@jordanmcr posted a new topic, subject "New User. Libido Problems". It read:

   Hey, I'm a new user here and this is my first post so forgive me if sound like a newbie.
    
    I have been experiencing libido problems for nearly two years ( No morning wood, infrequent urge/disire to have sex, Problems keeping an erection and premature ejaculation when I do get one, reduced semen volume and weak ejaculations. Previously never experienced anything like this, I always woke with strong erections. Never had an issue lasting in the bedroom department and never had any problems getting a wood!
    
    Around the same time of the onset of symptoms I started to feel a sense of detachment/depersonalization. Something I am still receiving counseling for.
    
    I'm a 29 year old male from the UK
    
    210 lbs / 15 Stones  
    6ft 2"  
    Waist - 32"  
    Facial Hair - I have a beard but I have noticed that my pubic hair growth has slowed/ doesn't grow as thick as before, Especially under arm hair.  
    Bald Head
    
    I eat very well - Plenty of healthy/saturated fats, protein, veg, fibre etc. I don't any eat processed foods, sugars, tinned/bottled food etc. I train 4-5 times a week (weights/boxing/football). No known underlying physiological health issues other than slightly elevated Blood Pressure.
    
    I've had an MRI which because I was getting dizziness, memory problems and still have a feeling of severe/chronic detachment/depersonalization. it came back Normal no action
    
    I've seen a urologist who said my bloods were normal and didn't recommend any action. The urologist performed cyctoscopy which showed no blockages and a normal prostate.
    
    I have had an ultrasound on my testes in 2015 because my right testicle felt larger and harder. I also had an enlarged epididymis but the ultrasound came back normal.
    
    I've had my blood work done on the NHS recently…
    
    Total Serum Testosterone - 28.9 nmol/L - (8.7 - 29 nmol/L)  
    Serum FSH - 3.5 u/L - (1-10 u/l)  
    Serum LH - 2.6 u/L - (1-9 u/l)  
    Serum Oestradiol - 93 pmol/L - (40-161 pmol/L)  
    Serum Prolactin - 203 mu/L - (50-425 mu/L)  
    Serum TSH - 1.23 mu/L - (0.40 - 5.00)
    
    I know I probably need more tests (Free test, Cortisol etc) as this is basic but the NHS are not great for blood work but my GP said it was normal.
    
    I have previously suffered with Anxiety/Depression and I am currently taking Mirtazapine (Remeron). I am on the lowest possible dose (7.5mg) with a view to stop soon. No other prescription meds.
    
    Never taken any form of AI/Steroid in my life, although I did take 19 Anabol Testo shortly before the issues started.
    
    I've tried taking some supps to help such as - Nettle Root, Maca, Vit D3 (5000 IU), Zinc Picolinate, Magnesium Citrate, ZMA. - None have helped me.
    
    I've been back in the gym for about 3 months and even though I do feel like I am getting stronger, I feel like I should be putting on more muscle mass as my diet, sleep pattern and knowledge of lifting is on point. I also feel fatigued quite often, with a distinct lack of motivation. I find it hard to get to the gym some days and have to give myself a real kick up the ass to get there.
    
    Sorry to rant but i'm at a loose end and any help/advice from you guys would really be appreciated!!
    
    Thank you
    
    Jordan

To which @KSman replied

    Please follow these links in 2nd post of 1st forum topic:
    
      * advice for new guys **– provide more info**
      * things that damage your hormones
    
    
    
    Do not overlook thyroid and iodine issues.  
    Do not overlook over-training issues.
    
    Please edit your post above and add lab ranges.
    
    Explain why MRI was done. Prompted by lab data??

To which @Hostile replied

    Have you watched a lot of porn over the course of your life?

After which, @The_Myth added

    Again with the bunk porn theory, go watch some porn and stop trotting out this bogus bullshit.

To which @Hostile replied

    The reason I bring this up is I believe that many younger men are at times suffering from a porn addiction which is where their ED, brain fog and lack of motivation are truly stemming from. Porn addiction has a comparable effect on our brain as drug addiction.
    
    I suggest that you keep an open mind and perhaps do a little reading in the future before you post.
    
    Covenant Eyes – 3 Feb 14
    
    ### Brain Chemicals and Porn: How Porn Affects Your Brain
    
    What does porn do to your brain? Does watching porn have negative effects on your mind? Let's look at the brain chemicals of porn use.
    
