while also working on the contributing medical factors. If appropriate, we will help you find a personal or couples therapist who is a good match for you.

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Low Sex Drive Can Be Successfully Treated

Libido, or interest in sex, is very complex and still not completely understood. When low or absent, it can cause severe anxiety, concern, and depression for a man and his partner. It can make a man feel like he is not a man, and his partner like s/he is unloved or unattractive.

It is important to remember that:

  • It may be a symptom of an underlying medical issue, and not “just in your head.”
  • It can lead to severe depression and anxiety in you and your partner.
  • It almost always will have a negative impact on your relationship.

Fortunately, for the majority of the men we see, the underlying causes of low libido can be diagnosed and successfully addressed.

In A Patient's Own Words

I feel that the treatment has been life changing. I am interested in sex and having sex again with my wife. I literally feel 10 years younger. I am stronger and working out more. My old man droopy body is disappearing.

Thanks so much!

– R –

Read More Low Libido testimonials

Last updated: April 2022