Low libido at 23, please help

[Steve_W]

Hi guys,

I posted this on another forum but been doing alot of reading around here and seems to be some really great information, hoping somebody have help me. Overall sex drive and desire is low, erection strength is poor, difficulting maintaining an erection, long refractory periods, occasional morning wood but tends to be weak and quickly subsides.

Please excuse the wall of text. Last year I was tested and had quite high levels of T.

I'm 23, 5'9, 168lbs in the realm of 12-14% bf now. Basically to cut a long story short, I had a breakup with a long term girlfriend just before Christmas, this messed me up pretty bad for a few weeks, depression, anxiety, etc was all over the place. Anyway after a few weeks of all the over place eating/sleeping (or lack thereof) I started to do what guys naturally want to do in this situation and started training hard to get in great shape. At first I probably overtrained (even when I was exhausted I still pushed through it). My diet would of lacked serious calories with only 1800-2300 calories a day, which based on later experience was nowhere near enough. I had alot of protein and reasonable amount of fat, but very small amount of carbs. This continued for about 8 weeks, and needless to say experienced symptoms like no libido, fatigue, sleep distruptions to name a few.

So from end of March I upped the calories alot and decided to go on a "lean bulk" to put on some muscle and try and restore some hormonal balance etc. Libido slowly started to come back slightly and then faded again.

So am now weight training 2 times a week and have soccer training twice a week and play soccer on the weekend. My weights consist of a upper power (4-6 rep range) workout and then an upper hypertrophy (8-12 rep range) workout. The other session is legs and dependent on how they are feeling, recovery etc (i.e. if too sore from soccer I will not train them due to injuries etc).

Diet wise I eat 300-400g of carbs, 200g of protein and 90-115g of fat, mostly healthy sources of food.

Supplement with: creatine, multi, just started ALCAR, vit b, ZMA, whey protein, BCAAS during training.


So anyway, I have put on some good size and strength and am looking in some of the best shape I have ever been in, really happy with what I have achieved so far and getting alot of comments - however my libido is still in the ****ter.

So now I'm thinking wtf do I do. I've started getting into the best shape of my life, learning some good info, training hard, yet have no libido. So I went to the Dr to get blood tests, everything came back "normal",

9AM fasted

Cortisol 535 (110-550)
Testosterone - 16.5 nmol/L (normal 8-30) - For you guys in the US this is about 485
DHEAs - 10.6 (3.7-10.2)
FSH 4 (1-12)
LH 5 (1-12)
T3 = 5.3 (3.5-6.5)
T4 = 20.7 (9-25)
TSH = 1.8(0.5-5.00)
Prolactin - 7.7ug/L (under 20 normal)
Estradiol 62 pmol/L - OR 17pg/ml
Progesterone levels were 2.4 (< 4.1)

Cholesterol levels - Total chol = 4.0, HDL = 1.4, LDL = 2.2, Trigs = 0.9
Fasting sugar = 5.1 (normal)
Fasting Insulin - 7 (normal less than 10)


Kidneys Urea = 7, Creatinine = 83.


Liver - All normal
Vitamin D - 126 Which the Dr said was the highest he had seen (I take supplements so have cut back)

Also had another test the other day, though this one was about 4pm. Result came back at 12.5 for TT which is about 360.

I have cut down my training volume, upped calories and trying to get more consistent sleep pattern so still having problems either getting to sleep or staying in a deep sleep. So I am at the point where I don't know what to do!!! There's no point looking good if I have no sex drive!! Drs say there is no problem and won't help me, but this is definitely not the case. Again, apologies for the massive question but hoping somebody may be able to provide some insight or help on what to do from here. Thanks heaps..

 

[woodbear]

Im 39 with similar scores, but my libido and gym gains are great. My libido has been pornstar,3 times witout getting limp kinda stuff. Raging painfully hard morning wood. Like someone slipped me viagra during sleep
zma does that for me. I cycle it.
But i have had normal dude libido after havoc cycle last year with nolva pct. That put my t at 27, but e far over max.
You estradiol seems very high, whats the ref range? High e made my libido worse, even with high total t

 

[vassille]

Partially it is a left over trauma from the break up.
You are one of those ppl who take relationships seriously and upon a break up the wheels fall off. This seems like a mental breakdown from the break up. If not, then did you have sex issues when you were with her?

