Great discussion! I definitely had thought about the phenomenon of SSRIs decreasing libido in connection with the issue of whether it’s an increase in serotonin from high TRT doses that triggers the same reaction. Recognizing that we are all speculating quite a bit, I note that a number of high dose TRT users report using Wellbutrin to enhance libido. Also Dexter reports using Masteron, which aromatizes at something like 20% of the rate of test, to enhance libido at higher TRT doses. Interested in experiences with and/or comments on use of these two compounds for this purpose.
Very similar sexual sides between the two. I wonder if it’s simply just the man (or woman) taking it and their unique chemical physiology. Perhaps if you’re one of the 35% of unlucky people who have weird sexual sides on SSRIs, you’d also be susceptible to the same type of shit on testosterone?
About 18 years ago going into to my doc to complain of obvious low T symptoms my GP did the standard dumbass medical system practice of ignoring me completely and immediately prescribing me an SSRI in about 4 minutes. (that’s a common story i keep hearing on this site) I had instant sexual side effects that didn’t really let up until I got off it. Tried another brand, same thing but worse.
17 years later I finally get on TRT, and now if I get on too much, exact same sexual side effects. I mean exact. The almost two decades in between, no probs sexually.
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What’s your current protocol
Like?
Today I’m starting a low dose. 75mg per week.
Mine?
76mg per week. Been stuck there for months, save for 1 attempt to go back to 100mg, but that was dick killing. I recently switched it up to 2 38mg IM’s per week to see what happens.
Exactly the protocol I’m starting.
I’m honestly not seeing too much of a difference yet vs 75 once a week. Other than being tired as shit the first week, the 75mg side effects I struggle with are the same thus far. My theory was perhaps with splitting the dose I can get my weekly mg a little higher without the dick killing sides I get above 75. Not sure my bod is gonna let me though, my dose just seems to be between 50 and 70.
Any libido?
Ya man, but I only had a prob with that on higher doses.
Interesting. My fingers are crossed I get some at a low dose.
I recall pre trt levels were anywhere from 150-350, and I had a tinnny little bit of libido.
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Can’t hurt to try. You take anything else besides test that might be causing side effects?
Nope. Just test.
That should make it easier to solve only working with 1 thing. If it doesn’t work, I’d love if we could get a good convo going about managing E2, serotonin (or some other weird thing test does) that didn’t devolve into guys calling other guys morons for even mentioning it.
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So, I am indirectly exploring the science on this slowly, in the pursuit of other info. Serotonin production is on an axis with catecholamines (In the brain anyway), so if one goes up the other goes down. Serotonin goes up, dopamine and it’s buddies drop, you chill out. If your serotonin production is too high, the most basic way to try and counteract it is to force some catecholamine production to achieve some balance. The easy thing would be take some Adderall, but I am not suggesting that. It might serve you to try mucuna pruriens (L-dopa) or phenylalanine, or tyrosine, and see what that does.
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I have tinkered with Buspar. Without getting techinical, it essentially will raise dopamine while lowering serotonin briefly, before the serotonin aspect raises up, causing it’s anxiolytical effects.
I definitely notice an increase in sexual thoughts on it after about 7 days of ingestion, which then slowly tapers off. I have tried staggering doses eod, etc, without getting the libido bit to stay.
There is a drug call Addyi, that is for female hypoactive sexual desire disorder. I tried to get my dr. to prescribe me it to try. He wouldn’t. It’s mechanism of action is closely related to buspar.
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There is a thing Ravers like to do, or so I have read, when recovering from a weekend’s use of Ecstasy. They take a huge dose of 5-HTP. Like a bottle. It triggers massive serotonin release for temporary relief. It also burns everything out for at least a few days serotonin wise. They get a massive swing back and forth across the axis of serotonin and catecholamine production. I’m thinking that someone with an issue could do the opposite, take a large dose of L-dopa or some other precursor and try and trigger a swing, or take an elevated dose for a while and intitute a new “Normal” level that the body shoots for.
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Interesting. Never heard of that. I thought 5 HTP helped with production of serotonin, not release of it.
Bizarre what ppl do.
It helps with production, but what the high dose does is use up all the capacity for a big burst, which in turn saturates receptors and sends everything to zero afterwards for a while. I lack the protein to do such a thing, but it was interesting to read about.
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My brother was on sertraline (Zoloft) for years for his anxiety, 150mg/day. His libido and ability to orgasm were totally in the toilet. He finally got off that SSRI and uses generic Wellbutrin now.
I do know that some docs prescribe low-dose sertraline off label for premature ejaculation issues, so I’m sure there’s a connection with elevated serotonin levels and sexual sides.
They do. It’s hard to orgasm with greater serotonin levels. Hence why many have a hard time with E2 elevated. Estrogen increases serotonin.
When i was on 400mg testosterone per week, it was sooo hard to orgasm.
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I know when my E2 gets too high, it’s very difficult for me, too. I seem to be an efficient aromatizer because I can’t let E2 find it’s own level. It simply keeps creeping up so I have to use an AI.
What was your E2 on 400mg/week?