What Causes Low Sex Drive in Men and What You Can Do About It

Key Takeaways

A low sex drive can result from physical, emotional, or hormonal factors, such as low testosterone levels, chronic stress, or relationship problems.
Testosterone deficiency, certain medications, alcohol or recreational drug use, and mental health issues like depression can all contribute to reduced sexual desire.
Your urologist can identify the cause through a physical exam, lab testing, and a review of your lifestyle and overall health.
Effective treatments include hormone therapy, medication adjustments, counseling, and lifestyle changes that improve both your daily life and sexual activity.

About one in five people experience a low sex drive or a decrease in sexual desire at some point in their lives. While occasional dips are normal, a persistently low libido can signal underlying health conditions, hormone imbalances, or lifestyle factors affecting your overall sexual health and confidence.

This article explains the most common causes of low libido in men, how it affects your sex life, and the treatment options available to help you regain a healthy sexual function and interest in sex.

If you’re concerned about a decreased sex drive, you don’t have to face it alone. Our team at Urology of Greater Atlanta specializes in diagnosing and treating issues like low testosterone, erectile dysfunction, and other causes of reduced libido. Contact us today to schedule an appointment at one of our multiple convenient locations across Georgia and take the first step toward restoring your confidence and sexual wellness.

What is a Low Sex Drive?

Let’s start with the basics: there’s no “normal” level of sexual desire that fits everyone. Each man has his own baseline libido, and the stereotype that men are always interested in sex is inaccurate and often harmful.

Clinically, a low sex drive (or decreased libido) refers to a drop in your usual level of interest in sex or sexual activity.

Your libido naturally fluctuates based on your age, hormone levels, and what’s happening in your daily life. For instance, stress at work, fatigue, or even a short illness can temporarily reduce your sexual desire.

However, a persistent loss of libido, especially when it affects your relationships or emotional well-being, may point to an underlying medical condition or hormonal imbalance that deserves professional attention.

What Causes Low Sex Drive in Men?

A wide range of physical, psychological, and emotional factors can lead to decreased sex drive. Below are ten of the most common causes of low libido in men.

1. Low Testosterone (Testosterone Deficiency)

Testosterone is a key hormone that regulates sexual function, muscle mass, bone density, and mood. As men age, testosterone levels gradually decrease.

Some men, however, experience a sharper or premature decline known as testosterone deficiency, which can result in:

Fatigue
Irritability
Erectile dysfunction
Weight gain and loss of muscle mass
Trouble concentrating or memory issues

If you’re worried about your hormone levels, your urologist can perform blood tests to check your testosterone and other hormonal markers. Testosterone replacement therapy may be recommended if levels are abnormally low.

2. Certain Medications

Many common medications can affect your sex drive or make you lose interest in sex. These include:

Antidepressants (SSRIs and SNRIs)
Blood pressure medications (beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors)
Corticosteroids
Chemotherapy or radiation therapy
Opioids and anabolic steroids

If you think your medication is contributing to a low libido, speak with your doctor before making any changes. Safer alternatives may be available that have fewer effects on sexual desire.

3. Sexual Problems

Conditions like erectile dysfunction or ejaculation disorders can also lower your interest in sexual activity. These issues can create a cycle of anxiety, frustration, and low self-esteem that further reduces your sex drive.

Discussing these concerns with your urologist can help uncover the cause and identify effective treatment options.

4. Depression and Anxiety

Depression, stress, and anxiety are among the leading mental health factors behind low libido. Depression can make you feel hopeless and detached, while some antidepressants can also decrease sexual desire as a side effect.

Addressing mental health through counseling, therapy, or medication adjustments can significantly improve both your mood and sexual health.

5. Chronic Illnesses

Many health conditions interfere with hormone balance or blood flow, which can decrease sexual function. These include:

Type 2 Diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Sleep apnea
Obesity
Heart, kidney, liver, or lung disease

Your doctor can perform a physical exam and lab tests to identify whether a medical condition is the root cause of your low desire.

6. Alcohol and Recreational Drugs

Drinking too much alcohol can suppress testosterone production and impair your sexual performance. Similarly, tobacco, marijuana, and illegal drugs can alter your hormones and decrease sexual interest.

