Daniel Lee, M. D.Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine
UCSD Medical Center
Owen Clinic
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. Doc,
Will you please tell me if AIDS affects a males sex drive. I have
been ask that question by a friend tha is afraid he may have
AIDS. I have told him that he needs to go to a Doctor, but I
think he is afraid to. I think he is trying to diagnose himself.
Thank you for your help
Daniel Lee, M. D.
Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine
UCSD Medical Center
Owen Clinic
I am not aware that there are many studies looking at male sex drive. However, HIV/AIDS can be associated with hypogonadism, or low testosterone levels (thus leading to a lower sex drive in males), in some patients. However, having a low sex drive is not necessarily a sign of HIV infection. As you have suggested, I also would recommend that he see a doctor to see why he may have a low sex drive and/or get HIV tested. It is the only way to determine if he has HIV. Thanks for your question.
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