Question 1

What are the common reasons for a decreased sex drive?

Accepted Answer

The most common reasons for decreased sex drive include medications like anti-depression medications or medications that counteract androgens (male sex hormones), alcoholism, depression, fatigue, hypoactive sexual disorder, recreational drugs, relationship problems, fear of humiliation, sexual aversion disorder, systemic illness, and testosterone deficiency.

Question 2

Can prescription drugs lead to decreased sex drive?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Most commonly, antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs (Prozac) and tricyclic antidepressants can decrease sex drive [7]. Many of these drugs affect libido by increasing the amount of serotonin within the synaptic clefts of the brain. There are alternatives to these drugs, however. Bupropion, for example, is known to treat depression without decreasing libido. Drugs for benign prostatic hyperplasia, like finasteride, for example, can decrease the amount of testosterone as can birth control pills. Both can cause a decrease in libido.

Question 3

Can too little exercise lead to decreased sex drive?

Accepted Answer

Yes, exercise transiently increases the amount of testosterone in the body over time which can lead to increased sex drive. It also increases the amount of endorphins and may also lead to increased self-esteem which may increase chances of initiating sex or desiring sex. Too little exercise may deprive an individual of these benefits and contribute to a lower sex drive depending on the cause of the low libido.

Question 4

What is low libido?

Accepted Answer

Low libido is a decrease in an individual's baseline sexual desire or desire for sexual activity. This level is different for different individuals and can even vary throughout an individual's lifespan. It can be the product of a chemical imbalance produced by medications, physical illness, psychological diseases, or a physical problem with obtaining and maintaining an erection in the case of men or adequate lubrication in the case of women.

Question 5

Can low testosterone or estrogen levels have an effect on sex drive?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Low testosterone levels in particular can decrease sex drive. Testosterone is responsible for both aggression and desire which are components of sex drive. In the absence of high levels of testosterone, it may become more difficult to initiate sexual activity. Low levels of estrogen can have an effect on readying the body for sexual activity.