A drop in sex drive can be confusing and isolating, especially when you can’t pin down why. Low libido is common in men, and it’s important to understand that it’s distinct from erectile dysfunction: libido is about desire, while ED is about function — though the two can certainly overlap. The encouraging news is that low libido almost always has an identifiable cause, and finding it is the first step toward getting your drive back.
Dr. Justin Houman is a board-certified urologist, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and Assistant Professor of Urology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, fellowship-trained in male reproductive and sexual medicine at UCLA. He approaches low libido as the symptom it is — a signal pointing to a cause, whether hormonal, medication-related, or psychological — rather than a problem to paper over. A member of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America whose insights have appeared in national media including Men’s Health, he focuses on finding and treating the real reason behind a man’s lost drive.
I was sent to Dr. Houman from another Urologist that was pretty confused about my situation. Dr. Houman’s team scheduled me quickly, and once we met, Dr. Houman took action immediately. He has a great team that is very nice. He is very personable, listens, jumps right into the trenches, explains everything, and is very responsive. I love working with Dr. Houman, definitely the best Doctor I’ve had!
What Is Low Libido?
Libido is the term for sex drive, a complex mix of biological, psychological, and social factors powered largely by hormones. It naturally varies from person to person and shifts over the course of life. Low libido becomes a concern when a meaningful, persistent drop in desire is distressing or affects a relationship. A key point worth repeating: low libido is about wanting sex, while erectile dysfunction is about the physical ability to have it — recognizing which one you’re dealing with shapes the entire approach.
Common Causes of Low Sex Drive in Men
Low libido is almost always a symptom of something else, and the usual culprits include:
Low Testosterone
The most common physical cause, since testosterone directly drives sexual desire.
Medications
Antidepressants (especially SSRIs), some blood pressure drugs, and others can blunt libido.
Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
Mental health has a powerful effect on desire.
Relationship Factors
Conflict, disconnection, or life stress can reduce interest in sex.
Alcohol and Substance Use
Excess use can lower both desire and function over time.
Other Hormonal Issues
Thyroid problems or elevated prolactin can also suppress libido.
How Low Libido Is Diagnosed
Because the causes range from hormonal to psychological, an accurate diagnosis looks at the whole picture. Dr. Houman begins with a detailed history and an open conversation about stress, mood, and relationship factors, then uses blood tests to check testosterone and related hormones such as thyroid and prolactin. Reviewing your current medications is part of the process too, since a libido-lowering prescription is a common and very fixable cause. This thorough approach ensures treatment targets the real driver rather than guessing.
Treatment Options for Low Libido
Because low libido is a symptom, effective treatment starts with the cause:
- Treating Low Testosterone: When labs reveal low T, testosterone optimization often restores desire.
- Reviewing Medications: Coordinating with your other physicians to adjust libido-lowering medications when possible.
- Addressing Mental Health and Relationships: Connecting you with the right support when psychological factors are involved.
- Medication Options: In select cases, bremelanotide (PT-141), a medication that acts on desire pathways in the brain, may be considered. It is FDA-approved to treat low sexual desire in premenopausal women, and its use in men is off-label — something Dr. Houman reviews fully before it’s considered.
Related Treatment
Learn more about a specific medication option for low sexual desire:
Frequently Asked Questions About Low Libido
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Low libido is about reduced desire for sex, while erectile dysfunction is about difficulty with the physical erection — they’re different issues, though they can occur together.
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No — while low T is a common cause, medications, stress, depression, relationship factors, and other hormones can all lower libido, so testing helps identify the real driver.
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Yes — SSRIs and some other medications commonly reduce libido; if so, Dr. Houman can coordinate with your prescriber on possible adjustments.
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Through a medical history, a discussion of psychological and relationship factors, and blood tests for testosterone and other hormones such as thyroid and prolactin.
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Bremelanotide (PT-141) is a medication that acts on desire pathways in the brain; it’s FDA-approved for women and used off-label in men, which Dr. Houman reviews in detail. Learn more about bremelanotide for men.
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In most cases, yes — once the underlying cause is identified and addressed, many men see a meaningful return of desire.
Why Choose Dr. Houman for Low Libido Treatment in Los Angeles
- Root-Cause Diagnosis: Low libido evaluated as a symptom with a findable cause.
- Hormone Expertise: Testosterone and related hormones assessed and optimized when needed.
- Whole-Person Approach: Physical, medication-related, and psychological factors all considered.
- Discreet, Judgment-Free Care: A comfortable space to discuss a sensitive topic.
Meet Dr. Houman
Expert in Men’s Health with Tower Urology and Cedars Sinai
Dr. Justin Houman, MD, FACS is a board-certified urologist and fellowship-trained microsurgeon at Tower Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. His subspecialty training in male reproductive medicine and microsurgery is held by fewer than 2% of practicing urologists in the United States.
His clinical focus is narrow by design. Varicoceles, chronic testicular pain, male infertility, vasectomy, testosterone optimization, erectile dysfunction, penile implant surgery, and Peyronie’s disease are not add-on services here. They are the practice. Patients travel from across the country and internationally for procedures, particularly microsurgical varicocelectomy, spermatic cord denervation, and inflatable penile implant surgery, that require a level of subspecialty training and surgical volume most urology practices do not have.
Low Libido Treatment in Los Angeles
A lost sex drive can affect far more than the bedroom, but it’s rarely something you simply have to accept. Dr. Houman offers thorough, discreet evaluation and personalized treatment for men across Los Angeles and Southern California, focused on uncovering and addressing the real cause. Contact the Los Angeles office to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward feeling like yourself again.