 

[Steve_W]

Im 39 with similar scores, but my libido and gym gains are great. My libido has been pornstar,3 times witout getting limp kinda stuff. Raging painfully hard morning wood. Like someone slipped me viagra during sleep
zma does that for me. I cycle it.
But i have had normal dude libido after havoc cycle last year with nolva pct. That put my t at 27, but e far over max.
You estradiol seems very high, whats the ref range? High e made my libido worse, even with high total t

Sorry they use different measurements of units here in Australia, it is equivalent to 17pg/ml. I was thinking maybe this is a tad on the low side if anything?

 

[Steve_W]

Partially it is a left over trauma from the break up.
You are one of those ppl who take relationships seriously and upon a break up the wheels fall off. This seems like a mental breakdown from the break up. If not, then did you have sex issues when you were with her?

Nope never had an issue when I was with her or prior to that. At first it definitely was related to the breakup, not sleeping, not eating properly etc, then libido came back and I screwed that up by overtraining and undereating. Now it is nearly 8 months post break, I'm completely over her and have a few other woman interested in me, but still having sex issues. Have been eating properly for months and reduced training volume for 3 months now, still not sure what is going on. Have been to a couple of Drs who have just brushed me off, I don't want TRT or anything like that but I know there is something wrong, I just don't feel quite right..

 

[woodbear]

I asked if you had the reference range for estradiol, you just put up 2 different numbers
Estradiol 62 pmol/L - OR 17pg/ml ?


But to be honest, it does not sound like hormones alone are the problem... but people are different, some need more testo to function than others...
You should have a new test, and make sure you get free testosterone tested along with SHBG

 

[vassille]

Nope never had an issue when I was with her or prior to that. At first it definitely was related to the breakup, not sleeping, not eating properly etc, then libido came back and I screwed that up by overtraining and undereating. Now it is nearly 8 months post break, I'm completely over her and have a few other woman interested in me, but still having sex issues. Have been eating properly for months and reduced training volume for 3 months now, still not sure what is going on. Have been to a couple of Drs who have just brushed me off, I don't want TRT or anything like that but I know there is something wrong, I just don't feel quite right..

Hmm, I see. I understand the feeling. I have run into similar situation. I figured you did not have issue before the break up that's why I asked. So libido came back which is good you got your head back straight but then you over did it in the gym. In this case, what I would do is to quit the gym for a few weeks. Concentrate on eating well and take naps and sleep as much as you can. Let your body recover, to me is nothing really wrong with you. If you have access take .25 arimidex to lower estrogen once or 2x a week for few weeeks then stop. Bt then you should recover.
I think you just systematically shut down your body and just needs rest and a little help to restart it again. Add a lot of saturated fats to your diet like eggs, coconut oil, butter, chesse. it will help with the recovery.

 

[Steve_W]

Hmm, I see. I understand the feeling. I have run into similar situation. I figured you did not have issue before the break up that's why I asked. So libido came back which is good you got your head back straight but then you over did it in the gym. In this case, what I would do is to quit the gym for a few weeks. Concentrate on eating well and take naps and sleep as much as you can. Let your body recover, to me is nothing really wrong with you. If you have access take .25 arimidex to lower estrogen once or 2x a week for few weeeks then stop. Bt then you should recover.
I think you just systematically shut down your body and just needs rest and a little help to restart it again. Add a lot of saturated fats to your diet like eggs, coconut oil, butter, chesse. it will help with the recovery.

Thanks for the advice. I actually took 3 weeks off the gym, still not a great improvement. A little but not where it should be. I don't have access to arimidex, hard to source those kinda things here in Australia. I can get things like DS Triazole/Erase Pro quite easily though. I thought my estrogen was already quite low, is it a wise idea to lower it further?

