By Mike Kocsis | 7 minutes read | Last updated: June 19, 2025 Categories: Testosterone
Medically Reviewed by Dr. George Touliatos
Low sex drive, or libido, is a problem that affects 1 in 5 men sometime in their lives. There are various causes of decreased sex drive, including low testosterone, poor sleep quality, medications, stress, etc.
Sex drive can fluctuate throughout your life due to psychological, lifestyle and medical factors. But if it significantly declines suddenly for no obvious reason, it could be a sign of an underlying health condition that requires attention.
Here are the most common causes of low libido in men. We have also explained the signs of low sex drive and how you can fix this problem.
What are the causes of low sex drive in men?
Chronic illnesses
Chronic illnesses like heart problems, type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol can disturb your sexual function in various ways.
Most of these diseases disrupt hormonal balance and some cause stress, both of which contribute to low libido.
Low testosterone
Testosterone is the male sex hormone that controls sexual function, along with many other important roles in the body.
Low testosterone levels due to poor lifestyle or a medical condition can disrupt your life in various ways. It can negatively influence your sexual performance and even lead to erectile dysfunction (ED).
In men, testosterone deficiency is commonly treated with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), in which synthetic testosterone is taken to replace the testosterone your body is not making.
Depression
The emotional and physical toll of depression can lead to a significant decrease in libido. Feelings of sadness, hopelessness and tiredness can overcome your need to be intimate with your partner.
In a small study of 56 depressed males, researchers found that more than 60% of the participants had sexual dysfunctions.
It is important to seek timely help for mental health issues so you can live a happy, fulfilling life.
Hormonal problems
Hormones control various bodily functions. Their concentrations should be within a healthy range for the body to perform its activities normally.
Increase or decrease in levels of certain hormones, like thyroid, prolactin, and luteinizing hormones, may cause low sex drive in some men.
That is why maintaining healthy hormone levels is essential for overall health. Visit an endocrinologist if you think you have a hormonal issue.
Lack of sleep
Sleep is as important for your body as food and water.
According to various studies, poor sleep quality is linked to sexual dysfunction in men.
Lack of sleep can disturb your sexual function by:
- Increasing stress and anxiety
- Lowering testosterone levels
- Elevating irritability that increases the risk of conflict between partners
Sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnoea, insomnia and periodic limb movement disorder are also noted to impair libido and sexual performance.
Stress and anxiety
Consistent stress and anxiety can slowly take away happiness from your life.
Studies show stress can disrupt hormonal levels, reduce libido, and cause erectile dysfunction in men. It not only drains you mentally but also impacts your intimate relationship with your partner.
Hence, it is important to learn basic stress management techniques like deep breathing to control day-to-day stress.
Aging
With age comes natural changes in the body that can impact libido. One of these changes is the gradual decline in testosterone levels, which leads to a reduced interest in sex.
Health conditions such as heart disease, etc., (that older men develop as they age) can also impact their libido.
What’s more, most older men have slower recovery times and reduced stamina that can also disturb their sexual health.
Relationship issues
Couples with relationship problems, like unresolved conflict and trust issues, are noted to have a decreased sex drive compared to couples who have a healthy and open relationship.
When you’ve been with your partner for a long time, it’s natural to get too comfortable with each other. This can sometimes lead to a feeling of boredom or a lack of excitement in your relationship, which can reduce your desire for sex.
If you or your partner is facing this issue, it is better to communicate with each other to sort out the issue.
Alcohol and drug use
Consuming too much alcohol can upset many bodily processes.
Data reveals that drinking alcohol a lot not only reduces testosterone production but also diminishes fertility. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men should not have more than two alcoholic beverages per day.
Just like alcohol, illegal drugs such as anabolic steroids, nicotine and cannabis can also produce similar effects on libido.
Lack of exercise
Being inactive is detrimental to health in many ways.
It can lead to life-threatening health problems such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity, all of which can contribute to low libido by disturbing body processes, causing hormonal imbalances, and reducing energy levels.
Over-exercising can also produce a similar effect. Hence, learn to maintain a balance.
Get at least two hours of moderate intensity exercise per week.
Lack of self-confidence
Not trusting yourself or feeling insecure can have a significant impact on your sex drive. Low self-confidence can lead to anxiety about your appearance, performance, or the way you’re perceived by your partner.
Your negative thoughts about your own self can hinder your ability to relax and enjoy intimacy.
It is important to feel good about yourself if you want to foster a healthy sexual connection.
