Zero Sex Drive

Training Bodybuilding
41

[quote]cruncher wrote:
For those looking for more information on this topic, check out the following book:

“The Testosterone Syndrome”, Eugene Shippen, MD

Here’s the Amazon link:

Shippen is an internist who specializes in HRT. He discusses most of the information on this thread, including what is “normal” ranges, symptoms of low T, interaction w/Estrogen, and how HRT may affect your prostate.

cruncher

[/quote]

Great link. I heard about this book a while back but forgot about it. So, I just ordered it now. Thanks for the link!

I’ll give feedback after I read.

42

Quick update:

I went to see a Urologist yesterday and I have nothing but good things to say about the guy. He checked me out (everything normal) and saw my two prior Testosterone bloodwork results.

He says that there’s nothing physically wrong with me, and that my Test is within the normal range, but get this, he then says that for all we know my normal Test levels used to be 1500 and that is why I felt so shitty and w/ no sex drive.

Anyway, he prescribed Testim and we will reconvene in 3 weeks. I will get some more bloodwork to see if an increase in the dosage is warranted and also to see if my sex drive has increased.

All in all, great dr visit and I’m excited to hop on the hrt bandwagon.

-P

PS: He mentioned that he wasn’t against prescribing shots instead of Testim but wanted me to try this out first.

43

Unfortunately, I have many young male patients with frankly low Total and free testosterone levels. I’m taking guys in their early 20’s. Shocking really, but the estro-mimetic theory is valid.

Additionally, I find that over 90% of them have elevated lead, mercury and cadmium levels in blood and much, much higher levels upon provocation.

I find that 40% have elevated prolactin or reverse prolactin circadian rhythms. About half have elevated Estradiol levels and midpoint SHBG. None have acceptable IGF1 levels and I don’t regularly measure GH.

All have high stress and eat way too many carbs.

Most of these guys don’t want to start life long testosterone replacement therapy. In most, I perform a provocation test to determine if they are a primary or seconday hypogonad case. None of these guys wants to use other options such as beta HCG.

I have found Alpha Male to raise Total Testosterone levels but not enough. So I have tried combining it with 6-oxo and it works a little better. It all works even better if I can get the lead out… and the cadmium and the mercury at least down in levels.

The tougher cases we are going to try a series of far infra-red saunas combined with nutritional support aimed at increasing detoxification. Hopefully this will reduce the estro-mimetic compounds, but who knows?

Salivary Testosterone testing is still in its infancy. Some assays are better than others but like blood there are a number of flaws with all methods of testing. I don’t use it and can’t recommend it at this time. I like 24 hour urine and blood testing for most hormones.

44

[quote]Pambele wrote:
Quick update:

I went to see a Urologist yesterday and I have nothing but good things to say about the guy. He checked me out (everything normal) and saw my two prior Testosterone bloodwork results.

He says that there’s nothing physically wrong with me, and that my Test is within the normal range, but get this, he then says that for all we know my normal Test levels used to be 1500 and that is why I felt so shitty and w/ no sex drive.

Anyway, he prescribed Testim and we will reconvene in 3 weeks. I will get some more bloodwork to see if an increase in the dosage is warranted and also to see if my sex drive has increased.

All in all, great dr visit and I’m excited to hop on the hrt bandwagon.

-P

PS: He mentioned that he wasn’t against prescribing shots instead of Testim but wanted me to try this out first.[/quote]

I have run into some of the problems from low T levels you are describing here. I urge you to check your diet, stress levels, and sleep patterns. Those were three big mistakes I was making in my life. A low fat diet, high stress, and lack of sleep from the stress tanked my T levels. I don’t even want to admit what they were across multiple testings.

My doctor wanted to prescribe HRT, but after some research, I decided to try and solve the other problems first. You also mentioned doing some cycles in the past. Did you do appropriate post cycle therapy(PCT)? Without this, your body may have shut down T production, and never started it up again. PCT will get your body going naturally without the suppression of HRT.

This is actually a topic that most people who expound upon the benefits of HRT fail to mention. HRT is prescribed steroids. This is not a bad thing, but we should all note that this will further suppress natural production with any extended use. This will require a long-term commitment to HRT, and PCT if you do stop. I don?t think most doctors follow up on this. Try to look to the factors stated above and potentially the PCT before you commit to HRT. My two cents.

45

First off there are too many problems with blood testing for testosterone (and hormones in general) for it to be considered accurate. Find a reputable lab (Diagnos-Techs for example) and get them to do an ASI saliva test for you.

