Serious loss of libido since July
 

I'm new to this sub-section,

July is significant because I was in a boxing ring for the first time in 18mths and took a pummelling - I suspect head mild injury while the the medical profession including pdocs are holding fast with a diagnosis of a depression relapse. As a direct result I've been prescribed Venlfaxine 225mg/d and Quetiapine at 200mg/d.

Like the title says, since July I have suffered with lack of sexual desire, arousal, ED, difficulty achieving and experiencing orgasm. I also have no inclination to chat or flirt with attractive women. I feel as the wiring/nerve function in my head responsible for normal sexual function has been damaged from head trauma and as a result there is nothing doing downstairs :(

Because of my concerns around head trauma, my GP had my testosterone, prolactin and thyroid checked - all within range. Although T was around 460, so it was lower end rather than middle.

I was not satisfied with that, I requested to see an endocrinologist and was refused on several occasions, so after much agonising I have proceeded to have a full pituitary assessment done privately, including a re-check of the above plus luteinising, follicle stimulating and human growth hormone plus cortisol. I am hoping this will either give me piece of mind or flag up issues that my GP needs to take forward and address the situation, either way, it will be worth the money I have had to spend.


I realise there are 3 possible causes to my dysfunction

Head trauma - causing loss of brain regions responsible for arousal and depletion of dopamine and/or pituitary damage

Depression - say no more

Medication - Antidepressant coupled with a dopamine blocker

Or even better, I could have all 3, as depression frequently follows head injury. I just feel like part of my essential nature as a man is missing and apart from the medical professionals I have no one else I feel comfortable raising this with to this level of detail and feel like I am having to struggle with this all on my own, while my male and female friends are off out dating, seeing other people etc. I'm only 42, too young for this torture.

Hey Ady,

This stripping away of one's 'function and inclination' is a symptom and cause of Depression. Add your other 2 possibilities in and I think you have hit the trifecta.

What I can say with confidence is that all 3 of these reasons will pass. You will heal, with Counselling (I hope) and meds your Depression will lift, making the use of the meds unnecessary. Then all your drives and abilities will return.

Dave.

Hi Ady

Loss of libido is a known side-effect of many dopamine-blockers and anti-depressants. Perhaps you could discuss trying different versions of both with your doctor.

I endorse what Dave wrote about counselling and, more generally, non-pharmaceutical approaches. I live with depression and have found that a combination of medication and non-pharmaceutical approaches has been far more effective than either in isolation.

All the best.

Thanks for the prompt replies both of you :)

I've already mentioned my concerns around meds to the doctors/mental health professionals and was told they would like to see me stable and back in my job before they would consider reducing the dosages - which I can totally agree with in terms of mental stability.

It's not beyond my own ability and judgement to sensibly reduce the doses myself and monitor both my the impact of these changes on both my mood and libido. I have done this in the past when I thought the meds were interfering and I realise the importance of adhering to prescribed doses, especially in the early stages of beating depression.

I am being referred for interpersonal CBT therapy via the NHS (UK), this process includes an initial assessment to gauge my suitability possibly a further few months wait-list. I'm very au fait with therapy/personal development (especially person centred counselling and hypnotherapy), having been on that quest since 1995 :).

I have got other work arounds in the meantime including Vitamin D for testosterone and ZMA which contains a healthy dose of zinc. I also have l-tyrosine and D-L Phenylalanine for boosting dopamine.


I recently added the following to my armoury and have yet to try them out

Horny Goat Weed
Creatine
Anabol - a natural test booster


I'll post back as and when things change/improve