There are seven possible causes of low libido in men. And Traditional Chinese Medicine can provide perspectives and explanations of these causes from different point of views.

1. Low Testosterone in Men

Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone in men. In men, it is primarily produced in the testicles.

Testosterone plays an essential role in developing male reproductive organs such as the testes and prostate. It is also crucial for promoting secondary sexual characteristics such as muscle and bone mass and body hair growth.

It is said that the level of sexual desire is directly linked to the testosterone level. And as we age, testosterone will naturally start decreasing. However a drastic drop in testosterone can lead to decreased libido.

TCM Perspective: Testosterone is seen as the Fire of the Vital Gate in the Kidneys which is Yang energy of the Kidney. Therefore, a drop in testosterone is seen as a deficiency of the Kidney Yang, causing the drop in the level of sexual desire.

Kidneys hold the life essence of a human and sexual desire is a natural way for life to continue through attracting a mate and copulating for new life to form. When the Yang energy or the Fire decreased, the driving force for life production will reduce and therefore sexual desires as well.

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2. Medications

Certain medications may lower testosterone leading to low libido. Such medications can include medications to lower blood pressure like beta blockers and ACE inhibitors, chemotherapy, steroids, antidepressants, hormone replacement therapies, opioid pain relievers, antifungal medicines, and medicines for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

TCM Perspective: Western medicines and drugs are foreign and chemicals to the body and are deemed toxins by the body. These medications will injure the Kidney which is one of the main detox organs. When that happens, the Fire or Yang energy of the Kidney will be damaged as well which means testosterone will reduce, leading to low libido.

3. Depression

Those affected by depression generally experience a reduced or complete lack of interest in activities they once found pleasurable, including sex.

TCM Perspective: In TCM, depression always is related to different degrees of Liver being blocked or stagnated. When this happens, circulation in the entire body is slowed down. This circulation is like a fan to the Fire of the Vital Gate of Kidney. With the poor circulation, the Fire is not being fanned to raise the sexual desire, hence the drop in libido for people suffering from depression.

4. Chronic illness

When inflicted with a chronic medical condition, one may lose interest in sex. Therefore sex drive is affected. At the same time, certain conditions are also known to lower sex drive.

Examples are type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, chronic lung, heart, kidney and liver failure.

TCM Perspective: When a person is suffering from chronic medical conditions, the body is highly weakened in terms of energy, qi and blood. Definitely the body will tap into life reserves from Kidney for sustenance and survival. When that happens, the overall energy of the Kidney will be reduced, implying that testosterone will be reduced as well causing low libido.

5. Sleep Problems

It was found that non-obese men with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) experienced lower testosterone levels which also led to a lower sex drive. In another study done in young, healthy men, testosterone levels were decreased by 10 to 15 per cent after a sleep restriction of only five hours per night for one week.

TCM Perspective: Sleep is required to nurture and renourish the Kidneys and all other organs for function the next day. When there is chronic sleep problems, the Kidneys are highly damaged and overworked and the Fire from the Vital Gate will definitely be reduced over time, causing low testosterone and low libido.

6. Ageing

Men reach their peak levels of testosterone at about 20 years old. As men age, the production of testosterone slows down, in which it can decline around 1 per cent per year after 30 years old. A decline in testosterone lowers sex drive and libido.

TCM Perspective: As we age, the Kidneys and all organs will naturally weaken. The drop in Fire of the Vital Gate in the Kidneys which is Yang energy of the Kidney will definitely result in a drop in testosterone causing the drop in the level of sexual desire and libido.

Testosterone is seen as the Fire of the Vital Gate in the Kidneys which is Yang energy of the Kidney. Therefore, a drop in testosterone is seen as a deficiency of the Kidney Yang, causing the drop in the level of sexual desire.

Kidneys hold the life essence of a human and sexual desire is a natural way for life to continue through attracting a mate and copulating for new life to form. When the Yang energy or the Fire decreased, the driving force for life production will reduce and therefore sexual desires as well.

7. Stress

Stress has been shown to affect sexual drive and may even cause erectile dysfunction. Some studies have found that the cortisol or stress hormones from stress can interfere with the production of testosterone which can hence result in low testosterone levels and therefore low sexual drive.

TCM Perspective: Stress in Traditional Chinese Medicine will heighten the heat in the body to a state which will weaken the Water element in the body. Kidneys are highly associated with Water element in the body. Hence said, the overly excessive heat in the body from stress will dry up the Water element and its associated organ such as the Kidneys. When the Kidney is weakened, the Fire of the Vital Gate in the Kidneys will diminish as well, resulting in a drop in testosterone and hence sexual desire.

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