unrecognised physical reasons for lack of libido

[enigma]

My total lack of libido is jeopardising my relationship with dh.

I think all too often we rationalise lack of libido as down to tiredness with small children, quasi pyschological reasons (e.g. perhaps on some subliminal level your relationship with your husband could be better / you resent him etc)...but I'm beginning to wonder if there is a poorly recognised problem in this country of hormonal imbalance causing lack of libido in women?

I'm not overly tired (small children but they sleep through), am quite happy with dh generally (he's not perfect but a good sort really!), but just have no interest in sex. It's not a reflection on him - I don't have lustful thoughts about a single man (or woman!).

I'm wondering if my testosterone levels are too little (women have this sex hormone too). Particularly since during the third trimesters of my pregnancies I have felt randy as hell (which suggests to me that the mix of hormones at that time was okay)

Anyone else wonder if hormones are too blame, or know anything about this subject? I think that in the US they give testosterone supplements to affected women.

[dropinthe]

YES,YES AND THRICE YES!!
I agree with you totally and have often wondered the same thing-have brought it up with my Dr as cant believe hormone replacement isnt offered in this country on the NHS when it is in other countries. I think you could pay for the priveledge but I am in exactly the same boat as you-I find alcohol a good substitute for testosterone!

[JoolsToo]

also agree - in America (where else) you can get a 'free' testosterone level blood test and tablets to correct. (that free testosterone not free as in no charge )

Miriam Stoppard once trialed testosterone laced HRT and reported that they were fab and now understood why men thought about sex every 5 seconds! That was years ago - but I haven't seen anything about them since (more's the pity!)

[dropinthe]

We must hunt for the holy chalice that is....testosterone! Where's Hub2dee!!!

[enigma]

Well I would be happy enough to pay for it if available privately. I guess I could start googling it.

Sadly dropinthe - even alcohol doesn't help. Sends me to sleep in my armchair.

[StuartC]

Some conditions - for example haemochromatosis (excess iron in the blood and organs) - severely reduce libido. People involved still have normal testosterone levels but have no sex drive. There are a lot of people with this condition, but who don't know it. The symptoms are subtle and easily dismissed. A blood test for Ferritin level will diagnose it.

[JoolsToo]

are you are doc Stuart? (or just interested?)

[Gobbledigook]

Enigma - are you on the pill? That reduces libido in a lot of women (though I'm not sure that's how it's supposed to work!!).

[enigma]

I've actually recently been anaemic StuartC, so unlikely to be that....

[enigma]

Nope not on the pill either Gobbledigook...

[JoolsToo]

just how easy is it to get your free testosterone levels done in this country?

[SPARKLER1]

I suffer with depresssion and am on ADS. I was interested in getting intimate with my dh for quite some time and even now get my moments. For the last week or two I think the ADs have kicked in and I have felt much better in myself. Dh and have had a lot of intimacy (he is a happy man!! . I think it's defintely down to hormonal imbalance.

[SPARKLER1]

Sorry meant to say that I wasn't interested in getting intimate.

[enigma]

I've googled but haven't found anything useful yet. Am looking for a private clinic which might offer diagnosis and treatment.

I actually went to my doctor over a year ago. He looked taken aback that I was broaching the subject, arranged for an appointment with the surgery's phlebotomist, took a blood sample...and then it disappeared into the ether. I think there is a bit of apathy and disinterest in the problem in this country...which is a shame, because it must definitely is driving a wedge between me and dh and probably making him vulnerable to an affair if the right sort of predatory woman approached him

(which they might because he isn't bad looking and earns a packet)

[enigma]

Joolstoo,

In answer to your question below - not very easy. And I don't know where to go!

[enigma]

Sparkler,

I'm glad to hear that you and dh are not getting regular oats

I'm on ADs too but they have had no affect on libido one way or t'other.

[enigma]

I meant 'now' getting regular oats not 'not' (doh!)

[JoolsToo]

this may be the reason - its inconclusive

"To date a relationship has not been established between a specific level of testosterone and symptoms of sexual dysfunction in women. There is no established level of free testosterone below which a woman can be said to be deficient, nor any level to which a woman should be restored that determines that she is replete. Thus the diagnosis of diminished sexual function due to low testosterone remains a clinical diagnosis of exclusion. In the absence of a reliable free /total testosterone assay the limitations of the available assays should be understood, and the measurement of testosterone used to exclude use of testosterone in women in whom therapy might result in testosterone excess. "

I think the HRT was Estratest or something like that - it contained testosterone (I think!)

[enigma]

ummm

and I was pinning it on testosterone! (hoping that there might be a simple reason for my lack of interest)

Thanks for that though JT. Might explain it. Perhaps I should try some of the natural homeopathic remedies that are available over the net (but you wonder whether they are a rip off)

[JoolsToo]

if you google 'testosterone in HRT' - you'll get a lot more info that may help

[enigma]

Thanks, will try that

[StuartC]

JoolsToo - no, I'm not a doc. I'm interested in iron imbalance (family reasons). One of the effects of imbalance is lack of libido.

[JoolsToo]

thanks for that - must eat more spinach!

Don't think my iron levels are low except once I was banned from giving blood for a year cos one reading was just below the required 12 g

[StuartC]

Excess iron is a condition particularly affecting people whose racial origins are north west Europe.
It is frequently overlooked (who has heard of it?)

[JoolsToo]

not me! so are you saying excess iron affects libido.

You can actually learn a lot on this site!

[StuartC]

Yes. Excess iron will cause this.
Iron supplement tablets should only be taken under medical supervision.