Trouble with libido lately

[smokedsalmon]

I have a similar post on another forum, but trying to make sure I don't overlook anything.

The last month or so I've had a hell of a time getting any sexual interest going. It's odd because the last 1.5 months I've done a really great job at cleaning up some bad habits (nicotine, alcohol, poor sleep, etc).

My last blood test came back at 602 TT/14.9 FT/24 E2, on about 150mg/week (split ED). I decided to go up to about 168mg/week (1 line up on the syringe) to raise this, about a week ago. No AI, no HCG.

I haven't even been masturbating or anything. I have started getting morning wood again since raising my dose.

Not sure if this is just from dose changes and needs time to level out, or if I'm missing something else.

 

[mooseman109]

Man I hear you. Some guys seem to find a protocol that works forever and rarely have to change. Then there are others like myself, that nothing seems to remain the same for long periods of time. I am an everyday guy as well. My numbers seem to stay 650-750 for total and low 20s for FT and mid 20's for E2. SHBG for me is 40-60. Some months go where I am ready to hump a hole in a tree an then go thru a period of not a lot of interest. I look at sleep patterns, diet, activity level at work..... So far I can not put the puzzle together! It is a journey. Sorry I cannot offer solution, but I can at least commiserate with you!!LOL

 

[antelopers]

Would you consider HCG instead of increasing your dose? It does wonders for my libido even if it does make e2 management a bitch

 

[smokedsalmon]

Man I hear you. Some guys seem to find a protocol that works forever and rarely have to change. Then there are others like myself, that nothing seems to remain the same for long periods of time. I am an everyday guy as well. My numbers seem to stay 650-750 for total and low 20s for FT and mid 20's for E2. SHBG for me is 40-60. Some months go where I am ready to hump a hole in a tree an then go thru a period of not a lot of interest. I look at sleep patterns, diet, activity level at work..... So far I can not put the puzzle together! It is a journey. Sorry I cannot offer solution, but I can at least commiserate with you!!LOL

Thanks man, glad to hear I'm not alone! I alway hoped I'd be one of the easy cases, but it didn't work out that way. Guess we all hope that though lol

 

[smokedsalmon]

Would you consider HCG instead of increasing your dose? It does wonders for my libido even if it does make e2 management a bitch

Absolutely considering it again! I have some around, but I'm trying to avoid the knee-jerk reaction to just try it.

But also hearing that some doctors are prescribing even lower doses of HCG now (like 250iu/week) is encouraging, as high doses make me feel awful.

How much T/HCG do you take?

 

[smokedsalmon]

Update - tried 100IU HCG yesterday.

Balls did definitely drop back down, felt pretty good last night but a little cranked up. Today feeling more on the anxious side than normal.

No real noticeable effects sexually, making me hesitant to try more.

 

[wondering]

Update - tried 100IU HCG yesterday.

Balls did definitely drop back down, felt pretty good last night but a little cranked up. Today feeling more on the anxious side than normal.

No real noticeable effects sexually, making me hesitant to try more.

It can take a little bit to settle down. I wouldn't give up after a couple injections.

 

[smokedsalmon]

It can take a little bit to settle down. I wouldn't give up after a couple injections.

good point. I wish there were a huge poll on here on how many guys like HCG. That’d help a lot to motivate me to stay on it!

 

[smokedsalmon]

It can take a little bit to settle down. I wouldn't give up after a couple injections.

Did you find that HCG improved your libido?

 

[wondering]

Did you find that HCG improved your libido?

Nothing has worked for me. I have tried most everything. Cabergoline will be next. Not sure if there is anything after that that I haven't tried. My labs are pretty much perfect. It sucks.

 

[wondering]

good point. I wish there were a huge poll on here on how many guys like HCG. That’d help a lot to motivate me to stay on it!

Give it a couple months then you will know. Doesn't matter what others experiences are.

