Low Sex Drive - 3 Major Libido Killers

Sexual libido. For men it explodes like raging fireworks in our youth, but often fades into an unimpressive sparkler once we hit 40.

And no one wants a dud in their pants. 

Here's the irony... As a male's libido is tanking, a female's is raging.  Women actually become more sexually active during their middle years. University of Texas psychologist David Buss recently penned an article on the topic.

Buss and his colleagues found that women in their 30's and 40's actually had a much stronger sex drive then when they were young. Between the ages of 27 and 45, women fantasize about sex more than then did before the age of 27. They are also having MORE sex than their younger counterparts. ^[1]

Kind of goes against what we believe to be true, right? After all, sex dies with marriage. Or does it?

To contrast this, let's look at orgasms per week. For men orgasm frequency peaks as a teen. After the teen years, the frequency of male orgasms declines to about three per week for the majority of the years to come. ^[1] Most men continue to be sexual creatures well into their 70's.

The libido and sexual drive of a woman is more like an amplifying storm. It grows stronger and stronger as a woman approaches menopause. The female system is doing it's best to procreate before the equipment gives up and the impact of aging sets in. Once menopause hits, a woman's sex drive takes a dive.

Here's the conundrum... As a women becomes more sexually driven, a man's libido is dropping. So if you enjoy sex, and are ready to pull your libido out of the gutter and back into the bedroom, here are some killers that are cutting off your sex drive.

3 Major Libido Killers Destroying Your Sex Drive

#1 - Anxiety and Depression

Depression and anxiety are major destroyers of the male libido. Approximately 10 to 20% of all erectile dysfunction cases are said to be linked to these forms of melancholy and mental stress. ^[2]

The combination of low libido and anxiety/depression creates a perfect storm for sub-par sexual drive. A vicious cycle is created. Can't get it up? Can't last long in bed? Depression and anxiety can kick in making your libido issues worse.

Round and round you go, all the while your partner waits patiently for some good loving.

But wait, it gets worse. Certain anti-depression and anxiety medications can reduce libido as well. So while a prescription drug might be helping your mental state, the erectile and libido gains you are receiving from being in a better mood might be getting quashed by a drug.

Libido Tip - Consider a natural depression and anxiety aid to supplement prescription drug use. Supplements like kava, ashwagandha and theanine show a lot of promise in the battle for a better mental state. 

#2 - Obesity

An obvious killer. Not only can size hinder your physical performance and ability to sustain heart-pounding, wild and engaging sex, but obesity can also inherently decrease testosterone levels.

A high BMI, or body mass index, has been linked to a decrease in sex drive and performance. ^[3] Weight gain fluctuates with your hormones, leading to libido issues. Sexual health expert Jennifer Berman, MD, states:

"It's a chain reaction. Your levels of a natural chemical known as sex-hormone-binding globulin increase, which causes bioavailable testosterone, the hormone that stimulates sexual desire, to fall. In addition, high cholesterol associated with obesity can lead to plaque buildup in the blood vessels that supply the pelvic region, slowing blood flow to the clitoris and genitals and annihilating sexual arousal."

Libido Tip - Instead of jumping into a fad diet, focus on a new eating lifestyle. Dump fast food, processed foods, sugar, flour, canned foods, and calorie-filled beverages from your daily meal plan. Switch to whole, clean, natural foods. This will boost health, lead to a natural decrease in weight, and improve your overall health and libido.

#3 - Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation impacts the body in many nefarious ways. Lack of sleep can lead to earlier somatopause, which is the declining of human growth hormone and IGF-1 levels as we age. No sleep, no recovery. No sleep, and your hormones get a swift kick in the pants.

Rest is not overrated.

Sleep helps with testosterone production and proper hormone regulation. And when your hormones are in a better place, your libido is higher. With a higher libido you'll have more sex, and likely sleep better. So sleep. More.

A University of Chicago study found that five hours of sleep or less resulted in far lower testosterone levels. ^[4] Professor Eve Van Cauter, who lead the study, states:

"As research progresses, low sleep duration and poor sleep quality are increasingly recognized as endocrine disrupters."

Libido Tip - Take sleep seriously, and listen to your body. Hit the hay at the same time each night. Set down your phone, make the room dark, cool, and comforting. AND, allow yourself some time before sleep to talk and connect with your partner before nodding off. This emotional connection may just boost the frequency of love making. Make sleep a fun team effort.

References

1) "Study: Why Older Women Have Higher Sex Drive - TIME." TIME.com, content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2007422,00.html.
2) "10 Sex Drive Killers for Men - Easy Health Options®." Easy Health Options®, easyhealthoptions.com/10-sex-drive-killers-men/.
3) "How Your Weight Affects Libido - Tips to Increase Sex Drive." Fitness Magazine, www.fitnessmagazine.com/mind-body/sex/how-weight-affects-libido/.
4) "Lack of Sleep 'kills a Man's Sex Drive', Study Concludes - Telegraph." Telegraph.co.uk, www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/8555899/Lack-of-sleep-kills-a-mans-sex-drive-study-concludes.html.