While it is natural for libido to gradually decrease with age, it is not healthy for your sex drive to disappear entirely. For both men and women, hormonal changes during andropause and menopause, respectively, may significantly lower libido.
Medication and lifestyle may also contribute to decreased libido, and it is critical to take all of these factors into consideration when making a diagnosis. A skilled physician could work with Rhode Island patients to determine whether decreased libido treatment would benefit their loss of sex drive and devise an appropriate regimen.
While hormonal changes during menopause and andropause can be the primary cause of decreased libido, there are many other factors to consider. For instance, various medications may affect libido, including:
In some cases, such as with hair growth medications, the patient can decide whether they want to continue with such drugs or stop them so that their libido may return. In other situations, such as with anti-hypertensive medication, stopping treatment is unwise, but a change in the dosage or brand of their medication may help alleviate this and other unwanted side effects. Patients undergoing treatment for cancer, diabetes, and other serious illnesses may find the therapies dampen libido as well.
It is essential for the patient to inform their doctor about all the medications they are taking, whether prescription or over-the-counter. For example, some antihistamines or similar decongestants available over-the-counter may cause ejaculation or erectile problems. Regardless of what could be causing a Rhode Island patient’s lack of sex drive, a qualified physician could evaluate their circumstances to determine the chance of success of decreased libido treatment.
In men, low testosterone levels are often the primary culprit behind the loss of sex drive. Testosterone levels begin decreasing in some men as early as 30, but most men do not notice the effects of testosterone depletion until reaching middle age.
Testosterone replacement therapy in the form of injections, patches, intradermal pellets, and creams may boost libido and can also aid men in dealing with erectile dysfunction. Along with testosterone replacement therapy, the doctor may prescribe dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplements to restore a male patient’s sex drive. Bioidentical DHEA derived from wild yams can help the body produce testosterone naturally.
Lifestyle can also affect libido. Patients seeking to address a decline in libido should avoid excess caffeine and alcohol consumption, and cigarette smokers should quit. In addition to decreased libido treatment for Rhode Island patients, a doctor may offer recommendations for nutritional supplements based on individual needs, as well as a custom-tailored diet and exercise plan.
For women, bioidentical estrogen replacement therapy can help restore libido, as well as address related issues such as vaginal dryness. Bioidentical estrogen replacement therapy derived from soy and wild yam is recognized by the body as identical to the estrogen produced by the woman’s body.
Available in tablet, injectable, patch, intradermal pellet, and cream and gel forms, bioidentical estrogen replacement therapy can be used to increase libido. In addition, these treatments can help relieve many of the side effects of menopause, including hot flashes, night sweats, and weight gain.
If your test results show that your decreased libido is primarily due to low hormone levels, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can boost your sex drive and improve your quality of life. If other medical issues are affecting your libido, we can work with your physicians regarding changes in medication or dosage adjustment.
If your sex drive has decreased, you may need the services of an experienced doctor who can administer decreased libido treatment to Rhode Island patients. Call us today or contact us online to arrange a consultation.