His and Her Health

I am new here and I just wanted to say...<BR>"THANK GOD" I found this site. I am so thankful. I heard of it before, but I was always to busy to actually sit down and have a closer look.<BR>Now that I see what is going on here I am so amazed to see this.<BR>For me this site feels like a big huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.<BR>Why.... because I suffer from a Sexual Dysfunction. Here I see many others like me! Now I know I am not crazy!<BR> I am a women that has no sex drive...NO libido...NOTHING!<BR>And the world has been crapy for me for years due to it. (if you get my drift)<BR>This effects my life, my relationships with friends, and family. It effects my work, my existance, and my mood.<BR>Wow that feels good to get that off my chest! <BR>But really.....having no desire really kills a mood if you know what I mean. I feel ...and I know that I am different than the average person because I have no desires. After awhile it breaks you down and soon I feel worthless. I am not depressed I am just being totally honest with you. <BR>Having a Sexual Dysfunction is no fun.<P>So to the part I need help with ...what am I going to do?<BR>I have all the books....I have taken the testestorone.....I have got my levels checked.....I have tried just about everything! Now where do I go from here? I need help and I am sick of feeling the way I do. I want to feel good inside. I want to have orgasms, and I dame well should be able to, dont you think?<BR>I feel like every day I wake up to an empty body. I want to feel something!!! I am so tired of this! <BR>If you have any advice please help. I would much appreciate your advice and help.<BR>Thank you.<P>

A good starting point would be if you could post your test results along with whatever normal ranges your laboratory has determined. Normal ranges vary from lab. to lab. and test results can only be examined within the context of the given normal ranges.

love,<P>Some other things it would be really helpful to know, if you don't mind answering:<P>--are you on any medications?<BR>--how is your general, physical health?<BR>--How was sex addressed in your family?<BR>--Have you ever masturbated. If so, was it physically pleasurable?<BR>--Can you become interested in sex if a lover initiates?<BR>--Can you orgasm?<BR>--Do you like other kinds of touching--hugging, kissing, etc.?<BR>--Do you smoke, drink, use drugs?<BR>--Do you excersize regularly and eat well?<BR>--Is there any sexual trauma in your past?<BR>--Can you list everything you've tried, and for how long (T cream, for example..how long were you on it)?<BR>--Have you been tested for chronic conditions such as thyroid and diabetes, which can present some of the symptoms you mention?<BR>--Is vaginal penetration uncomfortable or painful?<BR>--Does your clitoris enlarge when you are aroused (assuming you get aroused, ofcourse)?<BR>--As another poster asked, what were your actual test results vs. lab standards?<BR>--Did you doctor give you an actual diagnosis, and a planned course of treatment?<BR>--Do you ever have sexual dreams or daytime fantasies? Have you ever had either of these?<BR>--Do you have children?<P>This is a start. I know it sounds like a lot--sorry if it's a bit overwhelming. There are so many things that can affect libido that it's often easiest to get a broad overview and narrow down from there.

wow! Thank you for all your questions! I love it! A place where people are really interested in what I have!!<BR>I will answer everything.....I am a bit buzy at the moment, but I will come back!<BR>Thanks you so much! <p>[This message has been edited by lovetotalk (edited 30 October 2003).]

