Hello everyone,
After over 6 months on TRT, I'm feeling better, although I can't be certain it`s the testosterone. I have quit caffeine, which probably reduced my high cortisol, so that may be part of it as well. I felt like shit even with high serum testosterone levels, but maybe it's just been taking time to start working.
Sadly, my libido is still pretty much hit and miss. Mostly miss.
I recall 3-4 days in August. My flaccid penis was fat, I had morning wood and my penis usually fluctuated between a 30-100% erection all day long. Quite frankly, it was even more than I wanted. I was really horny as well. I even got wood in the gym and had to conceal my boner on the way home.
At this point, I had just started talking to a new girl I really liked and was excited about (her personality), so I thought there could be a connection. But it did not last. I still have contact with this girl and have met others, but nothing like it.
It happens that I have good days once in a while, but mostly, my libido/erection quality is off. I`m not sure if my libido or EQ is the same thing, but my erection feels weak and thin, even when it's fairly hard. Enough to perform intercourse, but not with confidence. It just does not feel right. There is usually some "action" when I wake up, but it's weak.
What are factors that affect libido?
- Low testosterone - From what I've read, testosterone is overrated as a factor for libido. This makes sense with my real life experience and observations of other men. I'm sure I never was a high testosterone guy in my youth (slightly effeminate), but I had a high libido and rock hard boners every morning that lasted for hours.
- Thyroid issues - I just finished a trial with T3 and it did not help. Some have said I should try T4, but I suspect it's a dead end.
- Depression - I don't think I'm depressed. At least not enough that it should affect my libido/EQ. If anything, I'm depressed because my libido/EQ is low.
- Stress - I used to be very stressed with a lot on my plate and a lack of sleep, but not for the last year. There is some stress in my life, but I doubt it's enough to wreck my libido.
- Cortisol - Mine was high, but I hope and think it's lower now. I quit caffeine and took phosphatidyl serine for a while. I noticed my flaccid hanging much better and fuller, but no noticeable changes in erections.
- E2 - It's hard for me to say it too high or too low E2 can be a problem. BW says my E2 is normal, but it's not a sensitive test. Personally I doubt that this is it, but one can never know.
- Brain chemistry/neurotransmitters - Dopamine, Acetylcholine, Gaba, Serotonine, phenylalanine, etc. Any clues here? I wonder if this is what I should be looking into. I tried 5-HTP for a few days, but did not notice anything. Maybe I should try again. Or try some other amino acid. I know another guy with libido issues who got great effects from 5-HTP.
I`m starting to get desperate. I`m 28, soon 29 and have not really had a sex life for the last years. It's not that I've not had the opportunity, but I've felt sick and have not had the capacity. My libido has been zero. Now, it's much better, but far from good.
Please help. I`m sure someone else can benefit as well.
Thanks very much!
Best regards,
Renholder