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Physical Changes in Men That Contribute to Reduced Sexual Desire

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Reduced sexual desire is one component of sexual dysfunction in men. This article sheds light on physical changes that bring about a decline in sexual desire.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Ramchandra Lamba

Published At March 29, 2023
Reviewed AtMarch 29, 2023

Introduction:

Sexual desire, also called libido, varies from person to person. It may temporarily decline due to various medical and psychological conditions, anxiety, stress, depression, fatigue, and hypogonadism. Generally, men's libido decreases gradually with age. To know more about the physical changes responsible for reducing sexual desire, read this article.

What Are the Symptoms of Reduced Sexual Desire in Men?

  • Decreased frequency of sexual thoughts and fantasies.

  • Low interest in sexual intercourse.

  • Lower frequency of sexual activity, including masturbation.

  • Lesser sexual stimulation by sight words or touch.

What Is the Importance of Sexual Desire in Mens Life?

Just like hunger and sleep desire, it is an instinct that is necessary for a person's healthy sexual life, and it is a necessary desire to preserve the species. Hence, it is an important aspect of quality of life in general. Reduced sexual desire may interfere couple's sexual life. In addition, recent studies show a close relationship between libido and cardiovascular diseases, demonstrating that maintaining a healthy libido could benefit overall cardiovascular health among men.

What Are the Physical Changes That Contribute to Reduced Sexual Desire in Men?

The most common causes of reduced sexual desire in men include endocrine diseases, psychosomatic stress, drug usage, cranial nerve diseases, old age, obesity, and testosterone levels.

  • In Younger Men: A most common cause of decreased sexual desire in younger men is psychosomatic stress. Psychological factors such as anxiety and depression can inhibit sexual desire, and this declined sexual desire can cause harm to many psychological and social aspects of the affected man.

  • Middle-Aged and Older Adults: They often have many comorbidities, such as lifestyle-related diseases, testosterone decline, urinary disorders, and depression. Reduced sexual desire in middle-aged and elderly is difficult to manage. Many clinicians may fail to improve it, so identifying the factors affecting this decrease in sex drive is important for good clinical management.

What Lifestyle Risk Factors Contribute to Reduced Sexual Desire in Men?

1) Smoking: Studies have demonstrated that current smokers have more prominent sexual desire problems than nonsmokers. The accumulation of hazardous chemicals in the body due to cigarette smoking directly damages cells and gonadal tissues. Moreover, smoking causes dysregulation of some brain function pathways (hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis), which imbalances sex hormones, causing a drop in libido.

2) Alcohol: As established by various studies, alcohol-dependent men have reduced sexual functions, including sexual desire.

3) Obesity: Obese men's sexual function can get hampered via metabolic, hormonal, and psychological parameters. An increase in the weight of a body may lead to an increase in sex hormone binding globulin that causes the calculated free level of the sex hormone testosterone to drop. Due to this falling of free testosterone in the blood, sexual desire may decrease drastically. In addition, some psychological factors, such as body image issues, depression related to obesity, and antidepressant medications if treatment of depression is ongoing, may bring about a change in sexual desire negatively.

4) Intensive Exercise Training: Studies support that performing frequent exercises and training, such as completing a marathon, is associated with decreased sexual desire in men. However, strength and the proportion of high-intensity training were the most vital determinants of reduced libido. In addition, greater exposure time and chronic persistence training, which is highly intense, tend to lower libido.

Age significantly affects men's libido through physical and mental changes. Followings are the physical changes related to declined sexual desire.

1) Hormonal Imbalances: Testosterone is a very important sex hormone, which plays an important role in maintaining libido. The testosterone level generally decreases by approximately 1 % yearly with aging, resulting in reduced sex drive in men.

2) Nocturia: Frequent nocturnal voiding is waking up one or more times for urination at night. It generally becomes more frequent with age and is one of the common clinical symptoms of aging. Nocturia leads to sleep fragmentation and disturbances and is significantly associated with anxiety, depression, and decreased daily activities. In addition, nocturia lowers testosterone levels as testosterone production is closely associated with sleep quantity and quality. Testosterone levels have been reported to decrease by 142 ng/mL for every count of nighttime urination awakening. These symptoms all together can contribute to decreased sexual desire in men.

3) Chronic and Acute Illness: Physical illnesses in old age can affect sexuality in terms of interest. The risk of chronic and acute illness increases as it ages. Some examples of such illnesses include diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and cancer.

  • Arthritis can make sexual activity to be uncomfortable or even painful.

  • Conditions such as stroke and heart disease may interfere with sexual activity.

  • Diabetes affects blood flow and can cause neural damage, which may lead to erection dysfunction.

  • Cancer and its treatment can influence sexual functions. For example, radiation therapy can impact the hormone-producing organs, affecting the number of sex hormones available.

Physical changes across the lifespan greatly influence what is considered normal and healthy sexual activity. Sexual dysfunction, in turn, conditions a response of reduction in sexual activity, vastly downsizing Sexual desire.

How to Manage Reduced Sexual Desire Due to Physical Changes in Men?

Many young adults can face low sexual desire that improves over time after resolving stress factors; however, in some men, lower libido may persist, mandating a thorough physical evaluation. Therefore, it is important to consult specialists in case of reduced sexual desire issues.

The healthcare provider will get a good history of the onset date, situational or medical factors around that time, whether treatment is previously taken, and other elements of history.

  • Treatment of Underlying Sexual Condition: It is very important to decide if some other sexual problems are present in some cases because reduced sexual desire can result from another sexual problem such as erectile dysfunction (difficulty in getting or keeping an erection), premature ejaculation, and lack of control over the timing of ejaculation. This reduction in sexual desire may be a conditioned response to adapt to avoiding a sexual situation in which the man may feel that he might fail.

