What is Low Sex Drive / Low Libido?

If you’re experiencing reduced sexual desire, you’re not alone! Low libido is the same as low sex drive – but not the same thing as impotence or erectile dysfunction. With Erectile dysfunction, you still have the desire to have sex, but you may not be able to carry through on the desire. Low libido or low sex drive is associated with having little desire for sex, even if you are capable of achieving and maintaining erections. A low sex drive is sometimes accompanied by erectile dysfunction, but it often occurs on its own.

What Causes Low Libido?

The causes of Low Libido in men can be physical and psychological. Some of the physical causes of Low Libido can be related to alcohol use, drug abuse, obesity, diabetes, certain prescribed drugs, and most commonly, low testosterone levels.
Psychological / Emotional Factors can also cause loss of sex drive. Depression, stress, poor sleep, performance anxiety, relationship conflict, and infidelity are some of the more common reasons why a man may lose his sex drive, at least temporarily.

What Are My Treatment Options?

As some of the factors contributing to a low sex drive can overlap with other conditions, the Physicians at Canadian Men’s Clinic will perform a complete individual assessment together with a full clinical diagnosis, before a customized course of treatment is recommended. Sometimes treatment can be as simple as changing medications or lifestyle habits. Often low testosterone is the cause and if it is low enough, testosterone replacement therapy will be recommended. The good news about testosterone replacement therapy is that research has shown that it does not contribute to prostate cancer and in fact huge studies have shown that replacement of testosterone in deficient patients can actually have enormous beneficial overall health affects and protect against heart disease and stroke.