The real problem is DHEA levels and their ratio to cortisol. Chances are that you are experiencing adrenal fatigue which is a very common condition in this day and age. Read Charles Poliquin’s latest interview on this site for more on that (the active population often have much lower T levels). Also low DHEA levels could be caused by so many things that a normal doctor will not test for. e.g. poor digestion and absorption of nutrients resulting from an HCL deficiency in the stomach, parasites (very common), yeast (very common), poor intestinal tract integrity (very common).

Get some proper tests done and the cause should become clear. In the mean time get lots of ZMA, fish oil etc. Keep the training volume VERY low (maybe take a week off). Sleep lots. Eat lots of good meat, veggies and fruits.

Hope this helps.

46

[quote]TC wrote:
Go-Rilla wrote:

Go ahead and hypothesize. Are you hearing this more now than in the past?

Yes, it seems to be fairly common–or at least more guys are talking about it.

If I were to guess, I’d guess that it could have something to do with environmental estrogens that seem to be rampant.

Hell, there’s even evidence of polar bears in the Arctic being born as hemaphrodites because of “estrogen pollution” (my term).

Or, it might have something to do specifically with weight lifting. Contrary to what’s often written, weight lifting seems to cause a drop on baseline T levels for a day or two afterwards.

Since we lift all or most of the time, could it be that our T levels are depressed all the time?

Scary thought, but luckily this can be remedied.

[/quote]

TC, you raise a valid point here. I have found through the years, when I am involved in a training schedule which has me involved in a routine where I am in the gym for 60 minutes maybe four times per week my desire goes out the window.

It never seemed to be the frequency which lowered my desire. It was the length AND frequency combined.

I discovered this long ago when I was in my late 20’s.

I realized that if I kept my training sessions to no more than 30 to 40 minutes that my desire for sex was not only not harmed but actually enhanced.
That doesn’t mean that you can never go 60 minutes or better in a workout. In fact, once per week I have a long session like this. But I also balance it with only a 20 minute session during the week as well.

Also, I found that when I did cardio that too enhanced my desire.

You have to see what works for you. Experiment, lay off the weights for a couple of weeks and see how you feel. Also, don’t worry about it, as that will not help the problem.

There is a logical answer, and it will turn up.

Good Luck,

Zeb

47

Good post Zeb.

[quote]ZEB wrote:
TC wrote:
Go-Rilla wrote:

Go ahead and hypothesize. Are you hearing this more now than in the past?

Yes, it seems to be fairly common–or at least more guys are talking about it.

If I were to guess, I’d guess that it could have something to do with environmental estrogens that seem to be rampant.

Hell, there’s even evidence of polar bears in the Arctic being born as hemaphrodites because of “estrogen pollution” (my term).

Or, it might have something to do specifically with weight lifting. Contrary to what’s often written, weight lifting seems to cause a drop on baseline T levels for a day or two afterwards.

Since we lift all or most of the time, could it be that our T levels are depressed all the time?

Scary thought, but luckily this can be remedied.

TC, you raise a valid point here. I have found through the years, when I am involved in a training schedule which has me involved in a routine where I am in the gym for 60 minutes maybe four times per week my desire goes out the window.

It never seemed to be the frequency which lowered my desire. It was the length AND frequency combined.

I discovered this long ago when I was in my late 20’s.

I realized that if I kept my training sessions to no more than 30 to 40 minutes that my desire for sex was not only not harmed but actually enhanced.
That doesn’t mean that you can never go 60 minutes or better in a workout. In fact, once per week I have a long session like this. But I also balance it with only a 20 minute session during the week as well.

Also, I found that when I did cardio that too enhanced my desire.

You have to see what works for you. Experiment, lay off the weights for a couple of weeks and see how you feel. Also, don’t worry about it, as that will not help the problem.

There is a logical answer, and it will turn up.

Good Luck,

Zeb
[/quote]

48

[quote]Pambele wrote:
Hey guys, I’m 30yo and my sex drive has been almost nonexistent for longer than I care to admit. Here are the results of my bloodwork:

-Total Test 390 (Normal 260-1000)
-% Free Test 1.5 (Normal 1.0-2.7)
-Free Test 57.6 (Normal 50.0-210.0)
-Androstenedione 35 (Normal 50-220)

FSH, LH, IGF-1, HGH were all normal. My endo wants to send me to a urologist to see what’s going on. I was positive that my test was going to turn below normal levels; I have done two cycles in the past and they made me horny as hell so I figured the test was the ticket but I guess I was wrong.