    Est. reading time: 11 minutes
    
    the Guardian – 26 Sep 13
    
    ### Brain scans of porn addicts: what's wrong with this picture? | Norman Doidge
    
    Norman Doidge: Scan images show that watching online 'adult' sites can alter our grey matter, which may lead to a change in sexual tastes

Then @jordanmcr said

    Thank you for the response, I have updated the post. I have added lab ranges and little more detail… Also an explanation of why the MRI was done. it didn't correlate with my libido problems at the time, it was done because a feeling of detachment/depersonalization with memory issues, brain fog, headaches etc

To which @jordanmcr replied

    I tried no fap for about 2 months and didn't really notice a huge improvement. Maybe a little more desire but it did not help with morning erections. I have watched a lot of porn in my teens/early 20's. probably every day to be honest. I have read about the whole “Your Brain on Porn” thing but i'm not convinced it is causing my problems. Thank you for the input though

So @Hostile replied

    The anecdotal evidence is suggesting that young adults require much longer than older men which is counter intuitive. Older men were just exposed within the last decade to high speed internet porn. Young men your age have always had access to it and GREW UP with it. Older men seem to recover from their porn addiction induced ED in 1-3 months. Young men in your situation seem to require 3-6 months unfortunately because your brain has formed stronger connections due to increased neural plasticity via youth.
    
    Watch this please:

After which, @jordanmcr added

    Do you think it might be worth looking into using a lugols iodine along with a selenium supplement?
    
    I've read a little bit about Iodine but i'm worried it could be harmful?
    
    Thanks.

To which @The_Myth replied

    And you should also do a little reading and think critically by examining the rhetorical triangle.
    
    Psychology Today
    
    ### An Erectile Dysfunction Myth
    
    Pornography is not the problem.
    
    Consider the source before parroting the words.

So @Hostile replied

    There are many other sources available. Those were the first two that popped up with a quick google search while I was simply trying to elaborate that porn addiction has ramifications with respect to our brains, specifically to dopamine sensitivity which is directly correlated to motivation, morning erections, clarity of thought etc. If you're willing, watch that video I posted.
    
    I respect you Myth. I've seen your posts in this section of the forum and respect your intelligence as well, but I truly believe you're incorrect on your opinion of this. I also believe that many young adults issues do indeed stem from porn addiction, especially when their hormone profiles/blood work come back as “normal”.

@The_Myth replied

    It's not my opinion, it's just that I recognize there are more than two sides to a problem and blaming the victim in something as polemic as watching porn smacks of the Inquisition.
    
    I've read quite a bit on both sides and I'm sure there's some validity to the argument…for some people, but not for all, and that “how much porn do you watch” isn't necessarily the best place to start with ED problems.
    
    Peace

Then @Hostile said

    I think it's a quite logical place to start actually. Especially because it can be quickly dismissed if the answer is “never”. In the OP's case however, he indicated that he watches porn every day. I also never stated that I believe porn use created ED issues. I stated that I believe **_porn addiction_** does/can/may. I also asked that question because from the limited blood work he posted, his TT was in the high upper range.
    
    Polemic ← Great word by the way, but I never intend it as an attack. I'm only here to attempt to help people and my opinion on porn addiction is not religious based. I'm a “theistic agnostic” anyway.

@KSman replied

    Maybe the children will take their hijack someplace else.
    
    Gut bacterial can affect your neural transmitters.  
    Any digestive problems of any sort?  
    You could look into a high quality probiotic… unfortunately there are a lot of me-too products that are not very good.

To which @jordanmcr replied

    I do have issues with my gut. I have recently started taking L-glutamine, Colostrum, Enzymes as I think I could possibly have leaky gut or a candida. I very rarely cosume shop bought grains like wheat, oats, rice etc and my sugar intake is low, mainly from berries, fruits and raw unpasturised honey. I was thinking about looking into probiotics, could you recommend one. Bare in mind i'm in the UK.
    
    Thank you

So @The_Myth replied

    “The children” were discussing the OP's issue and that hardly counts as hijacking. But, I apologize for detracting from your performance.
    
    Please continue Your Eminence.

To which @Hostile replied

    amazon.com
    
    ### Amazon.com: Garden of Life Primal Defense Ultra Ultimate Probiotic Formula - 15...
    
    Buy Garden of Life Primal Defense Ultra Ultimate Probiotic Formula - 15 Billion CFU and 13 Strains of Probiotics Plus HSOs for Healthy Digestive Balance, Vegetarian and Gluten Free, 90 Capsules on Amazon.com ✓ FREE SHIPPING on qualified orders
    
    ****
    
    and
    
    amazon.com
    
    ### Amazon.com: Garden of Life Raw Probiotics for Men - Acidophilus and...
    
    Buy Garden of Life Raw Probiotics for Men - Acidophilus and Bifidobacteria Probiotic-Created Vitamins, Minerals, Enzymes and Prebiotics - Gluten and Soy-Free, Non-GMO - 90 Vegetarian Capsules on Amazon.com ✓ FREE SHIPPING on qualified orders
    
    ****
    
    ^Are good choices for probiotics. Make sure you're also getting prebiotic sources i.e. fruits and veggies, especially asparagus, burdock, chicory, dandelion root, Jerusalem artichoke, leeks and onions as well as fermented foods like:
    
    superfoodevolution.com
    
    ### What are Fermented Foods? Top 7 Ferments to Add to the Diet
    
    Fermented foods contain enzymes and probiotics for supporting a healthy gut microbiome as well as digestive functions. Includes kefir, sauerkraut and kombucha.
    
