<p><img src="/nairobi/PublishingImages/low%20sex%20drive%20body%20image.jpg" alt="" style="margin: 5px; font-family: helvetica;"/> </p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Are you a married man, over 40 years and experiencing decreased sexual desire for months, yet you have no health complications that could be causing the reduced sexual appetite. Such experience scares alot of men into thinking they are abnormal and they could be having a serious problem. Dr Felix Oindi, a Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist at Aga Khan University Hospital answers some of the questions many married men may have regarding reduced sexual activity in their marriage.</span></p><p><strong style="font-family: helvetica;">If I have a low sex drive, I'm I normal?</strong></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Yes, you are normal. Low sex drive is a normal occurrence as one gets older. However, possible contributing factors need to be excluded before fully affirming that you are ok. The possible causes of low sexual drive range from a right mental state, social factors and medical conditions among others. The low drive could also be attributed to advancing age alone especially if no other medical conditions are found.</span></p><p><strong style="font-family: helvetica;">What constitutes a low sexual drive?</strong></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Low sexual drive is a reduced sexual appetite that has been present for a long period of time, usually 6 months. This can occur with erectile dysfunction which is the recurrent inability to achieve or sustain an erection of sufficient rigidity and duration for sexual intercourse. These two conditions can occur together or in isolation. </span></p><p><strong style="font-family: helvetica;">Does age affect sex drive and at what age is this likely to occur?</strong></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Yes, age does affect sex drive, sexual problems tend to increase as one gets older. This tends to be more marked from about 40 years of age. As one gets older, the frequency of sexual activity reduces while the occurrence of sexual problems increases. </span></p><p><strong style="font-family: helvetica;">What conditions can make me have a low sex drive?</strong></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In addition to age, the other causes of low sexual drive and erectile dysfunction are cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, smoking, depression, and medication use. Erectile Dysfunction can equally be caused by one of several medical conditions. These include diabetes, hypertension, prostate cancer, kidney disease, obesity, venous leaks and neurological problems such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Use of some medications and injuries resulting from an accident can also cause ED.</span></p><p><strong style="font-family: helvetica;">What can I do to improve on their sexual appetite?</strong></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This is principally directed at identifying what the cause of the low sex drive is and coming up with a specific treatment. Both lifestyle modification (weight loss, physical activity) and medical management of cardiovascular risk factors can be effective for improving sexual function in some men. Some medications (Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors) can also be used as part of the initial treatment. If not responding to the above measures, vacuum-assisted erection devices can be used while severe cases can undergo surgical procedures such as having a penile prosthesis.
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