I now have a little more insight into why my libido and EQ is so poor. I mentioned in an earlier post that testing has shown my testosterone to be quite low. This helped explain why my libido and EQ was in the toilet, as Testosterone fuels both of these. When this came to light 5 months ago, my doctor started me on testosterone injections bi-weekly, although I've since changed that regimen to weekly at half the dose. This keeps your test levels more even, with less chance of peaks and troughs. There are different factors that can cause low testosterone (heavy alcohol consumption is one that I'm guilty of), but sometimes the cause is not known. Some studies suggest that there are too many estrogenic substances in our diet such as meat from cattle that have been fed hormones, pesticides on our fruit and vegetables (which are estrogenic) etc. Well, this past week, as I did more research into this issue, I discovered something that almost certainly has gotten me to where I'm at now. 13 years ago, I was in a near fatal motorcycle accident with pretty severe injuries. I was put on narcotic pain killers for the pain, and took them more or less consistently for 9 years. It was a real roller coaster ride and I went through major withdrawal at least 10 times over those many years. I still take them occasionally as needed, but often go weeks or months without taking any. In any event, I found out that long term consumption of opioids can kick the shit out of your testosterone. Well, the lights went on when I found that out. I had a doctors appointment today and mentioned this to my doctor and he confirmed it was true. I told him I wish I had known that years ago and he simply shrugged and said "we didn't know." Great! Well, a couple of weeks ago I went to see my GP for a refill of my testosterone prescription. He wrote the script and when I brought it to the pharmacy, the pharmacist asked me if I was aware that the dosage had doubled. I said I wasn't and would discuss with my GP. I mentioned this to him today, asking if my most recent script was correct and he said it was. Why then, I asked, is the dosage double what it was on the first script 5 months ago? He looked a little startled and said that this was the correct dosage as my test levels have dropped dramatically in the past 3 years. But I'm thinking to myself, "He already knew that when I got my first prescription." I think he just fucked up the first time, and tried to make it sound like new information showed that I needed this higher dosage. When I was first prescribed, I did a lot of research online and discovered that I was on an extremely low dose. In fact, I couldn't find anyone taking a lower dosage, and almost everyone was double or triple or more.
So, starting next week I'll be doubling up on the testosterone. I'm hoping this higher dose will help restore my libido and poor EQ. Might even help pack on a little more muscle in the gym. Now before people chime in and point out that using testosterone can shut down your natural production, let me say that I am aware of this. But, I'm 63 years old, and if taking a few minutes every week or two to do an injection brings back my mojo and improves my quality of life, then why not? Hell, it might even lead to further PE gains as a bonus!
I share all this because levels of testosterone have been declining for a few decades in the general population due, I think, to environmental and dietary issues. Also, Low test levels is not just a middle aged or old man's issue. More and more young men in their 20's and 30's are being diagnosed and given TRT (testosterone replacement therapy). So, if you are younger and having issues with libido, EQ, low energy, Gynomastia (man boobs), etc you might want to look into this. You may have low test levels and don't know it. A simple blood test will show where you're at.
Hope this helps someone out there having these problems.
Cheers
Fillerup