How To Combat Loss Of Sex Drive In Men Over 40

Written by the UPGUYS Editorial Team

Published on June 17, 2022

Did you know that 2.2 million teenagers and young adults in Canada between 15 and 24 had sex during a 12-month period? That accounts for nearly 54.1% of that population group! While it appears that the population is starting sexual intercourse at a much earlier age, you may be curious about a loss of sex drive in men.

Drops in libido can negatively affect your relationship, emotional, and mental health. At UPGUYS, we have compiled a complete guide on when your sex drive starts declining and how you can combat it. Keep reading on for more information!

In this article, we talk about the following:

1. What is sex drive?
2. Average-age men become sexually active
3. When does the loss of sex drive in men start?
4. Sex drive changes in men
5. Young adults
6. Middle-aged men
7. Elderly men
8. Can you improve your sex drive?
9. What happens when you can't get an erection?
10. Boosting your libido

What Is Sex Drive?

Sex drive often coincides with libido, so if you are wondering how to boost libido, let's start with a simple definition. Sex drive is your desire for sexual activity. It is impacted by your social environment, genetics, and biology.

Even your mental health and psychological components play a role in your libido. So if you break it down, a low libido equates to a decrease in interest in sexual activity, while a high libido means you have a greater interest in sexual activity. 

However, an ultra-high libido is not always healthy and interferes with day-to-day life and could indicate hormonal imbalances or neurological disorders.

On the contrary, a low libido can strain your relationship and indicate mental health concerns or hormonal changes. The benefits of a healthy and normal libido are:

1. Stress relief
2. Improved mental health
3. Improved confidence
4. Improved sleep quality

Low libido symptoms vary from losing interest in your partner to higher stress. 

Read more: How To Last Longer in Bed

Average Age Men Become Sexually Active

The average age men start becoming sexually active might vary, but it is typical for puberty to start for males between 9 and 14 years. During this period, hormone changes cause an increase in testosterone and sperm, including an increase in pubic hair growth. 

Erections might start showing up without sexual fantasies or stimulation, and nocturnal ejaculations are common during this time. Masturbation also begins at this age, and sexual intercourse could start as early as adolescence. 

However, education on safe sex during this period is essential, including waiting until later teenage years or young adulthood when men are more fully emotionally and physically developed. 

When Does Loss of Sex Drive in Men Start?

Some of the causes of low libido are:

1. Hormonal changes or imbalances (e.g., low testosterone)
2. Pain with sex
3. Diabetes
4. High blood pressure
5. Prescription medications (e.g., anti-depressants)
6. Smoking 
7. Illicit drug use
8. Body image issues
9. And more

It is important to note that erectile dysfunction is not the same as a low sex drive. An inability to maintain or get an erection might have similar causes, and it is not uncommon that you could experience both. However, the treatment might differ between ways to boost libido and improve erection quality. 

At what age do men stop being sexually active? Drops in libido and sex drive can start as young as your 30s. During this time, testosterone begins declining, but it isn't until your 60s that significant drops in sexual activity occur. 

Sex Drive Changes in Men

As you age, your sex drive changes mainly due to fluctuating hormones and relationships. For example, testosterone is an important part of a male's sex drive. Experts found that testosterone levels peak in your 20s before slowly declining.

While this does not indicate whether you will have a healthy sex drive in your 30s and beyond, hormones are critical to your sex drive. If you notice sudden changes in your libido, your doctor may want to check testosterone levels. 

This article is written for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information provided in the articles cannot and should not replace advice from a healthcare professional. Talk to your healthcare provider about any physical or mental health concerns or the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.

Young Adults

Young adulthood spans your 20s, but surprisingly, research shows that sexual inactivity has decreased in males between 18 and 34. What did researchers suspect was the cause of this drop?

Income and sociodemographic factors played a role in sexual activity. Psychological stressors such as work and finances could contribute. Although, the studies on men's "sexual peaking" is convoluted.

For starters, puberty begins in adolescence, and hormones flood the body, leading to spikes in sex drive in men. It is speculated, based on hormonal and biological factors, that sexual satisfaction and sexual activity are highest between ages 25 and 39.

Middle-Aged Men

As you age, your reproductive system changes. Compared to women, men's reproductive changes occur gradually over several decades. The most significant physical and hormonal changes are:

1. Testicular mass decreases
2. Testosterone decreases
3. Declining sperm production
4. Enlarged prostate gland
5. Slower sexual responses

During this period, you could experience lower sex drive, increased difficulties getting or maintaining an erection and development of prostate disorders. One common disorder is benign prostate hyperplasia, which can affect up to 50% of men at some point during their lives. 

Low sperm volume occurs when you lose vascular cells in your prostate, and benign prostate hyperplasia could cause this. Normal sperm counts are excellent determinants of men's sexual health. A lower-than-average sperm volume is often associated with:

1. Obesity
2. High blood pressure
3. Cardiovascular disease
4. Stroke
5. Diabetes

When does this occur? Most drops in sperm volume happen in your 50s, so it is important that you have regular wellness checks with your doctor if you notice changes in sex drive. 

Elderly Men

You are likely unsurprised that elderly populations have lower sexual activity and sex drives. This occurs in men and women, but it does not mean you can't have a healthy and satisfying sex life!

Geriatrics often begins in your 60s and carries throughout the rest of your life. As you age, you are more susceptible to several health conditions, like:

1. Cardiovascular disease
2. Diabetes
3. High blood pressure
4. Depression
5. Dementia

All of these impact your sexual activity and satisfaction and put you more at risk for other disorders like erectile dysfunction. Medications for high blood pressure are diuretics, increasing your risk for dehydration and making it harder to get an erection. 

Aging also brings many changes, affecting your mental and emotional response to sex. For example, retirement typically happens in your 60s, resulting in changes, moving, or loss of close friends. 

The death of a loved one or partner could also make it challenging for you to find that "spark" again. Losses in memory or cognitive declines make it different to hold the same mental clarity and interests you had when you were younger. 

Can You Improve Your Sex Drive?

In short - yes! Here are a few suggestions to help boost sex drive:

1. Talk to a doctor
2. Eat healthily
3. Exercise regularly
4. Get quality sleep
5. Talk to your partner
6. Use therapy or counselling

Talking to a doctor is vital for several reasons, but the most important one is that they can check for underlying physical causes. It is important that you implement healthy lifestyle changes, which will boost your overall health, including libido!

Additionally, anxiety could cause several sexual dysfunctions, including difficulties with erection quality. Sometimes, these stem from relationship stressors. Talk to your partner or a couple's therapist for better sex life. 

What Happens When You Can't Get an Erection?

When you have a low sex drive and loss of an erection, there could be a few things at play, such as:

1. New medications
2. Mental health illnesses (e.g., depression)
3. New medical conditions

Drops in testosterone can affect erection quality and sex drive. Prostate disorders are one of the most likely causes since they result in:

1. Difficulties with erection quality
2. Inability to orgasm or ejaculate
3. Decreases in sex drive
4. Painful sex
5. Painful urination

You should talk to a clinician about the possibilities of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Additionally, they may recommend starting PDE5 inhibitors. 

Read more: Strong Muscles, Strong Results

Boosting Your Libido

Loss of sex drive in men is normal as you age, but it doesn't have to be permanent! There are several causes of low libido and ways you can seek help. 

There are many men who have excellent sex lives and satisfaction well into their elderly years, so don't let a few mishaps get in the way of finding a better quality of life.