LOW LIBIDO IN MEN

   Low libido can describe as a decreased interest in sexual activity (Lack of sex drive). About 4 out of 10 men over age 45 have low libido. Although it is very common to lose interest in sex from time to time because, libido levels vary through life and your interest might not match your partners at times. But, it may become a cause for concern if your libido has been low for a long period of time.
   No one thing causes low libido and it’s important to talk to your doctor if you're worried your sex drive has dropped. But here are some possible reasons why your libido has been MIA lately.

1. STRESS
  The body reacts to stress by releasing adrenaline and cortisol and this can disrupt your hormone levels. If you’re distracted by situations or under high pressure, your libido may decrease. Stress can also distract you and take your mind off sexual desire thereby, reducing your libido. The arteries
can also narrow and restrict blood flow in times of stress, which can also cause erectile dysfunction.

2. DEPRESSION
    Depression changes all parts of a person’s life. It can result to complete lack of interest in activities they once found pleasurable and enjoyable,including sex. Tt's also harder to feel sexual when you're depressed, because depression can change the body's biochemistry and therefore
reduce libido. Also Some medications commonly used to treat depression may  lower libido as a side effect especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

3. HEALTH CONDITION
   Uneasiness due to the effects of a chronic health condition, such as chronic pain makes sex low on your list of priorities, thereby resulting to low sex drive. Certain serious illness such as cancer or kidney disease, renal disease, HIV, and diabetes can reduce sperm production counts since the body is focusing on gettingthrough the day and goes into survival mode.
So it doesn’t pay much attention to non-survival functions like sperm and  testosterone production,

4. MEDICATIONS
   Some medications used to treat depression, high blood pressure , and other common illnesses can lower testosterone levels, which in turn may lead to low libido and cause sexual dysfunction. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing these effects of low testosterone, they may advise you to switch medications.

5. SLEEP PROBLEMS
  You need sleep to keep a sharp mind, a healthy body, and an active libido.
Lack of sleep can elevate cortisol levels, which also leads to low libido.
  A study found that men with low testosterone levels have lower sleep efficiency and also men with sleep apnea have lower testosterone levels which might result to decreased libido and sexual activity.

6. AGING
  Decreasing testosterone is a normal part of aging. Testosterone levels, which are linked to libido, are at their highest when men are in their late teens and as they age erections may not be as hard, and it may take longer for them to become erect. When your levels fall below 300 to 350 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) you are considered to have a low testosterone. When testosterone levels decrease, then the desire for sex also decreases. However, medications are available that can help treat these issues.

7. RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME (RLS)
  Restless leg syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by jumpy,
creepy-crawly sensations as you’re falling asleep, it is the uncontrollable urge to move your legs. One recent study found that men with restless leg syndrome  are at higher risk for erectile dysfunction than those without it, probably due to low dopamine levels. Also, men who had restless leg syndrome episodes more frequently were even more likely to  become impotent.

8. LOW SELF-ESTEEM.
   Someone who feels unattractive is less likely to want to engage in sex, It's hard to feel sexy when your self confidence is down or when you have an unhealthy body image.

9. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE
   Drugs can decrease your sex drive and suppresses the pituitary gland, which regulates the production of testosterone. and too much alcohol can impair your nervous system and lead to fatigue leading to difficulty in being aroused.

10. LOW TESTOSTERONE
   Testosterone is an important male hormone. In men, it’s mostly produced in the testicles. Libido is directly influenced by testosterone levels. Therefore, low libido is often caused by low testosterone levels a hormone imbalance. Low testosterone can be caused by injury , inflammation, or tumors in the testicles.