Cutting back on alcohol and avoiding recreational drugs can help restore hormone levels and improve your sex life.

7. Too Little or Too Much Exercise

Regular physical activity boosts mood, circulation, and sexual health, but extremes in either direction can hurt your libido.

Too little exercise can lead to weight gain and fatigue, while
Overtraining can increase cortisol (the stress hormone) and decrease testosterone.

Some studies show a correlation between over-exercise and reduced sex drive. A balanced exercise routine, such as 30 minutes of brisk walking most days, supports healthy hormone levels and overall well-being.

8. Stress

Short-term stress may cause temporary low libido, but chronic stress can gradually decrease your testosterone levels and disrupt your sex drive. Around half of American adults have such severe stress that it has negatively affected their behavior.

Learning to manage stress through mindfulness, therapy, or relaxation techniques can help protect both your mental health and sexual function.

9. Low Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem and body image concerns can significantly affect your sexual confidence and cause you to lose interest in intimacy. These feelings often lead to performance anxiety, depression, or relationship problems, which further diminish your libido.

10. Relationship Problems

Your relationship itself can influence your sexual desire. Emotional distance, unresolved conflict, or overfamiliarity with your partner may make you feel less connected or interested in sex.

In these cases, couples counseling can help rebuild communication, intimacy, and mutual understanding.

What Should I Do if I Have a Low Sex Drive?

A temporary decrease in libido is often nothing to worry about. Stress, fatigue, or illness can all affect your interest in sex. However, if your low sex drive continues for several weeks or months or interferes with your daily life, it’s time to take the following action:

1. Schedule an Appointment With Your Urologist

Your first step should be to consult a urologist who specializes in sexual health. At Urology of Greater Atlanta, your provider will discuss your symptoms, review your medical history, and conduct a physical exam to identify possible causes such as low testosterone, medication side effects, or underlying health conditions.

2. Have the Recommended Tests

Your doctor may order blood tests to check your testosterone levels, thyroid function, blood sugar, and other markers related to sexual function. Identifying whether your hormone levels are too low helps determine the best treatment options.

3. Follow Your Personalized Treatment Plan

Once testing is complete, your urologist will recommend a personalized treatment plan that targets the root cause of your low libido.

Common Treatment Options for Low Libido

The team at Urology of Greater Atlanta offers several evidence-based treatments to restore sexual desire and improve your sex life.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy

For men with testosterone deficiency, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can safely increase hormone levels and restore sexual function.

Treatment options include:

Topical gels, creams, and patches
Oral or nasal formulations
Testosterone injections or pellets

Your provider will discuss the best method for your health, lifestyle, and goals. Routine follow-ups ensure that your testosterone levels remain in a healthy range.

Medication Review and Adjustments

If certain medications are lowering your sex drive, your doctor may suggest alternative prescriptions or dosage changes.

For example, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as Cymbalta® and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac® and Zoloft® can cause libido loss.

You could consider trying a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NRDI) such as Wellbutrin®, which is less likely to interfere with your sex drive.

Never stop or adjust your medication without talking to your doctor first.

Lifestyle and Exercise Modifications

Healthy lifestyle habits play a major role in sexual health:

Engage in regular, moderate physical activity to boost energy and mood.
Eat a balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight to support testosterone production.
Limit alcohol and avoid recreational drugs that can interfere with hormone balance.
Prioritize sleep, manage stress, and address mental health issues like anxiety or depression.

Even small changes, such as losing 5–10% of your body weight, can improve hormone levels, sexual function, and confidence.

Counseling and Relationship Support

When mental health or relationship problems contribute to low libido, professional counseling can make a major difference.

Individual therapy can address stress, low self-esteem, or anxiety.
Couples therapy can help you and your partner rebuild intimacy and resolve conflict.

Take Control of Your Sexual Health

If you’re struggling with low libido, fatigue, or changes in your sexual desire, help is available. Our specialists at Urology of Greater Atlanta provide compassionate, confidential care to identify the cause and restore your sexual health and confidence.

With multiple locations throughout Georgia, you don’t have to wait long for an appointment.
Call us today or request an appointment online to start improving your sex life and overall well-being.