  • Treatment of Underlying Illness: Curing and management of underlying medical conditions that may hamper sexual function is essential in the improvement of libido.

  • Hormonal Therapy: Testosterone replacement therapy can help with low testosterone levels, but the role and outcome are questionable.

  • Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery: In the case of obese men, studies have proven improvement in sexual desire after bariatric surgery or significant weight reduction.

  • Smoking Cessation: Studies have proven smoking cessation can improve reduced libido in men.

  • Counseling: In case of high stress, anxiety, or depression-related libido loss, counseling from a therapist can help in resolving the issue.

Conclusion

It is important to manage reduced sexual desire as it is essential for sexual wellness and a satisfying sexual life. Sexuality is an essential element of the overall quality of life for most people; the absence of sexual desire can lead to personal distress and cause strains in the relationship with the spouse. In such cases, evaluation by a physician is indicated. Thus, using an individualized approach can greatly aid affected men in continuing to have a healthy and satisfactory sexual life as per their personal preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

What Factors Influence Male Sexual Desire?

Male sexual desire, or horniness, varies due to hormones, physical health, emotions, relationships, stress, and personal preferences. It is complex and differs for each person and situation.

2.

What Are the Reasons for a Decrease in Sexual Desire?

A decrease in sexual desire, also known as low libido, occurs due to hormonal changes, such as those that occur with aging or certain medical conditions. Stress, relationship issues, fatigue, mental health concerns like depression or anxiety, medication side effects, unhealthy dietary habits, and insufficient physical activity can also play a role in decreasing sexual interest.

3.

At What Age Does a Man Typically Reach a Sexual Peak?

Men generally reach their sexual peak in their late teens and early twenties due to high testosterone levels. This peak varies individually and can be influenced by factors like health and lifestyle. 

4.

What Are Three Physiological Changes That Occur in Males During Sexual Arousal?

Sexual arousal in males causes an erection through increased blood flow to the penis, elevates the heart rate, and releases hormones like testosterone and dopamine, enhancing sexual desire and pleasure.

5.

What Are Some Foods That Can Decrease Sexual Arousal?

Unhealthy dietary choices, such as highly processed foods, excessive sugar, high-fat meals, and alcohol abuse, can negatively affect sexual health. These lead to cardiovascular problems, weight gain, reduced energy levels, and sexual dysfunction. Also, overconsumption of caffeine can increase anxiety and potentially impact sexual arousal and performance. Ensuring a balanced and nutritious diet is crucial for one's sexual health.

6.

Can a Man Control His Sexual Arousal?

Men can learn to control their sexual arousal to some extent through techniques like mindfulness, relaxation exercises, and partner communication. Recognizing early arousal signs and practicing self-control methods can delay ejaculation and prolong sexual pleasure. 

7.

Does Ejaculation Lead to a Reduction in Sexual Desire (Horniness)?

Ejaculation often leads to a temporary reduction in sexual desire, known as the refractory period. During this period, it can be challenging to achieve another erection and orgasm. The duration and intensity of this refractory period vary widely among individuals. Some men experience a shorter refractory period and can become sexually aroused again relatively quickly, while others may need more time.

8.

How Long Does Sexual Arousal (Horniness) Typically Last in Men?

The duration of sexual arousal in men varies widely due to factors like physical and emotional well-being, age, and individual differences. Some experience faster arousal, while others can be aroused for minutes to hours. Sexual arousal is highly individual, and no fixed duration applies to all men.

9.

What Are the Factors That Can Prevent Sexual Arousal in Men?

Several factors can inhibit sexual arousal in men, including stress, mental health issues like depression, physical health problems, relationship conflicts, fatigue, excessive alcohol or drug use, unfavorable surroundings, and performance pressure. These factors can impact sexual desire and overall sexual well-being.

10.

How Can One Enhance Pleasure in Bed During Sexual Activity?

Effective ways to enhance sexual pleasure include open communication about desires and boundaries, engaging in extended foreplay, experimenting with new activities, staying relaxed through stress-reduction techniques, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, practicing safe sex, exploring different sensations, and having an emotional connection with the partner. 

11.

What Are the Foods That Can Increase the Sexual Stamina in Men?

Oysters, spinach, bananas, nuts, seeds, avocados, chilies, and peppers are known for their various benefits, including improving blood flow, supporting energy levels, and contributing to hormone production. Also, ginseng, dark chocolate, and fatty fish like salmon offer potential advantages for stamina and cardiovascular health. 

12.

Does Sexual Desire Reduce in Men After Marriage?

Sexual desire in men within a marriage can vary over time due to factors such as life events, stress, and health. Maintaining open communication and emotional intimacy with one's partner can help sustain desire. It's essential to recognize that sexual desire naturally fluctuates in both men and women within long-term relationships.

13.

Does Exercise Lower Sexual Desire?

Exercise, in moderation, usually enhances sexual desire by improving cardiovascular health, reducing stress, and boosting mood. However, excessive or intense workouts might potentially reduce sexual desire due to fatigue or hormonal imbalances.

14.

Can Stress Diminish Sexual Desire?

Yes, stress is known to reduce sexual desire. High levels of stress can lead to anxiety, fatigue, and hormonal changes that can negatively affect sexual interest and performance. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, communication, and a healthy lifestyle can help maintain a healthy sex life.

15.

What Is Considered a Normal Level of Sexual Desire in Men?

Sexual desire varies widely among men due to individual factors, so there's no universal normal. What's important is open communication and a satisfying sex life based on mutual consent and desire.
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Dr. Ramchandra Lamba
Dr. Ramchandra Lamba

Psychiatry

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