Does Sex Drive Decrease With Age

Sex drive is a personal affair, and there are no set rules in this zone. Sex drive varies from person to person. You cannot weigh sex drive on any scale. What matters is how you feel about it. A relationship should be harmonious, and the sexual appetite of both partners should be satisfied. Low sex drive in men can happen at any age for multiple reasons. 

Sex drive gradually dips with age and is acceptable. The male hormones are at a peak in puberty and wean off slowly, and so does the sex drive. However, there are no hard and fast rules with the sex drive, and it's only who can decide what is normal for you. As per doctors, men at 50 and 60 can also lead a healthy sex life with certain conditions.

Low sex drive in men can result in failed relationships and affect both partners. Low libido can lead to using excuses every time and avoiding sexual intimacy as much as possible. It will also affect mental health and might be overwhelming. The thing to note is, lowered libido is okay once in a while if you are going through grief or a rough patch. It becomes a matter of concern if the feeling does not go away in weeks or months. You should consult a sexologist at this stage to understand the situation and find the way out.

Reasons for low sex drive

There are several issues that can lower the libido in men. They can be divided into two main categories:

•    Physical
•    Chronic Illness - Various health conditions can affect the libido.
•    Diabetes
•    Arthritis
•    Heart Disease
•    High blood pressure
•    High cholesterol     
•    Hormonal imbalance - Testosterone deficiency can lead to a lower sex drive.

•  Medication

Medicines can exhibit certain side effects, which include low sex drive. The common medicines affecting sexual desire are-

•  Antifungals
• Antidepressants
• Chemotherapy
• Steroids
• Pain killers
• Hormones
• Sleep disorders

Sleep disorders like Obstructive Sleep apnea (OSA) and lack of sleep can also cause low sex drive.

• Aging

A gradual decrease in libido in men is a part of aging. However, you can consult a sexologist to regain your vigor. 

•  Alcohol

Overconsumption of alcohol can deplete testosterone levels and cause lower libido.

•  Smoking

Smoking releases nicotine that hardens the blood vessels and affects the blood flow to the penis. It further causes sexual problems.

•  Psychological - Mental conditions can also lead to low sex drive.
•  Depression
•  Stress
•  Low self-esteem
•  Sexual abuse

All these conditions, amongst others, could be responsible for the loss of interest in sex. 

What can I do? 

The wise thing to do at this stage is to consult a good sexologist. Sexual problems are not straightforward and are usually more complex. A sexologist can do a thorough physical and psychological examination to find the exact cause. Finding the exact cause may help take further action and resolve the issue.

A sexologist can recommend the treatment according to the underlying condition. It could be rectifying the chronic disorder, hormone therapy, or changing the medicine at fault. One could also recommend psychological treatment if need be.

Along with the medical treatment, you can engage in some lifestyle changes and also make conscious efforts to bring the charm back to your relationship. These are the changes you might want to adapt- 

Diet - The foremost thing you should work on is improving your diet. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, fish, and whole foods in your daily routine. You should stay away from eating out and random ordering on impulse. Rather, try to make a quick meal at home. Changing your diet can help you improve your health and enhance your sex drive.

Exercise - Including physical activity is a must for a healthy lifestyle. You can try various activities and choose the one you like the most. Any aerobic activity can improve cardiovascular health. Adequate blood supply and good health will improve your sex life.

Quit unhealthy habits - Excessive drinking can pose a threat to health. Stick to drinking occasionally only to stay fit. Smoking, on the other hand, can cause irreparable damage in the form of low libido in men. Quit smoking today to avoid any sexual problems.

Manage stress - Stress is an inevitable part of almost everyone's life. We cannot run away from everything in life. Situations at work and other aspects will stress you at times. What you can do is try stress management. Prioritize your family, practice mindfulness, and make the most of what you have. It is a part of your life and not your whole life.

Communicate - Open the channels of communication with your partner. Talk about your problems openly and try to find solutions. Do not keep your issues to yourself and make them part of it. Coming out openly will help win the trust, and the emotional backup will help you fight the situation better.

Spend quality time - Prioritize your relationship and make time for your partner. Engage in various activities and spend quality time together. It will make you yearn for more and might help maintain the spark in the relationship. 

Experiment - Try different timings and schedules to break the monotony. Bring new experiments to the table and try different sex positions at different places. Talk about a new thing you would like to try and take your partner's consent beforehand.

Foreplay - Indulging in foreplay will amp up the whole act and make sex more pleasurable. Try to spend plenty of time on each other's bodies before jumping into the act. 

Taking all these steps will help improve low sex drive in men. 

Bottom Line 

Sex drive can alter due to multiple factors. It might decrease with age, but if you want to work on it at any age, you sure can. There is a solution to low sex drive in men. Consult a sexologist to help understand your situation and take the necessary steps. Do not give up hope, and you can own the best sex life with a sexologist's advice.