Male Libido Disorders: Causes

Pathogenesis (development of disease)

Libido disorders occur in about two percent of men.One distinguishes somatic, i.e. physical factors from psychological and social factors that play a role in libido disorders. Often, several factors such as hormonal disorders and psychological influences occur together. Estrogens increase libido, frequency of sexual fantasies, frequency of masturbation and sexual intercourse in men (estrogens do not seem to play a significant role in women’s sexual behavior). Decisive for a “normal” libido is obviously a normalization of serum testosterone and serum estradiol.So far, the partial functions of estrogens, testosterone, as well as their relationship to each other are still not completely clarified. What seems to be assured is that serum estradiol in the normal male range is required for normal male sexual function together with testosterone, whereas estrogen deficiency or excess has negative effects on male sexual activity.

Etiology (Causes)

Biographic causes

  • Age of life – older age
  • Disorders in the parent-child relationship (taboos in parenting).
  • Sexual abuse
  • Hormonal factors – andropause (menopause in men).

Behavioral causes

  • Consumption of stimulants
    • Alcohol
  • Psycho-social situation
    • Psychological conflicts
    • Contact disorders
    • Stress
  • Sexual inclinations deviating from the norm

Disease-related causes

Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases (E00-E90).

  • Acromegaly (giant growth)
  • Diabetes mellitus (diabetes)
  • Hyperprolactinemia (increased prolactin serum levels).
  • Hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism)
  • Hypogonadism – gonadal (testicular) hypofunction with resulting androgen deficiency (lack of male sex hormone).
  • Hypothyroidism (hypothyroidism)
  • Addison’s disease (primary adrenocortical insufficiency).
  • Graves’ disease – form of hyperthyroidism caused by autoimmune disease.
  • Cushing’s disease – group of diseases that lead to hypercortisolism (hypercortisolism; excess of cortisol).

Cardiovascular system (I00-I99).

  • Arterial occlusive disease (AVD) or peripheral arterial occlusive disease (pAVD) (English : peripheral artery occlusive disease, PAOD): progressive narrowing or occlusion of the arteries supplying the arms / (more often) legs, usually due to atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis, arteriosclerosis)arteriosclerosis).
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Liver, gallbladder and bile ducts – pancreas (pancreas) (K70-K77; K80-K87)

  • Liver dysfunction, unspecified

Psyche – nervous system (F00-F99; G00-G99).

  • Anorexia nervosa (anorexia nervosa)
  • Alcohol consumption, chronic
  • Contact disorders
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurological diseases, unspecified
  • Psychiatric disorders such as depression or anxiety disorders.
  • Psychological conflicts
  • Sexual inclinations deviating from the norm

Factors influencing health status and leading to health care utilization.

  • Stress

Genitourinary system (kidneys, urinary tract – reproductive organs) (N00-N99)

  • Renal dysfunction, unspecified

Laboratory diagnoses – laboratory parameters considered independent risk factors/causes.

Medication

The following agents or groups of agents can trigger hyperprolactinemia and thus lead to libido and potency disorders in men:

Operations

  • Orchiectomy, bilateral (removal of both testicles).