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What His Libido Says About His Fertility

We’ve all been there. Between responsibilities at home and at work, commitments that just keep piling up, and a mile-long to-do list, sex may be on your mind, but only in a vague, wouldn’t-that-be-nice kind of way. You’re not alone. The busier we are, the more likely it is for our libidos to nosedive. And for men hoping to become fathers, you might be stressing that your waning sex drive is signaling a problem with your fertility (spoiler: not necessarily). Still, it’s true that a man’s fertility and his libido are linked, so let’s hop into all the details, including 4 ways to rev up that sex drive.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • It’s normal for a man’s libido, or sex drive, to fluctuate, because it’s affected by a range of physical and mental factors
  • Despite what pop culture tells us, there is no such thing as a “normal” libido. It varies from one guy to the next and will change over his lifetime.
  • Libido and male fertility are linked, in that some of the factors affecting a man’s sex drive can also impact his fertility.
  • The best way to increase a man’s libido is by addressing the physical, mental and emotional factors that are dragging his sex drive down.

Hi, I’m Your Libido

Lots of guys equate erections with raging libidos, but that’s a little inaccurate. The libido, or sex drive, isn’t a physical sign of arousal, like an erection. It’s the mental component, the part of your brain that sees something and responds, sending up flares left and right that you’re ready to get down and dirty. Despite what popular culture may have you believe, it’s totally normal for a man’s libido to wax and wane based on what’s going on in his life. In fact, physical and mental factors directly affect your libido, including but not limited to things like your lifestyle, physical health, state of mind, hormone levels, medications, general life stressors, and definitely relationship issues.

That’s an important call out for guys who put a lot of pressure on themselves to always be up for it. Your sex drive is sensitive and reactive, so don’t beat yourself up if you’re in a bit of a libido dip. Remember, there’s actually no such thing as a “normal” libido. They vary wildly in the general population, from really high to quite low, and it’s not uncommon for a man’s sex drive to change throughout the course of his life. Men have a biological clock too, and testosterone production slows as men get older. It’s a key hormone for a high sex drive, so as one drops, so can the other.

It’s not just waning hormones or work-life commitments that can diminish a man’s sex drive. Medical conditions tend to become a bigger issue the older we get. Common health issues, including weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease are all associated with a lower libido. Substance abuse, stress, sleep issues and chronic illness can all wreak havoc on your sex drive too.

The Link Between a Man’s Sex Drive & His Fertility

First, the good news. A low sex drive doesn’t automatically mean you have fertility issues. So, you know, deep breath. But, in not-so-good news, it is true that low libido and male fertility can be linked. Specifically, some of the things that have an affect on your sex drive can also impact a man’s fertility:

  • Testosterone deficiencies
  • Older age
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Sleep issues
  • Obesity 

There’s an inverse relationship too. Guys who are dealing with infertility may be stressed enough that it impacts their sex drive. That’s because stress releases cortisol, the fight-or-flight hormone that you definitely want when you’re being chased by a bear, but not when you’re hoping to get horizontal. Unfortunately, cortisol absolutely torpedoes sex drive. The same can be true when sex becomes a chore, which tends to happen with couples who have been trying for some time to conceive. Often, they struggle to keep their sex life spontaneous and fun, which can also put a damper on a man’s libido. 

4 Ways to Increase a Man’s Libido

Fortunately, there are ways to increase a man’s libido, and they largely involve dealing with all of those physical, mental and emotional issues that are dragging your sex drive down. While that while obviously be personal to everyone, since we all have our issues, here are four worth focusing on.

  • Address and manage stress. Who isn’t stressed? Just living life in this day and age can be tough, and it’s really important to spend time dealing with the fall out. Maybe that means taking up yoga, using an app for some guided meditation or breathwork, playing racquetball once a walk, or talking to a therapist. Find something that works and then stick with it.
  • Get some sleep. We’re all busy, and most of us are quick to sacrifice sleep when our responsibilities start piling up. It’s a mistake. Sleep is non-negotiable for making all the other parts of your life function properly, sex drive included. If you have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep, get on the sleep hygiene train. Basically, it’s a series of behaviors that cue the body that it’s time to wind down. Your routine may involve a warm shower, reading and maybe a cool sunset clock. Just try your best to be consistent with bedtimes and wake-up times, and remember that people sleep best in cool, dark, quiet environments. And ditch the smartphone about an hour before bed–that blue light suppresses melatonin production, the hormone that tells your body it’s time to sleep.
  • Get some exercise. This is a twofer. Not only does regular exercise boost your physical and mental health, which increases your sex drive, it can also improve your sperm health.
  • Talk it out. Lean on your partner! There is so much power in talking things out, so make a point of sitting down with your partner to share how you feel.
beli-vitality-mens-prenatal-vitamin

It’s no coincidence that all of the steps you can take to increase your libido are also recommended for increasing sperm quality If you’re looking to become a dad, we’ll go ahead and add one more to the list–swapping out the multivitamin for a high-quality men’s prenatal vitamin. 