Certain medications
Some medicines can reduce your sex hormones; hence, your sex drive. These include:
- Anti-depressants
- High blood pressure medicine
- Cancer treatments (chemotherapy and radiotherapy)
- Seizure medications
- Psychosis medicines
- Ketoconazole (an antifungal medication)
- Opioid pain relievers
Talk to your doctor if you think your medications are decreasing your sex drive. They may prescribe alternatives that do not impact libido negatively.
How to tell if you have a low sex drive?
Men with loss of libido may experience related symptoms, such as:
- Decreased interest in sexual activity
- Feeling little or no desire for intimacy
- Avoiding sexual encounters, even when the opportunity arises
- Reduced frequency of sexual fantasies or thoughts
- Feeling disconnected or uninterested in your partner
How to fix low sex drive in men?
The solution for low sex drive depends on its cause. You will need to get rid of the root cause to treat reduced libido – a side effect of that root cause.
For instance, if your decreased libido is because of relationship issues, talking to a relationship counsellor may assist in resolving conflicts, improving communication, and rebuilding trust. All of this can help restore emotional and physical intimacy.
Similarly, if it is because of low testosterone levels, treatments like testosterone replacement therapy may be the right solution.
Your doctor will assess your symptoms and diagnose low testosterone with the help of testosterone blood tests, etc. They may initially ask you to try natural ways to boost testosterone, like making positive lifestyle changes.
If these methods do not work, they may prescribe TRT for men. They will evaluate the pros and cons of TRT for your particular case. They will prescribe hormone replacement therapy if they think you are the right candidate for it.
You can administer testosterone in various forms such as injections, testosterone creams, gels, patches and tablets based on what your doctor determines is the right TRT treatment option for you.
FAQs about low libido in men
Is my sex drive low?
If you are noticing a consistent decrease in your sexual desire, you may be dealing with a low sex drive. It can be caused by multiple factors, as explained above. Discuss your symptoms of low libido with your healthcare provider to diagnose the cause and figure out a solution.
Why is my sex drive so low as a male?
You can have a reduced sex drive because of hormonal, psychological, medical and lifestyle-related factors.
Can lack of sleep cause low sex drive?
Yes, sleep deprivation can affect your hormonal balance, cause stress and irritability, leading to a low interest in sexual activities.
Can low iron cause lack of sex drive?
Yes, studies show that iron deficiency (anaemia) can make individuals less interested in sex.
Does vasectomy lower sex drive?
Vasectomy does not have a direct impact on sex drive, but the hormone imbalance that it causes can lead to changes in libido and sex life.
Summing it up
Low libido can lower your self-esteem and disturb intimate relationships. That is why you should identify its underlying cause and then fix it with the help of a medical professional.
If you’re ready to fight your reduced libido caused by low testosterone, get in touch with a medical professional who specialises in issues relating to testosterone.
At Balance My Hormones, we provide tailored TRT treatment plans in the UK to help men alleviate their symptoms and improve quality of life. Book a free consultation with us to find proven solutions today!
References
Clark, R., Newman, R., Silverberg, B. and Partin, M., 2025. Male Sexual Disorders: Infertility and Low Libido. FP essentials, 552, pp.7-12.
Herkommer, K., Meissner, V.H., Dinkel, A., Jahnen, M., Schiele, S., Kron, M., Ankerst, D.P. and Gschwend, J.E., 2024. Prevalence, lifestyle, and risk factors of erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and low libido in middle‐aged men: first results of the Bavarian Men’s Health‐Study. Andrology, 12(4), pp.801-808.
Neto, R.P., Nunes, R.D.S.S., Nascimento, B.C., Neto, C.M.B., de Bessa Junior, J., Srougi, M. and Nahas, W.C., 2022. Correlation between libido and testosterone: estradiol ratio in men with sexual dysfunction. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 19(5), p.S232.
https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/sexual-and-reproductive/loss-of-libido/
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About the Author: Mike Kocsis
Mike Kocsis has an MBA with a focus on healthcare administration and is an entrepreneur and medical case manager for Balance My Hormones which offers medical services in the UK and Europe. Mike has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector, much of that working with people who have hormone imbalances. Mike has appeared on podcasts and radio and is an expert speaker on the subject of hormone imbalance. He specialises in Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and has helped thousands of people suffering from hormone imbalances recover and regain control of their lives. You can follow him on LinkedIn and on the Balance My Hormones YouTube Channel.
Last update: June 19th, 2025