    Another good source for gut health is organic kefir which you should be able to find at health food stores. Also, consuming 2-3 tablespoons/day of organic apple cider vinegar can help with candida overgrowth in your gut.

Then @KSman said

    The_Myth:
    
    > “The children” were discussing the OP's issue and that hardly counts as hijacking. But, I apologize for detracting from your performance.
    > 
    > Please continue Your Eminence.
    
    Can you create a discussion of that topic that is stand alone and I will add a link to it with the other links? The we can point to that in threads where it might be useful.

So @KSman replied

    This might be good: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Advanced-Adults-Blend-Probiotics-Capsules/dp/B0013G8CVO/ref=sr_1_73?s=drugstore&ie=UTF8&qid=1457129902&sr=1-73&keywords=probiotics
    
    You are looking for a product with several different bacteria types. The problem is looking through so many different products. If they recommend refrigeration, they are a bit more serious about the effectiveness of their product.
    
    I use this product as a reference: renewlife.com/extra-care-probiotics/ultimate-flora-extra-care-probiotic-30-billion.html
    
    Probiotics seem very expensive there.

After which, @jordanmcr added

    Thank you, I will check them out and keep you updated. I already eat most of the foods you have listed. My knowledge of nutrition and foods are good. I think that's what is so annoying. My lifestyle is on point yet i'm still suffering…

After which, @jordanmcr added

    Hey @KSman. How do my bloods look based on the ones I have done. Is my prolactin high? and how about LH/FSH?

To which @Graemsay replied

    jordanmcr:
    
    > I have previously suffered with Anxiety/Depression and I am currently taking Mirtazapine (Remeron). I am on the lowest possible dose (7.5mg) with a view to stop soon. No other prescription meds.
    
    That's probably the source of your problem.
    
    Depression robs you of motivation, and can screw up your libido. Mirtazapine can have sexual side effects so it could be a contributory factor.
    
    It might be worth checking your SHBG levels or free testosterone. I doubt it'd be a problem, as your total is at at upper end of the range.
    
    Low free T can be a contributory factor in depression or antidepressant induced loss of libido. But you'd need a SHBG of over 100 nmol/L for it to be an issue, which is a very long way out of range!
    
    If you're training naturally, and you're lean (which your waist size suggests), then you might be pushing the upper limits of what muscle you can build. You're probably not going to see huge gains in the gym at this stage.

Then @jordanmcr said

    Everything I seem to be experiencing sounds like the “shut down” after people have taken anabolics but I have never done that in my life. One thing I have noticed recently too, is that my testicles have shrunken slightly. Is it possible that I could get shut down even without ever taking hormones. Would it be worth doing a pct type regime to see if that could help me or would that be more harmful than good? Thank you

To which @Juggs replied

    I'm not a doctor, but from what I've read over the years if it were me I would first come off the antidepressants or change to a different one and reassess to determine whether they are doing more harm than good. You should also get a full thyroid panel immediately, and probably free T level as well. Although your TSH and Total T look very good, they are not the entire story. But again, based on what I see I'd look to the depression and corresponding meds as a likely source of your issues. Best of luck.

Then @KSman said

    Your mid-range prolactin does not appear to be a concern.
    
    https://www.google.com/search?q=Mirtazapine+libido  
    Published side effects do not seem to refer to libido, but there is a lot of evidence on the web.

So @jordanmcr replied

    Hi @KSman I have now been off the mirtazapine for 3 months and I am not taking any other medications. I have not really noticed a difference or increase in my libido. I can get some stimulation from touch but other than that I don't really get the urge. I went to see an endo last week and he checked my bloods again but unfortunately on the NHS in the UK they only seem to test certain things.
    
    Results were similar to the last but one thing that seems to keep coming up is that my LH/FSH are classed as “Normal Range” but seem quite low. I also notice that my sperm volume has reduced greatly and my body hair growth seems slowed and a little thinner.
    
    Could lower LH/FSH cause libido problems?
    
    Serum Testosterone - 26.7 nmol/l (770ng/dl) Ref Range (8.7 - 29 nmol/L)  
    FSH - 2.9 U/L Ref Rg ( 1-10 u/l)  
    LH - 3.0 U/L Ref Rg ( 1-9 u/l)  
    Serum Prolactin - 235 mu/L. Ref rg ( 50 - 425 mu/L)  
    TSH - 1.34 mu/L - Ref Rg (0.40 - 5.00)
    
    Thank you.


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