Hi there! I am back. No these questions were not overwhelming at all. I am glad you asked. <BR> I just got my results the other day and they are shocking. People be concerned...very concerned...but dont let this get you down. <P>* Testosterone, Serum (total) 800ng/dL<P>*Percent Free Testerone 9by Dialysis) 4.4%<P>*Free Testerone, serum 352 pg/mL<P>*Sex Hormone Binding Globulin 0.3 ug/dL<BR>(SHBG), Serum<P>*Growth Hormone (ICMA) 0.06<BR>IGF -192<P>My testesterone levels are at a mans level right now and I am STILL not feeling anything. If you have got anything you can tell me I would appreciate it!<BR>I know the tesimin has increased my levels but this is schocking that I am still suffering from NO libido? What the heck is going on with me? My levels are so high and NOTHING?<BR> i am going to answer your question now..........<BR>My general health is perfect. Sex was addressed in my family and there was no abuse. Yes I masterbate. I orgasm alone, and it is diffucult for me to come to orgasm. When my lover iniates sex it is very hard to get turned on. I never can get into it. I don not smoke, I do not use drugs, or drink, and I live a healty life. No I do not like kissing! I actualy hate it. I cant stand to kiss and of course he always asked me way I do not let him kiss me. I just tell him its because of gems. lol!<BR>Yes I eat well and I exercise about 3 times a week. There is no trama in my past at all. I have never had any chronic condiions and I have been tested numerous times. <BR>Vaginal penetration does not hurt me. I am just never interested in it and I do not like being touched..reason being because I do not get turned on. --"Does your clitoris enlarge when you are aroused (assuming you get aroused, ofcourse)? "That is a great question Dona because it is quite interesting that it does. Altho I dont get turned on my clitoris does get pretty big. When I masterbats it get big and swells. You said in the question assuming I get aroused...But I don't have to be aroused for it to become big? INTERESTING POINT YOU just made me think of. Possibly I am getting turned on but maby my brain wont let my body feel what it is reacting to? HummmI never thought of that. My doctor did do a full cat scan to see if she could see anything related to my sexual disfunction....but nothing came up in it. Everything was completey normal. <BR>So you can get a feeling of how much I have been working on this...I had a cat scan to rule out any possible cause. No I have no childern and yes my doctor gave me a planned treatment.<BR>Hay thanks for all your questions and if you have any thing else you want me to answer ask. I want to fix this so please let me know what you think.<BR>

I posted some thoughts elsewhere, but I should post here too...<P>I don't know what your starting T values were, but these are FAR too high. (If you hadn't stated you were using 5g of testim a day, I'd suspect you'd gotten a switched blood sample with a man - it's happened to several people I know. However, given what you've said, these numbers could be accurate.)<P><B>You should be calling your provider today and discussing changes in your dosing of Testim. If you are not able to reach your provider, I'd consider stopping Testim completely.</B><P>Changes in T levels can take a long time to take effect. The minimum time is probably 3 months, and it might take up to 18 months.<P>So, don't expect instant results - your provider should have already discussed these issues with you.<P>If your provider started you on a 5g a day dose, didn't discuss what to expect, and isn't/wasn't concerned about your T levels, I would switch providers. He/She isn't competent.<P>I’ll stop here, but I must emphasize that you need to do something about your T levels quickly. These T levels will almost certainly cause changes that are undesirable and irreversible. If your provider hasn’t supervised things carefully, I think you should never see this provider again. If you’ve modified your dosing schedule/amount yourself, please consult with your provider today.<P>Best wishes,<BR>Greg<P><P>------------------<BR>See the icons at the top of this post for my profile and more information.<BR>Also note, I am *not* a doctor, and this is not intended as medical advice - Please talk to your doctor about your concerns.

One thought, as a quickie (so to speak):<P>I believe one other poster's test results were mixed up with a man's, so her T level looked ridiculously high. If my understanding is correct, it is very difficult for a women to get that much testosterone in her system and not see some pretty obvious other signs (and, with creams, I understand it would take a great deal to push them that high). I hope Greg chimes in with this a bit--he's got a much greater understanding of the testing methods--but this might be a consideration.<P>I'll respond more a bit later, time is a bit short at the moment; but I wanted to mention this.

Why is it so bad to have too high levels of testosterone?<BR>What are these permint side effects you are taking about? <BR>Sorry about the mess up but I am on 1% Testim gel. Where did you get 5%?<BR>Did I say I take 5%? Sorry fot that confusion here.<P><BR>NO THERE IS NO MIX UP . These are my levels. This is not impossible.<P>[This message has been edited by lovetotalk (edited 03 December 2003).]<p>[This message has been edited by lovetotalk (edited 03 December 2003).]