 

[The Matrix]

Thanks for the advice. I actually took 3 weeks off the gym, still not a great improvement. A little but not where it should be. I don't have access to arimidex, hard to source those kinda things here in Australia. I can get things like DS Triazole/Erase Pro quite easily though. I thought my estrogen was already quite low, is it a wise idea to lower it further?

i have contacts in aussie

 

[vassille]

Thanks for the advice. I actually took 3 weeks off the gym, still not a great improvement. A little but not where it should be. I don't have access to arimidex, hard to source those kinda things here in Australia. I can get things like DS Triazole/Erase Pro quite easily though. I thought my estrogen was already quite low, is it a wise idea to lower it further?

You right I looked at the wrong units of measure. 17 is ok dont need to lower further it wont help.
I've run into similar situation a few times when I was in my early 20's. I think you should look into depression as a cause of this. I went through the same thing with a few girlfriends break ups until I decided to not get attached so much anymore then the problem went away.
On average it took months to recover from this nonesense up to one year. No meds just gave it time to heal.
One word of advice, dont get emotionally involved as you did unless you sure she is the one because the same thing will happen again I can almost guarantee it.

 

[mysteri]

Mate, your definately not overtraining doing weights 3 x per week...
Don't lower your estrogen too much, your libido actually comes from estrogen!
For those that have competed you can be on 1000's of mgs of test and when you spend a few weeks on letro you will not be able to get or keep a boner lol
Sad but true.

Mate try getting on a good quality test booster,
My favourite for boosting libido aswell as using a pct I use BEAST supertest and get some DAA aswell,
U will notice it with 5-7 days.
Give that natural stack a go and tell me how you feel lol

If you want to see a video of people that have tried n tested beast supertest,
YouTube tmw: supertest

 

[mysteri]

If your not recovering properly from your soccer games n workouts, it could definately have
Something to do with nutrition aswell,
What is your diet like now?
You said you struggled with nutrition after the breakup.

 

[Steve_W]

You right I looked at the wrong units of measure. 17 is ok dont need to lower further it wont help.
I've run into similar situation a few times when I was in my early 20's. I think you should look into depression as a cause of this. I went through the same thing with a few girlfriends break ups until I decided to not get attached so much anymore then the problem went away.
On average it took months to recover from this nonesense up to one year. No meds just gave it time to heal.
One word of advice, dont get emotionally involved as you did unless you sure she is the one because the same thing will happen again I can almost guarantee it.

Thanks. Yeah initially I have no doubt that was the cause of things, but I have been over her for quite some time now and it is nearly 9 months later, have plenty woman interested me but just am lacking the sexual drive. Can't quite figure out what is going on

 

[Steve_W]

If your not recovering properly from your soccer games n workouts, it could definately have
Something to do with nutrition aswell,
What is your diet like now?
You said you struggled with nutrition after the breakup.

Thanks mate will not take anything to lower estrogen.

When I said overtraining, I was training with stupidly high volume, going running when my body was knackered and not eating anywhere near enough calories/carbs. This obviously created alot of problems but I have sorted out the diet since April with ample calories.

Diet is pretty good, I am currently (depending on training/activity) eating about 300-400g of carb, 200g protein and 90-115g fat. Have increased saturated fat the last 3-4 weeks, am eating more cheese and butter also.

 

[vassille]

Thanks mate will not take anything to lower estrogen.

When I said overtraining, I was training with stupidly high volume, going running when my body was knackered and not eating anywhere near enough calories/carbs. This obviously created alot of problems but I have sorted out the diet since April with ample calories.

Diet is pretty good, I am currently (depending on training/activity) eating about 300-400g of carb, 200g protein and 90-115g fat. Have increased saturated fat the last 3-4 weeks, am eating more cheese and butter also.

Good change in nutrition with adding chesse and butter. Give it a little more time before you pull the trigger. How do you sleep at night? Do you tend to sleep a lot or more than you used to?