Yes, men benefit from prenatals, and Beli Vitality for Men is a standout. It’s an ultra-clean, ultra-specialized formula with nutrients clinically shown to support and promote optimal sperm health. It’s also the only men’s prenatal on the market with shilajit. This Ayurvedic adaptogen works wonders on sperm, but it has a bevy of side perks, including increased energy, better focus and cognitive function, and improved athletic performance. Just saying!

The Bottom Line

It’s normal to notice dips in your libido, and just knowing that can help defuse what might be an otherwise anxiety-ridden experience—especially if you’re thinking about becoming a dad. A drop in your sex drive doesn’t necessarily mean you’re experiencing fertility issues. Try addressing all of the factors in your life that could be dampening your libido, and see if things don’t pick up.

Additional Resources

There’s a lot of chatter when it comes to male masturbation and what it says about a man’s fertility or whether it’s an issue when a couple is actively trying to conceive. And in the interest of clearing up the confusion, we’re taking a facts-based approach to the topic of men, masturbation and fertility.

Read More

For many of us, our twenties and even thirties are a time when the focus is on pregnancy prevention. And that’s okay! But even when the idea of motherhood is miles away there is tremendous value in understanding your fertility health and what you can do to support it during these young, carefree days.

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Raise your hand if you already know that you have a biological clock. From age 35 and beyond, there is a natural decline in testosterone and sperm quality. Just as people lose muscle strength, flexibility and endurance with age, sperm also tend to lose their "fitness" over the life cycle. But what does that mean—and does it really matter?

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Shilajit is finally getting the credit it’s due, and we’re proud to point out that our proprietary formula was the very first to include this powerful Ayurvedic compound. Here’s why shilajit is rapidly becoming the darling of the male fertility world–and what you’re missing if you’re skipping it.

Read More

Ever wondered why men produce so much darn sperm, especially if only one of them will ultimately fertilize the egg? There are millions of sperm in normal ejaculate because it increases the likelihood that one will reach the egg and seal the deal. It begs the question, what exactly happens on the journey to the egg?

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Read More

Diet has been suggested to have an influence on the quality and function of human sperm. More specifically, the results of a randomised trial have shown that including nuts as a component of a regular diet improved the quality and function of human sperm.

Read More

A shot to the balls may be played for laughs on screen, but testicular impacts really aren’t a joke. Worse case scenario, getting hit in the balls can affect fertility thanks to complications like sexual dysfunction, low testosterone and other issues. Let's discuss.

Read More

With the New Year upon us, there are all kinds of articles and videos making the rounds with predictions of the Zodiac signs most likely to get pregnant in 2024. But here at Beli, we take a much more scientific approach to conception. Here are the top eight things people will do to get pregnant in 2024.

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When it comes to becoming parents, good habits really will take you where you want to go. Now, new science is giving us insight into exactly how long it takes to form those good habits. We're breaking down all the ways you can build healthy habits to boost your chances of conception. Think of it as life-hacking, but for grown-ups.

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Read More

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Read More

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Read More

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Read More

For many of us, our twenties and even thirties are a time when the focus is on pregnancy prevention. And that’s okay! But even when the idea of motherhood is miles away there is tremendous value in understanding your fertility health and what you can do to support it during these young, carefree days.

Read More

Raise your hand if you already know that you have a biological clock. From age 35 and beyond, there is a natural decline in testosterone and sperm quality. Just as people lose muscle strength, flexibility and endurance with age, sperm also tend to lose their "fitness" over the life cycle. But what does that mean—and does it really matter?

Read More

It’s an easy assumption, but you’re much better off thinking that every prenatal vitamin is wildly different in terms of composition, nutrient quality and, importantly, nutrient amount. Not only is that actually true, it puts you in the smart consumer mindset of understanding what matters in a prenatal vitamin—and why.

Read More

Men really do benefit from specialized nutrition in the form of a prenatal vitamin that’s formulated to support sperm health. Here’s what that looks like, and how specific nutrients can impact a man’s fertility health before fatherhood.