What do you guys suggest? Have you been in a similar situation than mine? I wonder what answers the urologist can come up with.

Best,
P [/quote]

Sometimes the mind can really fu(k us up. I am not saying this is your situation but it could be a psychological problem that will remedy itself. Sometimes just knowing it is our minds playing tricks on us is the cure. I am saying this from experience.

49

Wait a second here. Where did the specifics on this stamp trick come from? It could cost anywhere from $.39 to $2:00 depending on the size of your penis. Is it really worth it? Who cares about your nocternal erection anyway? It’s simple buddy, if you can’t get it up during sex it doesn’t matter whether or not you broke 7 tightly perforated stamps in bed the night before.

I do have a question though…do I lick the stamps or my junk?

50

Before taking any exogenous substances, contributing factors that need to be explored include:

  1. Diet
  2. Exercise
  3. Sleep
  4. Past history of ANY psychiatric condition (i.e. depression)
  5. Past medical history
  6. Current medications
  7. Occupation (how many hours do you work and what do you do?)

beef

51

I’ve been having some problems with low-sex drive as well. The thing is I’m about to turn 21, which really scares me at this age. I believe the problems began about a month ago when I was sick with strep throat for about 3 weeks, where I ate VERY little. I took two antibiotics while I was sick; penicillin (10 days) and cefuroxim (7 days). Is it possible for these antibiotics to some how have screwed up my sex-drive? Or perhaps it was the 3 weeks of malnutrition? The bottom line is, I’ve been better for over a week now, I’ve been getting a ton of food, and my sex-drive is still near zero.

Is it time for me to see a doc?

52

The simplest, probably cheapest, solution is well…do another cycle…

53

How can soy affect your sex drive? is soy not a good thing? also am 23 and am experiencing problems probably over the last 6-9 months in the decreased sex drive. Talked to Doc and he said it is probably school stress and/or stress related to working out.

Anything that can be prescribed to see if its tesosterone related? or gotta go through the special doc’s?

54

[quote]hungryone wrote:
I’ve been having some problems with low-sex drive as well. The thing is I’m about to turn 21, which really scares me at this age. I believe the problems began about a month ago when I was sick with strep throat for about 3 weeks, where I ate VERY little. I took two antibiotics while I was sick; penicillin (10 days) and cefuroxim (7 days). Is it possible for these antibiotics to some how have screwed up my sex-drive? Or perhaps it was the 3 weeks of malnutrition? The bottom line is, I’ve been better for over a week now, I’ve been getting a ton of food, and my sex-drive is still near zero.

Is it time for me to see a doc?[/quote]

I have never seen or heard of antibiotics killing a mans sex drive. That doesn’t mean that it has never happened, but honestly I’ve never heard of that.

55

I’m 46 and the only time i feel my sex drive begin to fall is when I overtrain.
Just like Zeb mentioned.

Lower cals (while cutting) and higher intensity training (while cutting and trying to retain lbm) will kick the shit out of anybodies libido.
Just as soon as I start back to regular workouts and maintenance dieting (or better yet above maintenance) I start to feel like a hound dog surrounded by bitches in heat.
For the wife it’s also a double edged sword…low libido means I don’t chase women (as much anyway) but she gets intermitent sex…high sex drive means she worries about me always rubbernecking the babes and keeping it in my pants but the bonus is lots of sex.
You just can’t please those wives these days.

NB. I find it difficult to believe that guys in thier 20’s are experiencing these troubles. It’s a sad state of affairs and there definitely must be environmental reasons for this.

Could it be a plot by The New World Order to lower the population and or make us all docile metrosexuals who are easily controlled?
Food for thought. Drinking water anyone?

56

A month on Alpha Male and a better diet really made a huge difference in my energy and moods. I have always had a huge sex drive so I didnt notice any change in that department; luckily I am married to a boderline nympho… sorry for bragging!

57

Quick update:

I switched from Testim to Test Cyp (150mg every 5 days) and after the third shot, my sex drive went through the roof.

Now I have to play around with the dosage to see what is the absolute minimum that I need.

58

[quote]bman13 wrote:
How can soy affect your sex drive? is soy not a good thing? also am 23 and am experiencing problems probably over the last 6-9 months in the decreased sex drive.
[/quote]

Maybe you have only been around this site for short while so you don’t know how T-Nation feels about soy. Please read these articles:

http://www.T-Nation.com/findArticle.do?article=body_87prote
http://www.T-Nation.com/findArticle.do?article=body_143soy
http://www.T-Nation.com/findArticle.do?article=185soy2