 

[Steve_W]

Sleep tends to be hit or miss. Either have problems getting to sleep at a decent time or trouble staying in a deep sleep, tend to wake up tired

 

[vassille]

Sleep tends to be hit or miss. Either have problems getting to sleep at a decent time or trouble staying in a deep sleep, tend to wake up tired

Look into that it's important

 

[The Matrix]

Look into that it's important

Correct sleeps ---->proper cortisol production----- increased testosterone levels

One has to ask our selves after seeing several sleep studies the average 20-25year old get about 30 minutes-1.5 hours of restful sleep even though they sleep 8 hours...HMMMM can we why so many young guys are on HRT because they have altered sleep patterns on top of daily stresses whacking their adrenals into the ground ..What do the Dr give them more testosterone rather then addressing the problem at core. Then you wonder why are in an epidemic with health issues. Then people are asking for a magic formula to how I help people (under supervision of Dr) to get off TRT and get levels back to normal. Its called common sense !!

 

[Steve_W]

Didn't sleep real deep last night again, but didn't wake up tired this morning, woke up feeling aggressive and energetic, a weird feeling, not well rested, can't really explain it.

Do any of you guys have any experience with Primordial's Sustain Alpha?? I bought a bottle of the topical gel, is supposed to help with libido, my only concern is I don't want to lower estrogen at all

 

[GJMavris]

Are you currently on any Statin or cholesterol medication. (or any medication at all that could possibly has sexual side effects?)

 

[Steve_W]

Nope, no meds at all

 

[vassille]

Didn't sleep real deep last night again, but didn't wake up tired this morning, woke up feeling aggressive and energetic, a weird feeling, not well rested, can't really explain it.

Do any of you guys have any experience with Primordial's Sustain Alpha?? I bought a bottle of the topical gel, is supposed to help with libido, my only concern is I don't want to lower estrogen at all

You have to figure out why your sleep is bad. If you can consult with a doc you and see if you can get to get to the bottom of it. Dont take anything to arificially boost your hormons right now. If anything get a doctor to give you a prescription so you can get a good night sleep and take it from there.

 

[Steve_W]

You have to figure out why your sleep is bad. If you can consult with a doc you and see if you can get to get to the bottom of it. Dont take anything to arificially boost your hormons right now. If anything get a doctor to give you a prescription so you can get a good night sleep and take it from there.

Thanks for all of your advice. I did purchase some daa last week and sustain alpha, drive was a little better after about 5-7 days on DAA, actually felt very randy on Monday. Have used sustain alpha for 2 days and this has sorta subsided, i'm thinking maybe my estrogen is too low, I dunno. Acne has been terrible.

Definitely need to address the sleep issue for sure. I've contacted The Matrix, hopefully he can help me with these issues

 

[The Matrix]

Thanks for all of your advice. I did purchase some daa last week and sustain alpha, drive was a little better after about 5-7 days on DAA, actually felt very randy on Monday. Have used sustain alpha for 2 days and this has sorta subsided, i'm thinking maybe my estrogen is too low, I dunno. Acne has been terrible.

Definitely need to address the sleep issue for sure. I've contacted The Matrix, hopefully he can help me with these issues

Still treating symptom not cause.
Never received your message. Im on edge of future of.modern.medicine where i am.working at the top.of cascade while.drs are.dealing with issues way down.stream. Started working with soldiers coming back from Iraq and their families were they where placed on all.kinds of.meds. These where only bandaids which in many cases end up causing more issues ...

 

[Steve_W]

Still treating symptom not cause.
Never received your message. Im on edge of future of.modern.medicine where i am.working at the top.of cascade while.drs are.dealing with issues way down.stream. Started working with soldiers coming back from Iraq and their families were they where placed on all.kinds of.meds. These where only bandaids which in many cases end up causing more issues ...

Yeah I know, I probably shouldn't of purchased them but I wanted something to help in the short term. I completely understand about getting to the root of the problem though.

Sent you an email, added you on skype. Please let me know on skype when you are free

 

[The Matrix]

Yeah I know, I probably shouldn't of purchased them but I wanted something to help in the short term. I completely understand about getting to the root of the problem though.

Sent you an email, added you on skype. Please let me know on skype when you are free

Ah got ya...The time difference thing

 

[Steve_W]

Yep that's me. Hopefully speak to you soon