Men’s Low Libido: Causes, Symptoms & How to Regain Your Drive
A healthy sex drive can improve men’s confidence levels, mood, and connection to their relationships. (1) When a man’s libido starts to dip, it can affect more than just confidence and performance in the bedroom; it can also significantly impact mental health.Men’s low libido, or a persistent lack of sexual desire, is more common than many realize. While it's natural for sex drive to vary over time, prolonged or unexplained changes may point to an underlying issue that deserves attention. Although there is no exact measurement to define low libido, a loss of libido can sometimes contribute to or exacerbate depression, anxiety, relationship stress, or even cause physical issues. (2)In this guide, we’ll help you understand the most common causes of low sex drive in men, signs to watch for, and both natural and clinical steps you can take to help restore your desire and performance. You’ll also learn how Gameday Men’s Health supports men with personalized, hormone-based care to help them regain their sex drive and feel like themselves again.
Causes of Low Libido in Men
Low libido is rarely the result of a single issue. More often, it’s a combination of hormonal, psychological, medical, and lifestyle factors that influence sexual desire. Understanding these causes is the first step toward finding an effective solution.
Hormonal Causes
Low testosterone is one of the most common biological contributors to low sex drive in men. Testosterone plays a key role in regulating libido, mood, muscle mass, and energy levels. When levels drop, so can your desire for sex. Adult males are considered to have low T if they fall below 300 nanograms per deciliter. (3) Other hormonal imbalances—such as elevated cortisol (the stress hormone) or thyroid dysfunction—may also play a role in reduced libido.
Psychological Factors
Mental health can also play a substantial role in sexual desire. Men dealing with stress, anxiety, or depression often experience a decrease in libido. A low sex drive is often a key symptom health practitioners look at when diagnosing depression. (4)Relationship challenges, lack of emotional intimacy, or performance anxiety can also interfere with arousal and desire.
Medical Conditions And Medications
Certain chronic illnesses—such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or obesity—can lower libido directly or through the medications used to treat them. Medications that can lead to low libido include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), blood pressure medications, certain H2 blockers, heart failure medications, opioids, and some cancer treatments. Consult your doctor if you suspect a medication may be affecting your sex drive.
Lifestyle Contributors
Sleep deprivation, excessive alcohol or drug use, lack of exercise, and poor nutrition can all impact hormone levels and blood flow, making it harder to maintain a healthy sex drive. Obesity, in particular, is strongly linked to hormonal disruptions like low testosterone. Studies have shown that obese men are nearly nine times as likely to suffer from hypogonadism (low T) than non-obese men. (5)
Symptoms and When to Seek Help
Libido is about more than just physical arousal; it also reflects mental engagement and desire, which are indicators of a healthy sex drive. When men’s libido is low, it can manifest in several ways.Common signs of low libido in males include:
- Reduced interest in sex and/or fewer sexual thoughts or fantasies
- Difficulty becoming aroused, even with stimulation
- Reduced frequency of sexual activity
- Erectile dysfunction
- Relationship tension
If you notice any of these symptoms persisting for several weeks, or if they begin to have negative effects on your mental or emotional health, or your relationships, it may be time to seek help from a medical professional. It is especially important to seek professional help if these issues are compounded by mood swings, irritability, loss of motivation, fatigue, or low energy.
Medical and Professional Treatments
If you’re dealing with low libido, medical guidance from a licensed practitioner, such as those at Gameday Men’s Health, can help you get back on track.Treatment options vary depending on age, health history, current medications, specific symptoms, and several other factors.
Hormone Testing and Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
Low testosterone is a leading driver of decreased sex drive in men. At Gameday Men’s Health, we offer simple, in-clinic hormone testing to identify whether low T is playing a role. If low T is shown to be a leading factor in reduced libido, our personalized TRT programs can help restore your testosterone levels. Men who engage in our TRT program often report improved libido and sexual desire, increased energy, improved muscle tone, and enhanced mood and motivation. Effects on libido can often be seen after just 3-4 weeks of treatment. (6)
Specific Medications
If erectile dysfunction is present alongside low libido, PDE5 inhibitors (such as Viagra or Cialis) may be prescribed. These medications don’t increase desire on their own but they can help remove one barrier that may be causing increased anxiety and preventing peak sexual desire and performance.
Therapy and Counseling
If psychological or relationship issues are contributing to low sex drive, therapy (individual or couples-based) can be effective. Professional therapy provides a safe space to address stress, intimacy issues, and confidence concerns, and to develop solutions that may naturally increase libido.
Natural Ways to Improve Libido
Although medical treatments can be highly effective when dosed and administered by a professional, there are also several natural strategies that may help restore a healthy sex drive. These strategies are particularly effective when low libido is linked to stress, sleep, or lifestyle habits.
- Prioritize sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours per night to support testosterone production and brain health.
- Eat for hormone health: Include foods rich in zinc (like shellfish), vitamin D (like fatty fish), and healthy fats (like avocados and nuts).
- Exercise smart: Combine strength training with moderate cardio to improve circulation and boost testosterone.
- Limit alcohol and avoid recreational drugs: Drugs and alcohol can suppress sexual function and limit arousal.
- Work to improve or enhance emotional intimacy: Practice open communication with your partner and, if needed, engage in therapy to help strengthen emotional and sexual bonds and increase desire.
How Gameday Men's Health Helps
At Gameday, we know how frustrating it can be to feel disconnected from your sex drive. Our clinics are designed specifically for men, offering a relaxed, judgment-free space to address hormonal health, sexual function, and vitality.We start with fast, accurate hormone testing to uncover the root causes of low libido. From there, we offer individualized testosterone replacement therapy protocols to optimize your T levels, along with wellness coaching and referrals for counseling support when needed.Our goal is to help you regain not only your sex drive, but also your energy, motivation, and confidence.
Reclaiming Your Drive Starts with the Right Support
Low libido can be a complex issue for men, with a variety of potential causes including hormonal imbalance, lifestyle habits, medical conditions, and psychological factors. While it can be frustrating and isolating, it’s important to know that solutions for lack of libido are readily available and highly effective when properly diagnosed and managed.By combining smart lifestyle changes with medical insight and targeted treatment, most men can successfully restore their sex drive and improve overall well-being. If you're ready to take action to restore your libido, schedule a free consultation at your local Gameday location to learn how we can support your journey to better energy, stronger relationships, and a healthier, more vital life.References
- Associations between sexual health and well-being: a systematic review
- Libido Loss: When Men Don’t Want Sex
- Common Causes and Treatment of Low Sex Drive (Libido) in Males
- Low Sex Drive — Could It Be a Sign of Depression?
- Lowered testosterone in male obesity: mechanisms, morbidity and management
- Onset of effects of testosterone treatment and time span until maximum effects are achieved