<BR>What kind of women does not know the name of her doctor Greg? That remark made me upset.<BR>IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP THEN TELL ME WHY I AM NOT FEELING ANYTHING FROM ALL THE TESTOSTERONE I AM TAKING? THAT IS THE REAL QUESTION HERE. NOT THE DOCTOR ....I WANT TO KNOW WHY I AM NOT FEELING SOME SORT OF SEXUAL RESPONCE? <BR>You have to understand that certin doctors look at levels in other ways. Especially if this is there speciality. I really dont want other people on here coming up with a lexure for me. That is not what I want. <BR>What I do want are people that have gone throught this and that can help me. I have been dealing with this for a longtime and I just want a solution ok. Please no rude remarks towards me or my doctors ok. <BR>Thanks.<P>[This message has been edited by lovetotalk (edited 03 December 2003).]<P>[This message has been edited by lovetotalk (edited 03 December 2003).]<BR><p>[Note: This message has been edited by NEWSHE Moderator]

To: NEWSHE Moderator<BR>I am a patient at U.C.L.A if you have any<BR>problem with me menchioning that please edited or delete at your discretion.<BR>Sorry if I have disturbed any thing here.<P><BR><p>[Note: This message has been edited by NEWSHE Moderator]

Don't mind Greg, he's abrasive but he means well. Do a search through some of the posts here--women with extremely high T from using HRT such as yourself have reported here loss of sensation in the clitoris, among other things. Greg's not a doctor but he is pretty familiar with the subject, both from research and because his wife is on it.<P>As for your question, free testosterone alone isn't everything. I personally believe that brain chemistry and genital circulation also have a lot to do with it. Also, of course, there may be psychological issues involved. Your body may be functioning just fine, as you mentioned in your comment to dona, but something mental may be blocking your enjoyment. I usually am on the side of medical treatment for FSD, but the fact that you don't enjoy kissing is rather unusual. Do you enjoy being kissed and held by your lover when it's a completely non-sexual context?<P>Also, if it is difficult to orgasm, have you tried using a good vibrator by yourself?<p>[This message has been edited by zaneblue (edited 03 December 2003).]

I posted a letter on this site a month or so ago, but I have not visited since then. I have a similiar problem as you. I am young and fairly healthy, but I have no libido. I can related to your feelings of ....nothing. I once had a sex drive, I did feel sexy, i felt very sexy, i was confident. Not any more. I don't like being touched all that much, either. Just the other night my boyfriend touched my breasts I immediately brushed his hand away. That makes a person feel terrible, not to mention how guilty I felt. How does your boyfriend handle it? Sorry to ask personal questions...Do you have sex often? My boyfriend and I have sex probably once every three weeks. That is so sad, and I don't want to, that's worse.<P>I am writing you for two reasons, One, I understand your frustration, and yes, there are a lot of us out there with a similiar problem. Second, what type of doctor did you go to for this problem? I have had all kinds of blood work done, but not for that reason. Maybe I should be put on medication.<P>I hope you find some answers.

