Minh, 39, a tech company CEO, consulted a men's health specialist due to persistent fatigue, decreased libido, and difficulty maintaining an erection, despite having no underlying medical conditions. Examinations and burnout assessments revealed significant burnout, coupled with low testosterone levels. After three months of lifestyle changes, reduced workload, cognitive behavioral therapy, and hormone monitoring, his physical and mental health, including his sexual health, improved considerably.

Similarly, Thanh, a 31-year-old marketing professional, worked online through the night for months to meet deadlines. Prolonged stress led to a decline in his intimacy with his girlfriend, occasional erectile dysfunction, and difficulty concentrating during sex. Tests revealed low testosterone, high cortisol, and severe burnout. After adjusting his lifestyle to include more exercise, eliminating overtime, and undergoing therapy, he regained both his sexual and mental well-being.

Doctor Tra Anh Duy of the Men’s Health Center says these are just two of many similar cases he has encountered. When discussing libido or male performance, many people immediately think of testosterone, stress, or age. However, burnout is often the silent culprit, robbing men of their energy, desire, and sexual prowess. It's not just fatigue after a long day; it's a state of prolonged exhaustion that disrupts mental, hormonal, and physiological functions.

Doctor Duy consults with a patient. Photo: Lam Anh

Doctor Duy consults with a patient. Photo: Lam Anh

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), burnout is a state of chronic work-related stress with three main components: feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job; and reduced professional efficacy. It's not just a psychological disorder but an occupational phenomenon that can profoundly impact overall health.

Modern men often face numerous pressures, such as being the family breadwinner, navigating workplace competition, and maintaining an image of strength. This sustained pressure can easily lead to unnoticed burnout. Men are also less likely to seek mental health support, exacerbating the situation.

Alarmingly, burnout directly impacts the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, which controls male reproduction and sexuality. Research published in Psychoneuroendocrinology indicates that chronic stress and burnout disrupt hormone production, particularly decreasing testosterone—a key male hormone. Low testosterone leads to several consequences, including reduced libido, fatigue, irritability, anxiety, and even mild depression.

Burnout also disrupts sleep, metabolism, immune function, and sperm production—all of which directly threaten reproductive health. Common consequences include sexual dysfunction, such as reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, and premature ejaculation. Another study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine confirms a direct link between burnout and decreased libido in middle-aged men. With prolonged fatigue, the brain's response to sexual stimuli diminishes, and the mind-body disconnect leaves many men wanting but unable to perform.

According to Doctor Duy, there's no "magic pill" for burnout. The most effective solution is restoring a healthy lifestyle, including sufficient sleep, regular exercise, managing work hours, building positive social connections, and seeking professional psychological help when needed. Studies show that burnout is reversible with early identification and intervention. If left unaddressed, it can have lasting psychological and physiological consequences.

Le Phuong