Read More

Shilajit is finally getting the credit it’s due, and we’re proud to point out that our proprietary formula was the very first to include this powerful Ayurvedic compound. Here’s why shilajit is rapidly becoming the darling of the male fertility world–and what you’re missing if you’re skipping it.

Read More

Ever wondered why men produce so much darn sperm, especially if only one of them will ultimately fertilize the egg? There are millions of sperm in normal ejaculate because it increases the likelihood that one will reach the egg and seal the deal. It begs the question, what exactly happens on the journey to the egg?

Read More

Just as women’s bodies need to be prepared for pregnancy, men’s bodies need to be ready to contribute healthy sperm for conception. Nutrients are the foundation that support the normal structure and function of sperm and men's fertility health. Taking Beli’s male prenatal supplement is a proactive way to strategically fuel your body to optimize fertility contributing to your overall chances of conceiving and supporting a healthy pregnancy.  

Read More

Diet has been suggested to have an influence on the quality and function of human sperm. More specifically, the results of a randomised trial have shown that including nuts as a component of a regular diet improved the quality and function of human sperm.

Read More

A shot to the balls may be played for laughs on screen, but testicular impacts really aren’t a joke. Worse case scenario, getting hit in the balls can affect fertility thanks to complications like sexual dysfunction, low testosterone and other issues. Let's discuss.

Read More

With the New Year upon us, there are all kinds of articles and videos making the rounds with predictions of the Zodiac signs most likely to get pregnant in 2024. But here at Beli, we take a much more scientific approach to conception. Here are the top eight things people will do to get pregnant in 2024.

Read More

Research shows that the overall health of both biological parents during the preconception window plays a huge role in everything from conception to pregnancy health to the lifetime health of their baby. Luckily, there are simple steps you can both take to improve your health together.

Read More

When it comes to becoming parents, good habits really will take you where you want to go. Now, new science is giving us insight into exactly how long it takes to form those good habits. We're breaking down all the ways you can build healthy habits to boost your chances of conception. Think of it as life-hacking, but for grown-ups.

Read More

Here at Beli, we’re working hard to raise awareness of the important role men play in the baby-making equation, which brings us to today’s topic of men’s preconception health and specifically, sperm health. Knowing what you’re working with can save you a lot of time, but is at-home sperm testing considered an important part of men’s preconception health? Let’s break it down.

Read More

There’s a certain magic to the holiday season, whether you’re all-in on the decorations and the family time or a self-proclaimed Scrooge from mid-November to the New Year. But when you’re trying to conceive, it can be a challenging time.  We’re sharing five tips for managing the holidays when you’re trying to conceive.

Read More

Everyone knows that alcohol and pregnancy don’t mix. But what about before you’re pregnant, during the trying-to-conceive stage? There’s no evidence that the occasional drink—i.e. one or two a week—is going to torpedo your chances of parenthood. But it is true that the more you drink, the greater the likelihood it will have an effect on your health. Here’s what the research says about alcohol and your fertility.

Read More

You’re clear on the mechanics of making a baby, but how much do you really know about conception and fertility? There are a lot of wild stories, downright falsehoods and notions that are actually rooted in a kernel of truth out there. In the interest of sticking to the facts, we’re debunking 15 of the most common myths about conception and fertility.

Read More

When you’re knocking boots in an effort to get knocked up, timing is everything. Your best chance of conceiving is during the most fertile time of your menstrual cycle—when you ovulate. The key is figuring out exactly when that happens. Fortunately, you have a few ways of detecting ovulation. Here’s what to know about understanding ovulation and timing sex for pregnancy.

Read More

You have big plans for parenthood in 2024, which means this is the time to start laying the groundwork for everything to come. While so much of conception is beyond our control, there are actionable steps you and your partner can take right now to support and nourish your fertility.

Read More

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Read More

Heard the one about ice baths and testosterone? Spoiler: there's little to no research behind that idea. Here’s what to know about cold plunges and male fertility, according to the research, plus where you should really focus your efforts if you’re trying to improve sperm health.

Read More

As a society, we’re an impatient bunch, and that applies to pregnancy, too. The second you decide it’s time to try for a baby, you’re ready to see those two pink lines. If you’ve recently tossed the birth control and you’re wondering how long it should take to get pregnant, here's what to know.

Read More

Jimmy Fallon. Hugh Jackman. Mark Zuckerberg. Keith Urban. Gordon Ramsey. Kyle Busch. Besides immediate name recognition, what else do these men have in common? They’ve all struggled with infertility issues—and it’s something they’re all talking about publicly. Here's why that matters.

Read More