What Is Libido in a Man? Male Sex Drive

While there are numerous causes of low libido in men, such as diet, exercise, mental health, and age, the balance of testosterone and neurotransmitters is crucial.

For optimal sexual performance, there must be adequate and balanced levels of testosterone and neurotransmitters.

Declining levels of testosterone can lead to the following symptoms:

• Low sex drive
• Difficulty maintaining an erection
• Fatigue
• Bone loss
• Muscle loss
• Weight gain
• Mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression

According to studies, men with low testosterone levels are more likely to suffer chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and type II diabetes.

Licensed treatments for male libido work by increasing blood flow to the penis, making it easier to achieve and maintain erections (for treatment of erectile dysfunction) and lasting longer before orgasm (for treatment of premature ejaculation).

Commonly used male enhancement drugs include:

• VIAGRA® (sildenafil)
• Adcirca, Cialis (tadalafil)
• Levitra, Staxyn (vardenafil)
• Stendra (avanafil)
• Priligy (dapoxetine)

Male libido problems that are treated with these types of drugs include:

• Longer erections: Viagra, sildenafil citrate, Levitra, and Cialis are examples of approved treatments for erection problems.
• Reduced frequency of ejaculation: Treatments available include antidepressants (Lexapro, Paxil or Priligy) and anesthetic creams (such as eutectic mixture of local anesthetics).
• Tiredness: Tiredness in bed can be caused by several factors, including dehydration or lack of salt, iron, vitamin D, B12, or overall hemoglobin. Treatment involves addressing the underlying cause.

However, these medications are not suitable for everyone, especially if you have heart problems, low blood pressure, or currently on nitrates.

Male enhancement pills contain a variety of herbs, and companies often make claims about their ability to increase penis size or improve sexual performance. 

However, there is no medical evidence to support these claims. Consult your doctor before taking male enhancement pills.

Herbal testosterone boosters are supplements that are believed to raise testosterone levels. 

Although studies have proven that testosterone boosters work to some extent, the FDA reports that it is only the zinc in these medications that is responsible for raising testosterone levels. Other studies have shown that most of these products do not affect testosterone levels, and or only provide effects that last less than a month.