It can definitely feel awkward or uneasy for men to discuss their sex life with a medical professional, especially when it comes to low libido or sex drive. However, low libido is more common than one may think, as it affects up to 20% of males or people assigned male at birth (AMAB), sometimes occurring multiple times throughout a lifetime. There are many underlying causes for low libido in males, and regular testing can help men assess for these factors to manage and improve this symptom effectively. This article will dive into the top functional labs that practitioners use to identify factors contributing to low libido in men.
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What is Low Libido?
Before discussing low libido, we must discuss what libido is. Libido is a person's overall sex drive. This sexual desire can be with a partner or through masturbation. Therefore, low libido or sex drive is characterized by a decrease in either or both frequency and intensity of sexual desire that was once there, which can be temporary or long-term. Men may experience less sexual thoughts and interest in sex, even with stimulation, due to low libido.
It's important to keep in mind that levels of libido are subjective. They can vary from person to person depending on preferences and life circumstances. For example, one person may want to have sex every day while others multiple times a year, or some not at all, and some may still engage in sexual activity to please their partner. Thus, understanding a person's baseline for sexual desire is essential in assessing their libido levels.
What Causes Low Libido in Males?
There are many underlying causes for low libido in men. This condition is intricate and is influenced by many factors, such as physiological, psychological, and lifestyle factors. Some physiological factors include medical conditions such as imbalances in neurotransmitters or hormones, stress, sexual dysfunction, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and even nutrient deficiencies.
Neurotransmitters such as dopamine and sex hormones such as testosterone all regulate libido. At the same time, deficiencies in vitamins such as vitamin D have been shown to decrease sexual activity. Sexual dysfunction, as in erectile dysfunction (ED), can also decrease men's libido. People with a history of CVD have also been shown to lack interest in sex. As most know, stress can impact health, including sexual health, as it can decrease the desire for sexual activity.
Psychological causes may involve mental health disorders, relationship issues, or trauma. Mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression can impact the desire to have sex in patients with these disorders. Another factor that can cause low libido includes side effects to medications such as blood pressure medications. Lifestyle choices can also decrease libido, like alcohol and drug use or excessive or lack of exercise.
Low Libido Symptoms
The primary symptom of low libido or sex drive is a decline in desire for sexual activity compared to a person's baseline interest in sex. Here are some other associated symptoms:
● No interest in any sexual activity, including masturbation
● Decrease in sexual thoughts
● Distress due to low libido
What Are The Benefits of Regular Lab Testing for Male Patients with Low Libido?
The benefit of regular testing for male or AMAB patients with low libido involves managing the physiological or biological factors that cause this condition. Regular testing using functional medicine labs can help practitioners analyze and monitor any underlying causes of low libido for their patients. Based on the results of the tests, providers can recommend healthy lifestyle changes, such as adapting exercise routines. They can also adjust treatment protocols to optimize their patient's sexual health, such as modifying supplements or medications to balance their hormone levels.
Top Labs To Run Bi-Annually On Male Patients With Low Libido
Low libido is typically diagnosed by a thorough medical intake, including medical history, physical exam, and blood tests. The practitioner will also discuss medications, sexual history, stress levels, and thoughts about sex. Several treatment options are available based on the cause, and multiple healthcare providers, including mental health experts, may be needed to address all underlying causes. Here are functional labs that are often used on a regular basis by practitioners to manage, monitor, and treat low libido in men due to physiological reasons:
Male Hormone and Thyroid Panel
Imbalances in hormones, such as decreased levels of testosterone, have been associated with low libido in men, and testosterone levels have been shown to start declining at the age of 30 for men AMAB. When assessing testosterone levels, it is also essential to look at sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) because it will bind to free testosterone, making it unavailable for use. The male hormone panel measures levels of testosterone, SHBG, estrogen, and other hormones that can impact libido.
The other hormone that can influence libido is the thyroid. Hypothyroidism, a thyroid condition based on low thyroid levels, has been linked to decreases in libido. Therefore, a full hormone panel with a thyroid test can help assess for any hormonal-related causes of low libido. These hormones are completed through a blood sample. The results of this comprehensive hormone panel can aid practitioners in monitoring and optimizing protocols aimed at balancing hormones to improve libido for their patients.
Cardiovascular Panel
Cardiovascular disease was found to be associated with sexual dysfunction. Patients suffering from heart disease experienced considerable challenges when resuming sexual activity. These difficulties included a reduced interest in sex, sexual dissatisfaction, and a decline in the frequency of sexual activity. The cardiometabolic panel evaluates cardiovascular health and the associated risk factors by measuring markers such as hsCRP (a marker of inflammation), cholesterol levels, HbA1c (diabetes screening), and others. Patients are recommended to complete this test regularly if they have a risk or history of CVD or any associated symptoms such as decreased libido. Monitoring these markers using this panel can help reduce the risks and help to manage the symptoms.
Neurotransmitter Panel
Neurotransmitter imbalances, such as imbalances in dopamine, can result in low libido. These neurotransmitters are also connected with other hormones, making the balance critical to determining mental performance, emotions, pain response, and energy levels. The imbalances can also lead to mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, also known to cause issues in sexual activity. This neurotransmitter test measures the levels of inhibitory, excitatory, and other neurotransmitters that are associated with low libido through a urine sample. Assessing for these levels can support the identification of underlying causes of low libido, provide guidance in balancing these levels, and effectively address the causes.
Adrenal Stress Test
Stress is another underlying cause of low libido. The adrenal hormone cortisol is the primary stress hormone. Studies show that one of its effects is the reduction of testosterone levels, which, in turn, can result in a decreased libido. This adrenal test evaluates the functioning of the adrenal glands by analyzing cortisol levels at different times during the day. It involves providing a saliva sample four times throughout the day, which gives practitioners a comprehensive understanding of a patient's stress response. Since stress levels fluctuate continuously, regular testing can aid in managing these cortisol imbalances that may cause problems with sexual drive. Practitioners can use this test and design personalized protocols based on the results to assist patients in adapting to these fluctuations and addressing any related issues.
Micronutrient Test
Deficiencies in micronutrients such as zinc, vitamin D, and magnesium can all impact the production and function of androgen hormones such as testosterone, which can affect the sexual drive in men AMAB. The micronutrient panel will provide the levels of 40 different vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, including the nutrients linked with hormone function and libido. This test is completed through a blood sample and will measure the extracellular and intracellular micronutrient levels giving a thorough analysis. Regularly testing micronutrient levels can help investigate any nutritional imbalances, allowing for effective dietary strategies to improve hormone function and sexual drive associated with insufficient nutrient levels.
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Summary
Although it can feel uncomfortable for males to talk to medical providers about their libido issues, decreases in sex drive can affect many men at various times. Sex is a natural and important part of health and life which having low libido can negatively impact. Luckily, functional medicine labs such as a male hormone panel can help assess for underlying factors that may be contributing to decreases in sex drive to help effectively manage this problem and improve sex life. However, there may also be some psychological causes in which a qualified mental health specialist should be sought out to address this psychosomatic response adequately.
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