zaneblue..thank you for your undersatnding words.<BR>About the T. levels.. you said women reported loss of sensation in the clitoris! O my gosh! That is not very good! I can't believe that! I am now a bit worried. I hope my sensation will not disapar.( that is the little that I have)<BR>The thing is when a person feels like I do they just want anything to fix the problem. Its just so frustrating! I also think that brain chemistry has a lot to do with this aswell. As for the psychological issues involved I see a theripest every week. He cant help me. What is going on here is the fact that I have NO sexual responce. He gives me different thing to do and suggests how I can get aroused...but he cant give me desire. He cant wave a wand and say "feel horney" I know it sounds silly but its true. We speak of other issues about my life...but nothing in my life is harming to me or threatening. Yes I will say it is great to talk and get this off my chest with a theripest. I am doing all I can do for my self at the moment. You said something could be blocking my enjoyment...I am going to talk to my theripest about that. Thank you. We have talked about all different things that could possibly be blocking my enjoyment like stress, worry, anxiety...so I am not sure? I will diffenatly talk this over once again. I have to respond to your question you asked me about kissing. The answer is No. I do not like kissing. Yes it is rather unusual. I do not enjoy being kissed or even held when it is a completly non-sexual content. I dont like it..plan and simple. I must say that my lover is so nice. He is just the nicest person. He loves to cuttle and caress me. We are both in love. I dont think the two of us could ever see eachother apart. We acre for one another. I love him but when it comes to kissing I cant stand it. I make excusses not to kiss andtell him things. After awhile he does start to wonder, but like I said before I tell him its germs or I will just rush sex to get the kissing part over. That is how much I cant stand it. YesI have many vibrators, that was my first journey that I took when I relixed I had a FDS. I thought thoes would be the answer. NO LUCK. I hope many others can relate when I say a vibrator is not the key answer when you dont want to be touched.<BR>flybaby747 Great to talk to you. I am ever so happy I am not alone. To answer your question about my boyfriend I will tell you. He knows nothing of this. I do nopt plan to tell him and I stand strong beside my decision. I have talked to my theripest about this and he too agrees that there is no need to tell him. It will only lower his self confidence and make him think there is something wong with him. This is not his fault or his doing. This is my personal problem and he will not understand. I know that one day I will hopefully get this fixed so from then on I will just play it out like nothing was ever wrong. I know it sounds bad but trust me...he can not help me. He would only feel hurt by this. I will say that he spends hours down yander pleasing me. (or should I say thinking that I am enjoying his tounge down there.) I do enjoy that time we have. I love him. Like I was saying he does his job great but its me that isnt there with him feeling these pleasures. I WOULD LOVE TO LET ME TELL YOU! yes I have sex often. Have you tried anyy of the sugesstion on the boards here? Like masterbating , maby watching a porno, taking it slowly? What have you tried so far to get this process going for you. You have to do something because you know you deserve this right! You are a women and it is your right t feel pleasure and you should be! Orgasms are great to have and you really should start now to do something about this. Do this for your self. Tell me what you have dome so far ok flybaby747. tell me what your boyfriend thinks of this and have you told him? You last question was about my doctor. I first started noticing I was lacking libido when I was young. I told my mother and she thught it was strange because hers was great at 18 and now ...it is still rockin'! )lol <BR>So I went to an endrocronoligist (sorry for my ever so terrible spelling) It was one blood test after another and another till she found my testesterone was too high and tried to lower it. Then I went back to my Gyno. who told me many women experience this problem and reffered me to Dr.Bermen. From there it goes on and on...but my last doctor I went to was Dr.Bermen at U.C.L.A. Now that I am envolved with them my life has changed. I have gone through telling my self this was never going to be possible to now looking at my future with a sex drive in mind! I am proud to say that I know I will get help with these doctors. The interesting thing was that all the doctors that I went to told me that my testosterone was fine. Thsi is wher its gets interesting ...when I went to U.C.L.A. the Dr. told me my levles were low for a women. When I was told that I was relived and so ...so ...so glad to know like I said before that I would have hope. I think 2 and a half years ago hen I first walked into that office I given a gift of hope. It felt good to know I was not crazy! It really felt good to know that all these doctors that could not tell me what the heck was wrong with me were wrong themselves. That is why I say that doctors look that testosterone levels different than others. What one level seems norma to one doc. might be too high or too low to another. I feel so good sitting here typing this because I just let out alot of stuff! WOW! <BR>I dont know maby you should be on some medicine flybaby747? But you have to piece your thoughts out very carefully. Conceder why you feel like this. My advice would to diffenetly go to a doctor. Do what you have to do and take your journey. You have to fix your problem and if you ever need to talk come on here and I will talk with you. Take care...if you have anthing else you want to ask me fel free. <BR>

Well if you are already seeing a therapist, I'll go back to the medical side of things.<P>Have you been checked for PCOS with an ultrasound (or the CAT scan). Did they specifically look for cysts? Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome can have very high total T levels but yet no increase in desire because their hormones are all wonky. But the treatment for that isn't added T, so I doubt that's what you have.<P>Has anyone looked at your oxytocin levels (also known as the "cuddle hormone")?

lovetotalk,<BR>Are there deleted posts in this thread? At any rate, may I ask why you're seeing a therapist? May I ask how you react to stress? Do you feel you have at all a compulsive type of personality?