Stress & The Male Libido

Relax... your sex life depends on it

Written By Dr. Ryan Krch, primary care naturopathic physician

Remember the days when you could “cut him off” for not helping with the house work? Now, he’s cutting you off, and you don’t know why. Before you start a fling with the hottie down the street, you may want to look at the underlying cause.

1. What are the top reasons for low libido in males?
Low testosterone is one of the most common causes of low libido. Loss of one or both testicles to cancer or trauma is another common factor. Primary failures of the testes due to hormonal causes, or what is called hypogonadism, also cause decreased libido. Stress and relationship problems can contribute to a loss of sexual interest. Self esteem and depression also commonly affect desire, as do anticonvulsant and some anticancer drugs. Many newer anti-depressant drugs also inhibit libido, arousal and orgasm.

2. What is the most common age group of men that suffer low libido?
Low libido primarily affects men over the age of 35. About 1% of testosterone production is lost each year by males over the age of 35. By the sixth decade of life, male testosterone levels can be 50% less than what they were when they were in their 30s. When combined with stress, the loss of testosterone production in older males can be even more severe, worsening low libido. Under the age of 35, a male’s decreased interest in sex can often be attributed to the testosterone-lowering effects of stress.

3. What other options are available to men with low libido, aside from the available prescription medicines?
Lower stress. It never ceases to amaze me how many people come to our clinic and do not recognize the stress in their lives. When asked if they are stressed, patients often answer, “I don’t really feel stressed.” When they are asked more probing questions about financial concerns, how well there primary relationship is, how much sleep they get, or how many hours they work, a clearer picture of stress levels appear. Our practice primarily treats organic causes of low libido with hormone replacement therapy (HRT); but often, reducing stress in younger males who are still able to produce healthy levels of testosterone sees results. This includes increasing the amount and quality of sleep; adding exercise to those with sedentary lives and reducing intense aerobic exercise (no longer than 45 minutes) in those who tend to over-train; supporting the body with proper nutrition; and getting counseling for financial or relationship problems. Improper use of hormones and their synthetic derivatives can cause permanent loss of libido and testicular failure in men as well as irreversible masculinization in women.

4. Is there such a thing as being pro-active against low libido?
Here again, stress management is key. From a clinical stand point, it is generally easier to maintain function than it is to restore function once it is lost.

5. Women will typically blame themselves first when their relationship has been hit with low libido. When low libido has been diagnosed, what percentage of the problem can truly be attributed to the partner?
Before anyone blames themselves or allows themselves to be blamed by their partner for low libido, the question of whether this person has adequate physiologic levels of testosterone needs to be addressed. Years of counseling rarely overcomes an overt testosterone deficiency.

6. Who is more prone to low libido – men or women?
A 1999 national survey of people ages 18 to 59 showed more sexual dysfunction, including low libido, in women (43%) compared to men (31%).

Dr. Ryan Krch is a primary care naturopathic physician. He is a member of the Arizona Naturopathic Physicians Association, the American Association of Anti-Aging Medicine, and the Naturopathic Academy of Therapeutic Injection. He is also a physician with Revolution Medical Centers and Arizona Integrated Medicine.

Midlife Crisis or Low Testosterone?
Many couple suffering the side effects of low male testosterone may be mistaking their treatable issue for relationship dysfunction. Symptoms of low testosterone, besides low libido, include increased irritability, loss of both physical and mental drive, an increase in abdominal fat, loss of muscle mass, extended recovering time after exercise, loss of endurance and strength, and being more prone to injury. Although testosterone levels in woman are significantly lower in comparison to men, low testosterone in women can have similar effects on libido and these other areas.