STDs are prevalent in the United States. Nearly 15% of Americans between ages 15 and 49 years old have at least one STD (the total number is likely much higher because many cases of infection go undetected).
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), such as Gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, and Syphilis, can be transmitted to men or women through sexual contact. Having an STD can cause various side effects in both men and women. In women, it may cause complications such as barrenness. In men, it may affect your sex drive.
How Do STIs Lower Sex Drive?
STIs can lower a man’s libido in two ways:
- By triggering reproductive complications that cause low libido or sterility
Viral and bacterial STDs can attack parts of the male reproductive system (like the prostate gland) and lead to low libido or sterility.
- By causing discomfort during sex
To enjoy sex, it is important to be at ease with your mind and body. Therefore we can relate the lowered sex drive–and decreased pleasure during sexual relations–in individuals suffering from certain STDs to the reverse feeling that they’re less desirable than anyone else.
Which STDs Can Cause Low Sex Drive in Males
If you’re a man, it’s essential to know which sexually transmitted diseases to be on the lookout for. You don’t know when you’ll come into contact with a person who has one of these diseases, so it’s important to be aware of their symptoms.
Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes, and Hepatitis can cause low sex drive in men. These are all sexually transmitted diseases that are caused by bacteria or viruses.
- Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most common STD in the United States, affecting about 4 million people per year. Men are at a higher risk of getting chlamydia than women because men have a shorter urethra, making it easier for bacteria to travel up into the urinary tract.
A man’s urethra is also closer to his prostate gland, which can cause pain or discomfort if infected by chlamydia. This also explains why men must get tested for chlamydia regularly, especially if they have sex with multiple partners.
Chlamydia is highly treatable with either oral medication or antibiotics but left untreated, it t can lead to sterility in men. If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort during urination, seek medical attention right away.
- Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a common STI. It is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which can invade the reproductive tract and the anus, and the mouth. In many men, gonorrhea has no symptoms.
Other times, men infected with this STD may experience painful swelling of the tubes attached to the testicles (epididymitis). Untreated gonorrhea can also spread to your blood, causing joints to swell. Left untreated, these conditions may cause sterility.
- Herpes
Genital herpes is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Most people get it from someone who doesn’t know they have it or doesn’t realize they are passing it on.
Most people infected with HSV don’t know they have it because they have no symptoms, mild symptoms that go unnoticed, or are mistaken for another skin condition.
In men, genital herpes may manifest with penile sores and cause discomfort during sex. Furthermore, the idea that you cannot cure herpes altogether may cause low sex drive in some men.
How to Avoid Contracting STIs
STIs are spread through sexual contact. That’s why it’s called “sexually transmitted infection.” It’s also why the only way to avoid STI infections is to avoid sex or sexual contact.
- Use protection
Use latex condoms during sex. While condoms offer good protection against many STIs, they don’t protect against everything, so you should still get tested regularly to ensure you’re clean.
- Get Tested
If you don’t get tested for STIs, you can get them and spread them to others. Knowing your status is important because some of these conditions may not show signs or symptoms. Regular STD testing ensures early identification and treatment if you have an infection. This will help prevent the disease from getting worse. It also reduces the chance that it will spread to other people.
- Maintain hygiene before and after sex
Wash your hands and genitals before and after intercourse, and don’t share towels or underclothing.
- Get vaccinated
Get immunized for hepatitis. The vaccine is safe, effective, and accessible at public health clinics, so talk to your doctor if you haven’t received a jab.
Final Advice on STIs and Low Libido
Some STIs can cause low sex drives in males, so you want to monitor your reproductive health closely.
If you think you have an STI, see a health care provider and get treatment. You can cure most with medication if you identify them early enough. But if left untreated, some infections can lead to serious long-term problems such as infertility or cancer of the reproductive organs.
