Low Sex Drive (Low Libido) And Hormones

Low sex drive (low libido) is an extremely common problem in both men and women.  There are many options available to increase libido, but it is important to first find the source(s) of the low libido before treating it.  Hormone therapy has long been used to increase libido, but the amounts of hormones necessary should be directly correlated to the deficiencies that a patient may experience.  We have put together a variety of test kit options for those patients that may be struggling with issues of low libido and our consultants can work with you to develop a plan that will be focused on increasing your sex drive.

What is Sexual Dysfunction?

Sexuality is a complex process, involving several nerves, blood supply, and hormones.

• One source describes sexual dysfunction as “an impairment during any stage of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual or couple from experiencing satisfaction as a result of sexual activity.”
• World Health Organization International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) defines sexual dysfunction as “the various ways in which an individual is unable to participate in a sexual relationship as he or she would wish.”
• “Any sexual behavior problem that makes sexual expression consistently unsatisfying for the individual or partner.”

 When Can Sexual Dysfunction Present In My Life?

• It can be present any time during life, or may develop after an individual has previously experienced normal sexual responses. 
• It can occur gradually over a long period of time, or it can occur suddenly.
• It can present as a total or just a partial dysfunction, involving one or more of the four stages of the sexual response cycle:

1)      Desire

2)      Arousal

3)      Orgasm

4)      Resolution

How Common Is Sexual Dysfunction?

• Both men and women can have it:
  • Contrary to popular belief, sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent in both sexes:
    • Men: 10-52%
    • Women: 25-63%

Women:

• One study published in the June 2000 issue of Psychiatric Services reported that 43% of women suffer from some form of sexual dysfunction.
• Up to 70% of women presenting at menopause clinics suffer from loss of libido.
• The Janus study reported that 56% of women felt that they were not functioning at their sexual maximum.⁷

Men:

• Erectile dysfunction affects 20 to 30 million men in the United States.
• Erectile dysfunction may be more common than men think.  Oftentimes men are unwilling to seek medical treatment due to shame and embarrassment, so it can be left unreported.
• One study in 1994, the Massachusetts Male Aging study evaluated 1,290 men aged 40-70 years and found that 52% reported some degree of erectile difficulty.
• Spector and Carey found that the most common complaint reported by men in sex therapy clinics was erectile dysfunction.

What Are The Different Types of Sexual Dysfunction?

 ·        There are actually four (4) categories of sexual dysfunction for men and women:

What Causes Sexual Dysfunction?

• There are different categories that can contribute to sexual difficulties.  The causes can be physical, psychological, and/or medical.  There is usually not one single cause.  It can be a combination of different factors. 

1)     Physical

o       Hysterectomy – Removal of the uterus and cervix.  The cervix produces a mucous secretion, which contributes to the lubrication of the vagina.  Nerves that provide blood flow to the pelvic area can be destroyed, leading to a decreased sensation in the vagina.

o       Prostatectomy – Removal of the prostate gland, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and prostatic urethra.  Nerves that are involved in the erection process are sometimes destroyed during this procedure.

2)     Drug-induced

o       Blood pressure medications ® Inderal Lopressor

o       Antipsychotics ® Risperdal, Haldol

o       Antidepressants ® Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft

o       Drugs of abuse: heroin, cocaine, marijuana

3)     Low hormone levels: testosterone, estrogen

o       Our body regulates a balance in hormone production, and any changes in the levels may disrupt the body’s ability to perform certain functions. 

o       Too much or too little of one hormone may cause sexual difficulties.

4)     Emotional/Mental

o       Depression – May be drug induced, or as a result of  this chronic medical condition.  These depressed feelings are a common cause of decreased libido and sexual drive.

o       Sexual abuse – Past sexual abuse or trauma may affect the arousal factor in the sexual response cycle.  These past negative experiences can also influence a person’s ability to express their sexuality.

o       Relationship/Marital issues – Poor communication, chronic or acute stress, and extramarital affairs can contribute to strain in the sexual dysfunction in both men and women.

5)     Age-related

o       Sexual desire may continue into later years, but the ability to perform sexual activities may be affected by age-associated changes.

o       As women and men age, their body undergoes different physiological changes:

§         Women - Decreased vaginal secretions, less vaginal elasticity, and thinning of pubic hair.

§         Men - Erections that are less firm, less volume of semen, and long refractory periods (the time it takes to achieve another erection after ejaculation).

6)     Medical conditions: Any disease that affects the nerves, blood supply, or hormone production.

o       Diabetes – Long term diabetes can affect nerves that are involved in the blood supply to the genital area.

o       Atherosclerosis – Thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the artery walls.  This contributes to a lack of blood flow to the genital area, leading to a decrease in genital sensation.

Parkinson’s disease – Primarily seen in men, where the veins that are necessary to achieve a full, rigid erection, are damaged.

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