 

[smokedsalmon]

Nothing has worked for me. I have tried most everything. Cabergoline will be next. Not sure if there is anything after that that I haven't tried. My labs are pretty much perfect. It sucks.

I was doing alright (in waves) until the end of January. Had a run of insomnia, and had to take prescription sleep meds for a little over a week.

I actually feel probably the best I've felt in years now, minus this missing libido. I honestly have no idea what it is, short of some frantic TRT protocol changes.

I think I just have to suck it up and wait it out, relying on Cialis to get me through the next few weeks.

Also look into quinagolide or ropinerole if caber doesn't treat you well. They're much more modern non-ergolide drugs.

 

[smokedsalmon]

Give it a couple months then you will know. Doesn't matter what others experiences are.

Admittedly I'm a little scared as my past HCG experiences have not been positive, but I'm running out of options.

ED I can deal with via Cialis, but low libido ends up causing ED, and Cialis barely helps. Plus met a really cool girl recently. Thankfully she's been understanding.

 

[wondering]

I have been without libido for 23 years. The last 10 on TRT, Thyroid, etc. etc. Nothing has made any difference. Cialis is marginally helpful, but not really. It isn't a plumbing issue, so how much can that really help.

 

[smokedsalmon]

I have been without libido for 23 years. The last 10 on TRT, Thyroid, etc. etc. Nothing has made any difference. Cialis is marginally helpful, but not really. It isn't a plumbing issue, so how much can that really help.

Have you had prolactin tested?

I am a believer that there are other things we still can't quantify in a blood test.

 

[wondering]

Have you had prolactin tested?

I am a believer that there are other things we still can't quantify in a blood test.

It's rarely higher than 12. But have had it at 7 and still no libido. Why I hate to say Im doubtful Cab will do much, but will see.

Agree, just cause noone knows why doesnt mean there isnt a physical reason. Sucks. I have had women chase me most of life and to have zero libido for most of it just sucks. Kid visiting the candy store every day but can never have any.

 

[smokedsalmon]

It's rarely higher than 12. But have had it at 7 and still no libido. Why I hate to say Im doubtful Cab will do much, but will see.

Agree, just cause noone knows why doesnt mean there isnt a physical reason. Sucks. I have had women chase me most of life and to have zero libido for most of it just sucks. Kid visiting the candy store every day but can never have any.

I'm curious too if it helps guys without elevated prolactin.

Hoping for the best for you too man, I feel for you. Been about 10 years of this stuff without a true resolution.

 

[smokedsalmon]

Spoke to Defy today, and they suggested raising my dose from 150mg/week to 200. Might be a little extreme but I'm considering at least going up half of that.

It's a tough call to make. I also feel great in every other aspect on 150mg/week. Mood is amazing, I'm doing great at work, at the gym, etc. I do find myself a little run down late at night though.

My libido has been fine in the past on 150mg/week, but I've never tried anything higher for an extended period of time.

 

[UCFguy01]

Spoke to Defy today, and they suggested raising my dose from 150mg/week to 200. Might be a little extreme but I'm considering at least going up half of that.

It's a tough call to make. I also feel great in every other aspect on 150mg/week. Mood is amazing, I'm doing great at work, at the gym, etc. I do find myself a little run down late at night though.

My libido has been fine in the past on 150mg/week, but I've never tried anything higher for an extended period of time.

I've been on 200mg a week for a few years without any blood work issues to speak of. It doesn't hurt to try 200mg and see. You can always lower it later

 

[smokedsalmon]

I've been on 200mg a week for a few years without any blood work issues to speak of. It doesn't hurt to try 200mg and see. You can always lower it later

When I did try it, it was a really poor experiment on my part (I'll admit that). I was in a shitty relationship, under a ton of stress, drinking quite a bit, and then blamed it all on E2 and took some anastrozole and crashed my E2. It was so bad, I almost quit TRT.

I lowered my dose back down, my E2 came back up, and I felt much better. My libido returned briefly, then went away, which I now wonder if that was a result of too low of a dose.