Mechanism of libido suppression

[Ryanfox]

Hi guys
I have a general question. I'm curious about what the mechanism behind the libido axis. It seems to be quite common for people to have low libido issue after using steroid . Could anyone explain which hormone or what the mechanism is for that? Can we prevent from that happens? I tried to look for some information but couldn't. Many thanks.

[Marcus G]

Libido can be linked to Testosterone and estrogen, especially when coming off a cycle however there are other hormones that effect it as well the best way to prevent it is get pre cycle blood work with all the correct parameters. It's also worth noting that low libido can happen on cycle as well as (more commonly) off.

[Ryanfox]

Hi Marcus
Thanks for your reply. That what I was thinking before but I found actually not me and many others also suffered from low libido during the middle to late cycle while they we were still on test. And why like tren or some of them will suppress more libido than other kind of roid even if people always use test together? Sorry I just couldn't figure it out.

[DocToxin8]

Libido is complex.

Factors we know about;
-testosterone
-estrogen
-dopamine
-serotonin
-endorphins

[The Deadlifting Dog]

Libido is complex.

Factors we know about;
-testosterone
-estrogen
-dopamine
-serotonin
-endorphins

prolactin too right???

[DocToxin8]

prolactin too right???

Yeah, I'd think so.
Dopamine and prolactin are kinda linked.

Generally speaking low DA (dopamine) with high 5HT (serotonin) reduce libido.
High DA would suppress prolactin and usually increases libido.
MDMA causes massive surge in both DA and 5HT and can increase libido,
but amphetamines usually more so;
Massive surge in DA, less surge in 5HT.

AAS increase DA and 5HT synthesis and turnover.
How estrogen fucks with libido when it is high I'm not sure.
Low estrogen also supress libido.

Generally you'll be able to have quite a high libido on cycle if AR activation is high, DA is high (which makes prolactin low), and perhaps NE is high too.
Opiates/endorphins can reduce libido, but can also increase it or at least increase erectile function.
Apomorphine has been tried as an ED med, it works and is mostly a DA agonist.
(It doesn't not have opioid activity though)

[hammerheart]

prolactin too right???

It's not so much prolactin itself as the underlying mechanism of hyperprolactinemia - poor functioning of the dopaminergic pathways in the hypothalamus eventually leads to low libido itself and loss of inhibition of prolactin secretion by lactotrophe cells of pituitary, due to insufficient DA infusion via the infundibulum.

High serotonin can also well be cause of both low libido and moderate high prl.