Folate deficiency and loss of libido

[EmptyOrchestra]

Posting this here in case it helps others, as I know there are plenty of posters experiencing a loss of libido.

I’ve had a complete loss of libido for several years now, had a phase last year where it came back briefly, but then it’s been gone again since last spring.

Recent blood test showed I have ridiculously low folate levels so was prescribed a supplement (5mg folic acid), less than two weeks later and my libido is back.

I have spent years and lots of money trying different things, paying for blood tests, researching. I have never heard of a link between low folate and loss of libido before. However I’ve just googled it specifically and immediately found a study linking low folate to sexual dysfunction in men whose sex hormone levels are normal (seems no one cares about sexual dysfunction in women enough to study it!).

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4236337/

I kept looking and there are a few articles mentioning a potential link.

Obviously it’s a higher dose than is found in multivitamins so I’m not sure if it’s safe to take that much without checking your level first but you could ask your doctor to check it or there are companies who’ll do private blood tests via finger prick.

Maybe it’s a coincedence and it will be gone again soon, but I don’t think it is.

Worth trying if you’re struggling with this - maybe it will help someone, male or female

Interesting OP, hopefully helpful for some.
I have low folate and noticed no difference either way however (though was unconcerned in the first place if that makes sense).

Bodies are weird though, I have b12 injections every 3 months (nhs, for a condition) and only get a period after I've had one that month and then not for the next two. I also get breakouts of mild acne for a week or so everytime I have the injection which is a real treat . Hormones are so easily affected by so many things it seems.

The pill lessened my sex drive considerably, so again, those pesky hormones!

I’m sure mine started off as a hormone issue but things have been normal in that department for a long time so I couldn’t understand it. Never would have occurred to me it could be something like a vitamin deficiency. Common with vitamin D deficiency and B12 deficiency too apparently. There’s very little research into this when it comes to women and doctors certainly aren’t bothered, so it’s really hard to manage.

I hope this does help someone. I’ve been like this for years and years and it’s caused me so many problems.

And yes, I’ve got spots from it too - but right now I’ll take it!

@EmptyOrchestra just found this thread and wanted to say THANK YOU! You posted it with the hope it’ll help someone. I’ve been wondering why my libido has been so low for someone in their early 30’s- due to stomach issues I got tested and also have been told I have ridiculously low folate. Having B12 injections now and then allowed to take folic acid and hoping this helps! The above is really promising!

@Tiffbiff Tiffbiff did it help?

@EmptyOrchestra are you good to go still libido wise?