madman
Super Moderator
Assessing the Decline in Libido: Hormonal Complexity, Vascular Health, and Psychosocial Stress - The Boca Raton Tribune
A Drop in Sexual Drive Among Both Men and Women in Middle Age Is Rarely Solely Due to Plummeting Hormone Levels; Clinicians Point to Erectile Dysfunction, Sleep Disruption, and the Overwhelming Influence of Relationship Quality and Mental Load. A notable decrease in sexual desire, or libido, is...
www.bocaratontribune.com
ED is multifactorial and vascular issues are the most common cause.
T plays a small role.
* only about 5% or less of erectile dysfunction is caused by hormone imbalances like a testosterone deficiency, surprisingly but its true because it has a smaller role with erections
* most erectile dysfunction is caused by vascular issues so vascular is the most common cause because many men have high blood pressure, cholesterol issues, heart disease and blood flow problems or even obesity which impedes blood flow, diabetes lots of different things
Stop getting caught up on T, DHT, estradiol let alone the myth that one needs high FT/DHT!
As I have stressed numerous times on the forum over the years ED and libido are complex and multifactorial.
* Getting quality sleep, minimizing stress (physical/mental), following a healthy diet, exercising/staying active, improving overall vascular health will have a far bigger impact than jacking up your trough FT!
Stop listening to all the half-wits stinking up those so called mens health/HRT forums pushing that more T is better for libido/erectile function BULL S**T!
NO there is a PLATEAU EFFECT!
* A notable decrease in sexual desire, or libido, is a common phenomenon for both men and women in middle age, but the underlying causes are complex, frequently extending beyond simple hormonal deficits.
* E.D. often stems from underlying systemic health issues, including hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Dr. Shindel emphasized the strong connection between vascular health and sexual function: “Whatever is good for your heart is good for your penis, and it’s going to be good for your libido, too,”
* The future of sexual wellness guidance will likely emphasize a holistic approach, moving beyond simplistic hormonal fixes to fully integrate cardiovascular health, mental well-being, and relationship dynamics.
A Drop in Sexual Drive Among Both Men and Women in Middle Age Is Rarely Solely Due to Plummeting Hormone Levels; Clinicians Point to Erectile Dysfunction, Sleep Disruption, and the Overwhelming Influence of Relationship Quality and Mental Load.
A notable decrease in sexual desire, or libido, is a common phenomenon for both men and women in middle age, but the underlying causes are complex, frequently extending beyond simple hormonal deficits. While fluctuations in estrogen and testosterone levels are natural with aging, medical research increasingly points to interconnected factors—including vascular health, sleep quality, and significant psychosocial stressors—as primary determinants of declining sex drive, according to experts in urology and endocrinology, as published in the original article.
Testosterone and Erectile Dysfunction: Male Sexual Health
For men, concerns often center on hormones. Low testosterone levels do naturally decline with age; however, Dr. Shalender Bhasin, an endocrinologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston who specializes in testosterone therapy, stated that “most men will continue to retain normal levels throughout life,” as published in the original article.The true prevalence of clinically low testosterone, or hypogonadism, is difficult to ascertain, with estimates cited by the American Urological Association spanning from 2 to 50 percent of men across all ages, narrowing to a range of 4 to 12 percent for middle-aged men. For those confirmed to have hypogonadism, testosterone therapy can effectively alleviate symptoms that include low libido, depression, fatigue, and decreased muscle mass.
For men who do not have hypogonadism, the safety and benefit of testosterone therapy remain unclear, largely because the treatment has not been tested in this population through large-scale clinical trials.
Beyond hormones, erectile dysfunction (E.D.) is a major factor. Roughly a quarter of men aged 45 to 54 experience difficulty with erections, a percentage that increases with age. E.D. can contribute significantly to self-consciousness and a subsequent decline in the eagerness to engage in sexual activity, noted Dr. Alan Shindel, a professor of urology at the University of California, San Francisco, as published in the original article.
E.D. often stems from underlying systemic health issues, including hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Dr. Shindel emphasized the strong connection between vascular health and sexual function: “Whatever is good for your heart is good for your penis, and it’s going to be good for your libido, too,” as published in the original article. Consequently, E.D. can often be mitigated through lifestyle changes, such as increased exercise and improved diet, in addition to medication.
Hormones, Discomfort, and Psychosocial Factors in Women
In women, the link between changing hormone levels and libido is more indirect. Studies exploring the correlation between declining estrogen during menopause and low sex drive have yielded no clear or consistent findings, and Dr. Holly Thomas, an assistant professor of medicine and clinical and translational science at the University of Pittsburgh, stated that treatment with estrogen hormone therapy does not appear to increase sex drive directly, as published in the original article.However, specific symptoms arising from hormonal shifts can impact desire. Women who experience frequent hot flashes and sleep disruption are more likely to report low libido. Furthermore, vaginal dryness, a consequence of estrogen decline, can make intercourse painful, rendering sex undesirable. Treating these specific physical symptoms, such as dryness and hot flashes, can improve a woman’s overall well-being and, consequently, their interest in sex.
Dr. Thomas asserted that psychosocial factors likely play a larger role in female sexual desire. Research indicates that relationship quality, chronic fatigue, stress, and other health issues, including depression, all significantly influence the sex drive of postmenopausal women. She explained the mental bandwidth component: “When you have mental bandwidth that’s being taken up by stressors, it makes sense that you may not have as much mental bandwidth to think about intimacy,” as published in the original article.
The Importance of Open Dialogue and Professional Support
While psychosocial issues are often readily accepted as causes of decreased female libido, Dr. Shindel noted that men may “have trouble accepting that there’s any psychosocial aspect to sexual concerns,” as published in the original article. He stressed the importance of normalizing these discussions for men, acknowledging the pervasive influence of stress and mental load on sexual function across both genders.For individuals concerned about a decline in sexual drive, experts recommend an open dialogue with one’s partner and a consultation with a specialist, such as a urologist (for men) or a gynecologist (for women), to rule out or treat any underlying physical health concerns. Seeking guidance from a qualified sex therapist is also recommended for addressing psychosocial or relationship-based components.
Future Outlook: Integrating Holistic Health into Sexual Wellness
The future of sexual wellness guidance will likely emphasize a holistic approach, moving beyond simplistic hormonal fixes to fully integrate cardiovascular health, mental well-being, and relationship dynamics. Given that libido, while tending to decrease with age, “never goes away,” according to Dr. Shindel, the message remains one of sustained opportunity: “You’re never too old for sex,” as published in the original article. This perspective underscores a movement toward recognizing sexual health as a lifelong component of overall wellness that is actively manageable through attention to both physiological and psychological stressors.
The Truth About Testosterone and Your Libido
Testosterone might not do as much for your libido as people think it does. Here's what this hormone does and doesn't do for your sex drive.
As an expert on andrology and sexual dysfunctions, urologist Andrew Y. Sun, M.D., sees plenty of patients who’re struggling with low libido. And most are pretty sure they already know why: They must have low testosterone levels. Even if it turns out they don’t, “most of them still strongly believe that increasing their testosterone levels will improve their libido,” says Sun, who practices at Urology Partners of North Texas.
Sun’s...
