Is Low Sexual Desire a Normal Part of Male Aging?

You look back at your twenties and wonder if your once-vibrant energy and libido are now things of the past. There are many factors that contribute to a loss of sexual desire, and the good news is that there are certain areas where we can take action.

As men’s health experts, Dr. Robert Cornell and our team understand the frustration that comes with waning sexual desire. While some loss of sexual energy is to be expected and perfectly normal, if the problem stems from your hormones or sexual function, we offer solutions.

In the following, we explore what you can expect when it comes to aging and your sexual health and the steps you can take to regain some of that youthful libido.

Sexual desire by the numbers

To give you an idea of how many men in the United States are affected by a drop in sexual desire, reports indicate that at age 65-69, about a quarter of men have lower libido, which rises to about half of men at ages 70-77.

Despite these numbers, there is some good news: One study reported that 63% of men between the ages of 80 and 102 continue to be sexually active.

Low sexual desire and your hormones

When you hit your 40s, you begin to have lower testosterone production, the hormone largely responsible for your sexual health. This decline is gradual, at about 1% a year, but the loss can add up, and by the time you reach the age of 70, your testosterone production may be 30% below its peak. Still, this drop usually keeps you within normal testosterone ranges (270-1070 nanograms per deciliter).

If, however, you have low testosterone, which means your levels aren’t within normal ranges, this may affect your libido, and we typically turn to testosterone hormone replacement therapy.

Another area where testosterone replacement therapy can help is with male hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), which describes the absence of sexual fantasies or thoughts. Depending on the cause of the condition, testosterone replacement therapy may play a role in remedying the problem.

Loss of sexual function

While this article focuses on a loss of sexual desire, there are many factors that can contribute to this decline, including decreased sexual function. If you’re among the 52% of men who encounter issues with erectile dysfunction, you may also experience a loss of sexual desire, largely due to frustration.

The good news here is that there are many ways in which we can resolve erectile dysfunction, including prescription medications, penile implants, and lifestyle changes.

Loss of sensitivity

When you age, all of your body systems age, which includes your nervous system. In many cases, men experience a loss of sensitivity due to declining peripheral nerve health. The answer to this problem may be patience, which means you simply need a little more time to become aroused.

The bottom line is that humans are living much longer these days, which means we’re going to encounter more health problems, including loss of sexual desire. Fortunately, we’re able to address many of these issues so that you can enjoy your “Golden Years” in good sexual health.

If you have more questions or concerns about your sexual health, we invite you to contact our office in Houston, Texas, to set up an appointment.