Common issues in males, low libido and impotence, are clearly not the same; however, they can both occur at the same time to create a “cycle of problems.” As a result, those whose primary issue may actually be related to one (and not the other) might search in vain for a treatment or solution.

Low Libido vs Erectile Dysfunction

While some men are concerned with experiencing sexual dysfunction (ED), others may only be concerned with sexual desire (low libido). Therefore, although low libido may impact how one feels about “having sex,” it does not impact one’s ability to arouse during sexual activity.

For example, if a man has low libido, he may not have any desire to have sex, but this does not mean he can’t perform sexually if he were to have an opportunity.

The same is true for someone who experiences erectile dysfunction; he may have a great desire and feel confident in himself regarding achieving an erection but doesn’t succeed in being able to do so.

Thus, the relationship between the two can also lead to feelings of failure and embarrassment; however, understanding their interrelation can help resolve both issues.

Low libido is caused by many factors, and most often low testosterone, mental health, and lifestyle all contribute to low libido, but brain chemistry, and emotional health are also greatly impacted.

Erectile Dysfunction occurs when you are unable to have or maintain an erection for a sufficient amount of time to complete sexual activity. It is also one of the most frequently searched male sexual health concerns by men searching for treatment options for ED.

Erections require a coordinated function to occur from:

Blood Flow
Nerve Signals
Hormones
Mental Stimulation

When you have systems that are working together to achieve an erection that fail, you can develop ED; however, men may experience transient (occasional) ED due to fatigue and stress, but when ED happens on a consistent and ongoing basis, it often indicates that there is a serious medical condition that exists.

The relationship between low libido and ED is not only physical but also psychological. Often one condition can cause or continue to reinforce the other condition and therefore both conditions must be treated at the same time.

Low libido affects the signal to the brain regarding desire to achieve an erection; therefore, by sending a weaker signal for arousal to the brain, blood flow is also reduced to the penis, making it difficult to obtain an erection.

Therefore, when men have low libido, they are also likely to be suffering from erectile dysfunction.

Additionally, men who experience erectile dysfunction may also experience anxiety related to sexual performance. After experiencing severe rejections in an attempt to achieve an erection, men will often begin to avoid sexual situations, leading to a decline in libido over time.

This creates a vicious cycle illustrated as follows.

Decreased libido = Decrease in arousal = Decrease in erectile quality = Increased anxiety = Decreased libido.

Because both low libido and erectile dysfunction have common causes, attempting to resolve only one issue will frequently yield temporary or incomplete results.

What causes low libido and erectile dysfunction in men?

The causes of low libido and erectile dysfunction share several similarities. Understanding the underlying causes of both will help determine the best course of therapy.

1. Low Testosterone

Low testosterone levels will have an impact on both desire and the quality of an erection. This may be the most common cause of low libido in men as well as contributing to erectile dysfunction.

Men who are suffering from low testosterone may have the following problems:

Reduced libido
Fatigue and low energy
Changes in mood/irritability
Weakened erections

2. Stress, Anxiety & Psychological Factors

A major factor in male sexual health is mental health. Chronic stress leads to elevated levels of cortisol which suppresses testosterone as well as interferes with signals to become aroused.

Because of the above, the following can occur:

Psychological ED (erectile dysfunction)
Reduced libido
Unable to concentrate while being intimate

3. Poor Circulation of Blood (To the Penis)

Having healthy blood flow is critical for achieving strong erections. Conditions (such as) High Blood Pressure & Heart Disease restrict circulation, which can result in erectile dysfunction.

In fact, when there is a lack of blood flow, it can slow down physical arousal which contributes to decreased libido.

4. Lifestyle and Daily Habits

Unethical behaviours rank among the top reasons for both of the above conditions.

Smoking (impairs) blood vessels and decreases circulation
Alcohol (decreases) testosterone levels and impacts nerve response
Poor nutrition throws off hormonal balance
Lack of exercise decreases stamina and energy

These things eventually affect sexual performance and desire.

5. Sleep Disturbances and Fatigue

The majority of testosterone production occurs while you are sleeping. Poor sleeping habits can decrease your hormone production, thereby reducing your energy level and harm libido and the quality of your erections.

The chronic medical conditions of diabetes and excess weight can cause damage to the nerves, blood vessels and hormones, all of which are vital to sexual function. These two exist within a strong correlation to both erectile issues and a decrease in sexual desire (low libido).

Increasing Male Libido and Improving Erectile Dysfunction

To remedy the male libido issue as well as improve erectile dysfunction, a combination of lifestyle changes along with the help of medical professionals may be warranted in some cases.

1. Naturally Adjust Hormonal Balance

A natural way to increase testosterone levels will lead to a considerable increase in both sexual desire and sexual performance.

Lift Weights
Maintain Appropriate Weight
Eat Foods High in Zinc and Healthy Fats

2. Exercise to Increase Blood Flow and Stamina

Exercising regularly will help with blood flow to the penis, reduce stress from work and increase your total body energy. This is a direct contributor to an increase in a man’s ability to obtain and maintain an erection.

3. Eat a Nutritional Diet

Eating a well-balanced and nutritional diet will help the body produce hormones and take care of the body’s heart health.

Eat Leafy Green Vegetables for Increased Blood Flow
Eat a protein diet to provide the energy necessary for the day
Eat nuts and seeds for the production of hormones

4. Reduce Stress and Work on Mental Health

Reducing the stress in your life may have a positive impact on your sexual health. Mindfulness and meditation are great practices to help reduce the level of cortisol in your body. Both of these practices can increase your focus during times of intimacy.

5. Get Quality Sleep

Quality sleep has been found to improve testosterone levels, and thus has a major/critical contribution toward a healthy sex drive.

6. Medical Treatment

The best option for male erectile dysfunction is medical treatment, mostly because it is quick and effective.

Most men will rely only on medications that contain sildenafil citrate, since they work well with many medications, and help to restore blood flow to the penis, allowing for stronger + longer-lasting erections.

Most prescribed Sildenafil Citrate medication to treat male impotence:

In addition to enhancing their performance physically with either of these choices, they are also likely to gain a huge boost in confidence, mainly due to the fact that they are taking action toward resolving their erectile dysfunction, and then resulting in increased libido over time.

Have you experienced any of these symptoms? If so, you should reach out to a qualified medical professional right away to get help.

You may want to see a doctor if:

Your libido has been low for more than a few weeks
You have frequent episodes of erectile dysfunction
You have fatigue or mood swings
You are having sexual problems that are creating strain in your relationship

Getting treated as soon as you can will assist your physician in finding out what the cause is, and it will prevent your condition from worsening.

Natural Remedies for Low Libido & ED

If you’re looking for a natural solution to help improve your sexual health, there are many options available that can be combined with simple lifestyle changes.

Here are some of the most common natural supplements people use to help support their sexual health:

Withania somnifera/Ashwagandha – used to help reduce stress
Ginseng – an herb known to increase stamina
Maca root – often used to help improve libido

While there may be some benefit from using a combination of these remedies, they will be most effective when combined with good lifestyle choices and the advice of a qualified healthcare professional.

Low Libido and Erectile Dysfunction

Both of the two men’s health conditions are very closely related. They affect both erotic desire and the ability to perform sexually. While some men may view these two symptoms as completely separate, in most cases they have the same underlying cause and can actually exacerbate one another when left untreated.

The best strategy for treating both of these conditions is to make healthy lifestyle changes, learn effective methods for managing stress, develop healthy hormones and, when needed, use the most effective medical treatment options for ED.

By combining natural and medical treatments appropriately, men can rebuild their sexual confidence, improve their ability to perform and regain their libido.