Low Libido vs Vascular Erectile Dysfunction
Why They’re Not the Same Problem (and Why That Matters)
If you’re a man in your late 40s, 50s or 60s and something feels “off” sexually, you’re not the only one.
But here’s where many men go wrong:
They assume that losing interest in sex and struggling to get or keep an erection are the same thing.
They’re not.
And confusing the two can lead to the wrong treatment, months or years of frustration, and a quiet loss of confidence that no one ever talks about.
Let’s clear it up.
What Low Libido Actually Is
Low libido is about desire.
It’s the feeling of:
Not thinking about sex much anymore
Not feeling motivated to initiate intimacy
Feeling indifferent rather than frustrated
Men with low libido often say things like:
“I could take it or leave it”
“Sex just isn’t on my radar anymore”
“I love my partner, I just don’t feel the urge”
Common causes of low libido in men 45+
Low libido is usually hormonal, psychological, or lifestyle-driven, such as:
Falling testosterone levels
Chronic stress or burnout
Poor sleep
Depression or low mood
Weight gain and metabolic health issues
Certain medications
Key point:
If libido is low, erections may still work physically, but the drive to use them isn’t there.
What Vascular Erectile Dysfunction Is
Vascular ED is about blood flow, not desire.
Men with vascular ED often say:
“I want sex, but my body doesn’t cooperate”
“I get an erection but can’t maintain it”
“Morning erections have disappeared”
“Things just aren’t as firm as they used to be”
The desire is still there.
The interest is still there.
But the mechanics aren’t.
Why blood flow matters
An erection is a vascular event.
It relies on healthy arteries bringing blood into the penis and trapping it there.
With age, blood vessels can become:
Narrowed
Less elastic
Damaged by inflammation
Common contributors include:
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Smoking (past or present)
Sedentary lifestyle
Key point:
Vascular ED is often an early warning sign of broader cardiovascular issues.
The Crucial Difference Most Men Miss
Here’s the simplest way to tell the difference:
Low libido: “I don’t really feel like having sex.”
Vascular ED: “I want sex, but my erection lets me down.”
One is a desire problem.
The other is a delivery problem.
And treating one as the other rarely works.
Why Pills Often Miss the Point
Medications like sildenafil can temporarily increase blood flow, but they:
Don’t repair damaged blood vessels
Don’t improve long-term vascular health
Don’t address the root cause
For some men, pills stop working over time.
For others, they never worked properly in the first place.
That’s often a sign the issue is structural and vascular, not chemical.
Where Shockwave Therapy Fits In
At Men’s Room, we see a large number of men whose libido is intact but whose erections are weaker, unreliable, or inconsistent.
This is where low-intensity shockwave therapy comes in.
Shockwave therapy works by:
Stimulating new blood vessel formation
Improving endothelial function
Enhancing natural blood flow over time
It’s not a pill.
It’s not hormone therapy.
And it doesn’t rely on timing or planning intimacy around medication.
For the right man, it aims to restore function rather than mask symptoms.
Why Getting the Diagnosis Right Matters
If your issue is libido-related, you may need:
Hormonal assessment
Lifestyle changes
Stress and sleep optimisation
If your issue is vascular ED, you may need:
A blood-flow–focused approach
Cardiovascular risk assessment
A treatment plan that targets the underlying cause
Treating the wrong problem leads to:
Wasted time
Wasted money
And a growing sense that “nothing works”
A Final Thought for Men 45+
Struggling sexually isn’t a personal failure.
It’s not “just ageing”.
And it’s not something you have to quietly accept.
Understanding what the problem actually is puts you back in control.
At Men’s Room, we specialise in helping men make that distinction properly and move forward with clarity, not guesswork.
Ready to Get Clear on What’s Actually Going On?
If you’re not sure whether you’re dealing with low libido, vascular erectile dysfunction, or a mix of both, guessing rarely helps.
At Men’s Room, we offer a free, confidential call for men over 40 who want straight answers and a proper understanding of their options.
👉 Book your free Men’s Room clarity call here.