Sex Drive After 45: What’s Normal, What’s Not—and How to Fix It
Losing interest in sex isn’t “just aging.” It’s a sign that your body is asking for help.
Let’s talk about something most men won’t bring up—but almost all of them think about.
Sex drive.
If you’re over 45 and wondering why your libido isn’t what it used to be, you're not alone. It’s one of the most common concerns I hear in my practice—and one of the most misunderstood.
Here’s the truth: Losing interest in sex isn’t “just aging.” It’s a sign that your body is asking for help.
Let’s break down what’s normal, what’s not, and what you can actually do to fix it.
First: What Drives Your Sex Drive?
Libido isn’t just about testosterone—though that’s a big part of it. It’s also about:
Dopamine – your motivation and reward neurotransmitter
Cortisol – your stress hormone (too much of it is a problem)
Thyroid function – which impacts metabolism and energy
Sleep quality – because your body produces testosterone during deep sleep
Circulation and nitric oxide levels – necessary for performance
If any of those systems are off, your desire—and performance—can take a hit.
What’s Normal?
Not wanting sex every day doesn’t mean something’s wrong
Some decline in libido with age is expected—but it should be gradual, not drastic
You should still feel desire, have the ability to perform, and recover reasonably well
Bottom line: if your sex drive has dipped but you still feel confident, energetic, and focused most days—you're probably in the normal range.
What’s Not Normal?
These are red flags:
You feel indifferent about sex most of the time
Erections are weaker, less frequent, or harder to maintain
You’re “there” physically but checked out mentally
Your desire plummeted seemingly overnight
You’re also dealing with fatigue, weight gain, or brain fog
If that’s your situation, your hormones may be waving a big red flag.
What’s Really Going On?
For many men, the real issue is testosterone deficiency. And not just the number your doctor glances at and calls “normal.” I’m talking about free testosterone—the form your body actually uses.
Even mild drops in free testosterone can cause:
Low libido
Erectile issues
Mood shifts
Low motivation
Increased body fat
But that’s not all. Other players like high estrogen, low DHEA, or even insulin resistance can quietly push your sex drive down, too.
How to Fix It—Without Guessing
You don’t need pills or gimmicks. You need to get to the root cause. Here's how:
1. Get Your Hormones Checked—Properly
This means full labs, not just total testosterone. You want to see free T, estradiol, SHBG, DHEA, thyroid, and more. This is standard practice in the Codex program.
2. Improve Sleep Quality
No deep sleep = no testosterone. Aim for 7–9 hours with minimal disruption.
3. Reduce Alcohol and Sugar
Both increase estrogen and lower testosterone production.
4. Train Smart
Strength training boosts testosterone. Overtraining does the opposite. Balance is key.
5. Dial in Your Nutrition
Zinc, magnesium, healthy fats, and protein are essential for hormone production.
6. Optimize Stress Management
Too much cortisol (your stress hormone) kills libido. Meditate, breathe, unplug.
CODEX
The Art of Aging Well
A revolutionary approach, created by award-winning, board-certified physician and surgeon, Dr. Peter Marta, combining the precision of conventional medicine and the nuance of functional medicine. At the heart of Codex is hormone optimization, with a comprehensive system addressing seven core areas vital for men’s wellness. What even many physicians overlook is that hormonal health and gut health are inextricably linked—you can’t have one without the other. Codex addresses these connections, unlocking vitality and balance through a tailored, easy-to-follow, scientific approach.
