Decreased libido is a disorder of sexual function characterized by the lack of expression of sexual desire. A decrease in sexual desire can be caused by general diseases of the body, neurotic disorders, endocrine disorders, side effects of certain medications, congenital pathology, prolonged sexual abstinence, etc. Leads to a violation of regular sexual activity, the development of stagnant phenomena in the pelvic organs, depression and serious psychological problems.
General information
Decreased libido is a disorder of sexual function characterized by lack of expression of sexual desire. A decrease in sexual desire can be caused by general diseases of the body, neurotic disorders, endocrine disorders, a side effect of certain medications, congenital pathology, prolonged sexual abstinence, etc. It leads to a violation of regular sexual life, the development of stagnant phenomena in the pelvic organs, depression and serious psychological problems.
Libido or sexual desire depends on many factors: mood, physical condition, emotional background, the situation during coitus, etc. In some people, a decreased libido can be observed depending on the time of year, social status and occupational hazards can also affect sexual desire.
Causes
Chronic and acute diseases of the cardiovascular, digestive systems, kidney and lung pathologies can cause a temporary or permanent decrease in libido. However, modern andrology considers unfavorable psychological factors to be the most common causes of a decrease in libido. So depression, mood decline, stress, mental and physical overstrain, intrapersonal and family problems are much more likely to cause a persistent decreased libido than diseases.
When taking drugs from the group of antidepressants, neuroleptics, female hormones and others, a decrease in libido may occur as a side effect. After the cancellation or replacement of drugs, sexual desire returns to normal. Endocrine and hormonal disorders that lead to a decrease in testosterone production can cause a complete lack of libido in men.
Prolonged sexual abstinence, alcohol abuse, smoking and malnutrition, especially in combination with other factors, increase the likelihood of a decrease in libido. With congenital anomalies of the body, there is a persistent non-treatable decrease in libido.
Libido, like all sexual functions of the body, is controlled by the endocrine system (normal testosterone levels in the blood serum). Testosterone is produced in the testicles, whose work is controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary system. Erection and ejaculation are also regulated by the central and peripheral nervous system. That is, if there is a violation in the work of any of these links, a decrease in libido occurs.
Symptoms
Hormonal disorders leading to a decreased libido in men or to its complete absence are often the cause of erectile disorders and ejaculation, and in extreme cases cause aversion to sex. Often in men, the timbre of the voice changes to a higher one, there is no male-type hair loss, fat is deposited in the buttocks and thighs. Sometimes, with a low concentration of male hormones, sexual attraction to individuals of their own sex can form. With such a clinical picture, it is necessary to find out the reasons for the low concentration of male hormones.
Psychological reasons, such as prolonged repetitive stress, anxiety, depressive states, experiences due to sexual failures can lead to a decrease in libido or a complete lack of sexual desire. Improper upbringing of boys, based on excessive strictness, can cause a reduced libido already in adulthood. And seeing a decrease in libido, men begin to look for the reason in their permanent partner, considering her sexually unattractive, thereby forming psychological problems for her as well. Sometimes platonic sympathy and visual sympathy remain for the orchestra seats, which allows couples to maintain good relations in other spheres of life.
That is, regardless of the reasons for the decrease in libido, a man falls into a vicious circle. The initial decrease in libido leads to a reduction in sexual contacts, which ends with stagnation in the urogenital region and causes a secondary decrease in hormone production, secondary depression and irritability are added.
Diagnosis and treatment
With symptoms of a decrease in sexual desire, it is necessary to consult a sexologist and complete hormonal examination. It is mandatory to determine the level of testosterone, prolactin and globulins binding free testosterone. The average indicators of a decrease in libido are a decrease in testosterone to values less than 11 nmol/l and free testosterone below 0.255 nmol/l.
The effectiveness of treatment depends on identifying the true causes of a decrease in libido and on compliance with the treatment regimen, which is selected individually in each case. The individuality of the treatment is due to the fact that sexual attraction is akin to appetite, which depends not only on the quality of cooked food, but also on the tastes of a person. That is, a decrease in libido may be due to an inflated expectation of sexual contact, often the expectation is excessively inflated. Then the goal of therapy will be to normalize expectations.
Many married couples, having lived together for a long time, have lost interest in sex, as it has become a monotonous and often burdensome occupation for them. You can return sexual desire by changing the situation in the bedroom, choosing a different rhythm and position during coitus or paying more attention to caresses during foreplay.
It is important that, with a decrease in libido, the partner retains the desire and ability to express his emotions physically, it is necessary to convince the partner that caresses are not an obsession, and joint conversations conducted in the form of a dialogue will help to better understand each other’s problems and choose tactics to combat them.
It is necessary to start small: with stroking, light kisses and other demonstrations of attention. During this period, it is better for partners to sleep in different rooms, since sometimes a decrease in libido is due to the fact that people simply do not have time to miss physical contacts. At the same time, the realization that kisses and other signs of attention are primarily manifestations of sympathy, and not a signal for sex, will help eliminate nervousness. Reading literature in the evening about sex or other erotic literature helps to tune in to the right mood while in the bedroom. Very often, literature and films of this genre help to cope with a decrease in libido, stimulating sexual desire.
It is necessary to add romance to hygiene procedures in the bathroom. First of all. The bathroom should be comfortable and comfortable, detergents should be selected with additives of essential oils. It’s not a bad idea to take a bath together, placing candles and simultaneously doing each other a sponge massage.
Masturbation is an important moment in the fight against a decreased libido. It is important to feel desire again, and by giving yourself sensual pleasure on your own, you can get to know your body anew. At the same time, masturbation can be shared, which will help to get to know each other’s desires and needs better. Do not assume that this kind of sex is dirty and unworthy, any actions that are not illegal in nature, bringing sexual pleasure are quite suitable to regain libido.
If the drugs you take reduce sexual desire, then ask your doctor to replace them with similar ones, but without such side effects. Apathy, home life, which is perceived as a burden, become a cause of stress. But, none of the above reasons should stand in the way of a healthy sex life, and none of these problems is difficult to solve. It is necessary to find a different approach to cases that were previously perceived as a duty, for example, checking homework from children or housework. A psychologist, being an outsider, is able to suggest how to get out of a particular situation with the least losses.
Often, as a result of such actions, the spouses get closer again, which helps them to establish the true reason for the decrease in libido: worry about growing up children, the need for professional growth and other reasons. And after the harmonization of relationships, sexual life is improved without taking medications. Although in some cases, men are shown taking small doses of testosterone.