Symptom guide
Low libido in men: when it's low testosterone, when it isn't
Low libido is the single most predictive symptom of low testosterone — but it has other causes too. Here is how to tell them apart and what to do next.
What "low libido" actually means clinically
Doctors look for a sustained drop in sexual desire — not in performance, and not occasional dips. The key signal is loss of spontaneous interest, including the absence of morning erections, over weeks to months.
Causes other than low T
- SSRIs and SNRIs — sertraline, escitalopram, venlafaxine all reduce libido.
- Opioids — chronic opioid use suppresses LH and testosterone.
- Alcohol — heavy intake lowers testosterone.
- Sleep apnoea — fragmented sleep crashes testosterone production.
- Depression — overlaps with low T but is its own condition.
- Relationship factors — context-dependent low desire is rarely hormonal.
How to get tested in Australia
- Take the ADAM screen — question 1 is specifically about libido.
- Book a morning GP appointment. Ask for a bulk billed hormone panel including prolactin (high prolactin suppresses libido independently of testosterone).
- Blood draw before 10am, fasting.
- Repeat on a second morning to confirm.
What treatment looks like
If testosterone is confirmed low, a doctor will discuss whether any treatment is appropriate, along with its risks. If testosterone is normal, the conversation shifts to mental health, medicines, sleep and relationship factors.
People also ask
Is low libido always a sign of low testosterone?+
No, but it is the single most predictive symptom. Low libido can also be caused by stress, relationship factors, depression, certain antidepressants (especially SSRIs), opioids, alcohol, and sleep deprivation. A morning blood test rules low testosterone in or out.
What testosterone level is too low for a normal libido?+
Most Australian men with a libido issue caused by testosterone have a total testosterone below 8 nmol/L on two morning tests, or a low calculated free testosterone with normal total. Above 12 nmol/L, testosterone is rarely the cause.
Can treatment help low libido?+
If low testosterone is confirmed, a doctor will discuss whether any treatment is appropriate and what to expect. Results differ between people and are not guaranteed. Relationship, mental health and medicine-related causes are common and are assessed as well.
Get matched with a men's health doctor for low testosterone
Leave your details and a partner men's health clinic will call you at a time that suits, to talk about your symptoms and whether a blood test may be appropriate.
Take the free 2-minute symptom check
The ADAM symptom check shows whether your symptoms may be worth discussing with a doctor. You can also request a callback to get matched with a men's health doctor at a partner clinic, by telehealth or in person, for an assessment.
Start the free assessmentWant to talk to someone first? Read how getting matched with a doctor works.
*Blood tests may be bulk billed where eligible, subject to doctor assessment and clinical indication.