Reduced sexual desire – Reduced Libido

Reduced sexual desire, libido, as time goes by is a usual, but abnormal process.

Contrary to the general view, which attributes the reduction of libido to the fact years go by, the desire for sex remains stable in both men and women, as long as certain conditions are met.

Firstly, they should be in good physical state, i.e. not to have Chronic, Autoimmune, or Metabolic Diseases, and secondly they should have a good psychological state, and be high interested in their Life.

Reduced sexual desire as time goes by is multifactorial process, relating to the causes included in these two principal prerequisites.

For a long time, we used to think that sexual desire reduction is absolutely inevitable.

However, Hormones play the most determinant role in low sexual desire.

Our Hormones and Reduced Libido

Hormones are chemical messengers, and though blood circulation provide the signals to our organs and tissues so that they perform their functions.

Any type of hormonal change creates a chaos in the organism.

Already from the third decade of our life, the levels of DHEA hormones and Testosterone start falling. Cortisol, the main stress hormone is secreted from the adrenal glands may start initially increasing, lowering the levels of Sex Hormones). In many women, estrogen and/or progesterone levels can be reduced, leading to estrogen dominance and PMS. Other hormones involved in the sexual act, include thyroid, oxytocin, insulin and ghrelin.

Cortisol

When the level of cortisol is too high or too low, or a combination thereof, a person may feel fatigue and cravings for sugar (sweets) and carbohydrates. Subsequently, fat is accumulated in the abdomen, with or without associated weight gain. Moreover, blood pressure becomes unstable, high or too low, or a combination thereof. Skin conditions may also occur, such as Eczema. Low sexual desire occurs following "adrenal fatigue.

Estrogens

Estrogens are known as the main female hormone. They shape the human body, help in breast growth and hip formation (they may also have the same effects on men’s breast and hips, increasing the fat). When it is in balance with Progesterone, menstrual cycle occurs in a timely manner, the skin is health, and our mood good. When estrogens levels are too high or too low, one or more of the following symptoms may appear:

• Water retention
• Heavy, too light, delayed, or even absence of menstrual cycles (Menorrhagia,
• Dysmenorrhea, Amenorrhea).
• Breast tenderness (breast pain) or cysts (cystic mastitis). Mood swings or PMS
• (Premenstrual Syndrome).
• Rapid weight gain, especially in the breasts or hips.
• Migraines.
• Redness-Flushing (Flushing) facial Rosacea.
• Vaginal dryness, vaginal atrophy, dyspareunia (pain during intercourse).

Thyroid

When thyroid gland’s functioning is low (subclinical Hypothyroidism), we feel tired and our body is sagging. Our hair get thinner, especially our lashes and the outer part of the eyebrow.

The usual signs of hypothyroidism are: Fatigue, especially in the morning, Weight Gain, Mood swings, Depression, Headaches, Hair loss or hair thinning (especially the lashes and the outer part of the eyebrows), Reduced sweating, Cold hands and feet, cold intolerance, Constipation.

Testosterone and Contraceptive Pills

When testosterone level is low, oral contraceptives have damaging effects. The pill increases the Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which is like a sponge absorbing free (and thus bioavailable) testosterone in the body. This results in low sexual desire, vaginal dryness, and dyspareunia (pain during intercourse).                                                                                                                                                                                                                             High testosterone levels is one of the main characteristics of the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (P.C.O.), affecting approximately 10% of women.

Low testosterone occurs with increasing age, contributing to both the development of depression and low libido in men and women.

Common symptoms of testosterone disorders include acne, oily skin, hirsutism or unwanted hair, especially on the face, chest and arms.   Anxiety or depression. Fatigue. Poor muscle response to high-intensity exercise or weight lifting. Irregular menstruation (e.g. every 35 days or more frequently), i.e. Dysmenorrhea, Polymenorrhoea. Infertility.

Reduction of Libido and Treatment

Every day we hear about a different method that can promote our desire for sex, our libido. Most of these methods can help, but they don’t solve the problem.

A thorough medical approach at the cellular level, though, which can correct hormonal imbalance and neurotransmitters, seems to have beneficial effects on both reduced sexual desire and metabolic problems.

Dozens of patients that followed the Treatment for at least three months, showed great improvement, at a rate of 85%. Apart from the contentious issue of libido, people also improved their physical status, as well as their social interactions. In general, their mood to participate actively in the joys of Life.

I wish all the best

Dr. Nikoleta Koini, M.D.

Doctor of Functional, Preventive, Anti-ageing and Restorative Medicine.
Diplomate and Board Certified in Anti-aging, Preventive, Functional and Regenerative Medicine from A4M (American Academy in Antiaging Medicine).