Testosterone, along with neurotransmitters like dopamine, plays a significant role in regulating sexual desire. In the absence of testosterone signaling, the parts of the brain that are involved in the regulation of sexual behavior won’t get stimulated.

Both men and women actually need testosterone in order to have a healthy sex drive. In fact, women who have hypoactive sexual desire disorder also benefit from testosterone therapy, just like men with low sex drive. Learn more about the important role of testosterone in maintaining your libido.

Testosterone and Low Libido

In numerous studies, it has been repeatedly shown that low testosterone levels contribute to a reduction in libido. However, measuring sex drive in humans is usually done through subjective means. That being said, not all men lose their libido in the same way when their testosterone levels fall.

There are those who are able to continue being sexually active despite low testosterone levels, while there are men who almost lose all interest in sex even when their testosterone levels drop only a little. Nevertheless, what scientists found is that when testosterone levels are very low, most men experience a noticeable decline in their libido.

For instance, impaired sexual desire is one of the most prominent symptoms of hypogonadism, a condition wherein testicular functions are reduced resulting in decreased hormonal secretion and sperm production. Research shows that for men with hypogonadism, testosterone therapy is able to improve low sexual desire.

A 2018 study on the effects of testosterone therapy revealed that for men with late-onset hypogonadism, testosterone replacement caused great improvements in erectile function, particularly for men with moderate or mild erectile dysfunction. Furthermore, testosterone therapy also significantly improved sexual desire in hypogonadal men.

Another study showed that as men get older, the link between sex drive and bioavailable testosterone becomes stronger compared to the association between total testosterone levels and sex drive.

This suggests that the decline in libido that older men experience is more strongly influenced by the decrease in their bioavailable testosterone. In short, as men grow older, their free testosterone levels play a more important role in their sexual function.

Other Causes of Low Libido

Scientists always point out the fact that testosterone is not the only factor that influences human sexual desire. If you’ve been suffering from a loss of libido, take a look at the following factors that are also known to cause reduced libido.

Relationship Concerns

Before you head out to get your testosterone levels measured, you should take the time to evaluate your relationship with your partner. In many cases, relationship problems are the most common causes of loss of sexual desire.

Fights that are too frequent, loss of trust, and loss of emotional connection are just some examples of relationship problems that can make your libido drop. For those who are in long-term relationships, too much familiarity can also cause a decrease in sexual satisfaction, which can then lead to a loss of interest in sex.

Stress, Anxiety, and Depression

There’s no dearth of research on the effects of stress, anxiety, and depression on libido and sexual function. For one, stress makes your cortisol levels skyrocket. Cortisol is a hormone that, in high concentrations, inhibits testosterone production, thus leading to decreased libido.

In addition, both stress and anxiety can take your mind away from any thoughts of sex. And as you well know, mental stimulation also plays a big part in making you sexually excited. Moreover, stress and anxiety can make you feel physically exhausted, which means you won’t have the energy to engage in any sexual activities.

Depression is also a known contributor to loss of libido. The chemical imbalance in the brain associated with depression can also affect your desire for sex. In fact, depression is closely associated not only with reduced sexual desire but also erectile dysfunction.

Health Conditions and Medications

There are numerous health conditions that can affect your libido, not only because they cause your testosterone levels to fall but also because they affect your physical capability to engage in sexual activities.

Diabetes, for instance, can cause damage to your nerves and tiny blood vessels which can then lead to erectile dysfunction. Obesity, on the other hand, can cause your testosterone levels to drastically decline, thus also affecting your libido.

Certain medications can also make you lose interest in sex. For instance, diuretics and other medications for high blood pressure can affect both your sex drive and erectile function. SSRI antidepressants are also notorious for their various adverse sexual effects, including loss of libido and erectile dysfunction.

Raising Your Testosterone Levels to Improve Your Libido

When you’re suffering from a lack of sexual desire, it’s always a good idea to try and raise your testosterone levels naturally. No matter the cause of your low libido, having high levels of testosterone will positively affect your sex drive.

Not every low testosterone problem can be immediately cured by testosterone replacement therapy, which is why natural means to elevate testosterone levels offer a viable alternative.

In fact, numerous herb-based testosterone supplements and natural testosterone boosters are known to be both safe and effective in improving androgen production. For example, there’s Tongkat Ali, which is an herb with a variety of health benefits.

Many researchers have attested to the efficacy of Tongkat Ali in improving testicular production of testosterone. But what’s really great about the herb is that it can also help with various other health problems.

Aside from stimulating testosterone synthesis in the testes, Tongkat Ali is also known to help improve stress hormone profiles by lowering cortisol levels. Thus, if stress is causing your libido to decline, you can benefit a lot by taking Tongkat Ali. Not only will it help your body handle stress better, but it will also raise your testosterone production.

For those who are concerned about their free testosterone levels, fenugreek is another excellent herb-based testosterone supplement. Fenugreek has been found to inhibit the conversion of testosterone into female sex hormones, thus helping you maintain high levels of free testosterone.

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