In the early stages of a relationship, partners look at each other with eyes full of passion and do THAT whenever they get the chance. Physical attraction and the desire to make love are indisputable companions of a fresh relationship. At least that’s what the results of the study described in the magazine “Interpersona” claim. However, over the years, intimate relationships between partners change, usually affecting interest in sex. But why?
Male libido naturally declines over time. According to a publication in the Journal of Nurse Practitioners, the need for sexual intimacy declines around age 45 and continues to decline over the years.
These changes are usually caused by physiological factors such as age-related changes in blood flow and hormones. Naming other reasons that interfere with the previous intensity of intimate life, can be various diseases, the inability to experience orgasm, a distorted belief in potency and a generally reduced desire to make love, regardless of the feelings of the cherished partner.
No matter how hard partners try to warm up the mood in the bedroom, it becomes more and more difficult to arouse passion in a man in the long run. Women, of course, should know that this is not because they are acting ignorant, but their confusion and frustration is also understandable. Below are ten different conditions that, according to experts, are the most common causes of low sex drive.
Too involved in work
Speculating as to why their spouse is more and more overwhelmed by melancholy and fatigue, women often imagine that some charming being has appeared in his life, to whom he tirelessly devotes all his attention. But the object to which he is devoting infinite energy is usually not another woman, but work.
The enthusiasm with which a man devotes himself to his career can take away most of the energy that is known to be needed to improve sex drive.
Appreciation, money, constant praise and promotions can especially flatter a man’s ego, so he is unspeakably indifferent to everything else.
Effects of low testosterone
Testosterone is one of the most commonly prescribed hormonal drugs in the United States. According to a recent publication in the journal Urology, the level of testosterone in a man’s body declines by 0.4 to 2 percent per year after the age of 30. The reason is the weakening of the gonads, due to which the amount of testosterone produced is no longer sufficient.
But decreased libido is not the only symptom of low testosterone. Symptoms such as low mood, lack of energy, fatigue, loss of muscle mass and even erectile dysfunction indicate a decrease in this hormone. Hormone replacement therapy, stress-reducing activities, and psychological counseling help to overcome these disorders.
Male menopause
Yes, men go through menopause too. The term “male menopause” or “andropause” is actually used in the medical literature and is defined as an age-related decline in testosterone levels in men.
However, there is no reason for great concern, if only because the changes characteristic of andropause are neither as sudden nor as obvious as those that occur in the female body when menopause approaches.
That’s why you shouldn’t panic if your spouse, who used to be ready to do it here and now, don’t even notice your new miniskirt. According to experts, the causes of indifference in this case may be biological rather than psychological. However, you should not pretend that you do not notice that something has changed – you should always talk about your sexual needs with your partner.
Excessive pornography watching
The unhindered distribution of pornography is a consequence of the fact that we can consume it without any restrictions. According to research, men who watch pornography (compared to those who don’t) have significantly lower satisfaction with their partners in terms of intimacy, affection, love, happiness, commitment, and passion.
What usually drives a man to porn?
According to experts, men suffering from loneliness do not feel enough opportunities to communicate with other people, both in a general sense and intimately.
Even worse, a man’s addiction to pornography can have fatal consequences for his relationship with his partner. When porn becomes addictive, it can get to the point where the only stimulus is the porn, not the partner. The neurochemicals released in a man’s brain after a dose of pornography can be as addictive as cocaine.
Studies have shown that watching porn creates unrealistic expectations and creates distorted ideas about ideal sex. For this reason, a relationship with a real partner is much less tempting and much less satisfying for a man.
Concerns about reduced sexual ability
Premature or delayed ejaculation is a common problem in men with erectile dysfunction. It can really kill self-esteem. The causes for erectile dysfunction, premature or delayed ejaculation can be different, but the accompanying symptoms of this type of problem – anxiety, helplessness and feelings of inferiority – can become a serious obstacle in the couple’s sex life.
Erectile dysfunction is usually treated by prescribing various medications and providing psychological counseling.
Health problems
Faded sex drive cannot be equated only with loss of sexual potency. It can also be a sign of other health problems.
Libido is like a barometer that shows a man’s general state of health. Problems in your intimate life can also be symptoms of more serious health conditions, such as diabetes, prostate cancer or heart disease. For example, diabetes can contribute to a decline in male sexuality by as much as 15 years.
Although a decrease in libido does not necessarily mean the onset of illness, it is not a bad idea to tell your doctor about it.
Overweight
There is a possibility that the spouse has lost interest in sex because he is overweight. The results of the study, described in the “Journal of Education and Health Promotion”, show that obesity and especially low physical activity can lead to increased sexual dysfunction: this happens in 43 percent of women and 31 percent of men.
Being overweight and the resulting dissatisfaction with one’s body can destroy sexual attraction – the main prerequisite for intimate activity.
Exercise releases endorphins and makes people feel better. The same thing happens with a healthy diet. Those who consume heavy, fatty foods, as well as foods high in sugar, tend to feel tired and lethargic, but not sexy.
Stress
A constant busy work schedule or financial problems can also have a negative effect on sex drive. In conditions of extreme stress, sexual desire can disappear completely for a while.
Of course, a partner cannot always eliminate the causes of stress or financial success indicators, but she can encourage a man to make some adjustments in his lifestyle so that his health and libido suffer as little as possible.
Self-satisfaction
In other words, your partner chooses to masturbate more often than to share the pleasure with you. He doesn’t feel like discussing his sex life and decides to take matters into his own hands. Some men fear that they will have to entrust their arousal to another person who cannot control it as precisely as he does. They resort to masturbation, which they engage in while watching pornography or immersing themselves in erotic fantasies, because this is how they can feel satisfaction quickly and safely.
When masturbating, it is very easy to get used to strong and intense sexual stimulation that cannot be obtained from vaginal contact. Such a habit can significantly reduce the satisfaction that occurs during sexual intercourse with a woman.
What should the partner do in this case? Again – a conversation and together find ways to diversify the intimate life in such a way that it satisfies both partners as much as possible.
Not feeling appreciated
This reason has more to do with the partner than the ones mentioned above, so she is the one who can do a lot to prevent it. A man’s indifference to sex may be related to the lack of attention and appreciation that his partner could show him.
In order for your spouse to understand how much you admire him, spontaneously kiss him, hug him, pat him on the back from time to time. These little things can make a huge difference in a couple’s intimate life.