Dealing with Libido...

[BeemoX]

So I'm real real real uncomfortable with my libido. I want it gone. At least suppressed until I can start hormone transition, be a little more comfortable with my body, my chemistry. Most of the times I have a sexual impulse it feels disgusting, like an overbearing, alien presence getting all up in my business. Sometimes it feels exciting, but only very, very rarely. I'm questioning if I fall somewhere on the asexual spectrum. Does anyone relate to this? Is the part of genital dysphoria?And does anyone have any solutions to it? I've been looking into libido reducing herbs and/or foods. 

[Skeptoid]

I thought that being asexual meant you simply don't get the impulse in the first place? Sounds like that isn't the nature of your problem. You get them and feel it's wrong.

If you want to reduce your libido the bad news is that herbs and food aren't very likely to do it for you. Anti-androgens might but even that is up in the air. I'm three months into HRT and I still have a libido though it isn't quite as annoyingly insistent as before.

[Valleyrie]

You could start hormone blockers if that's an option for you. I've been on them for about a month now and my libido has gone from very high to almost non-existent. You can try drinking spearmint tea everyday but it may have very little if no effect at all.

[MelissaAnn]

The best way to lower your libido is to get on blockers. I have been on Spyro for just over a month. I went from having spontaneous erections and a large libido to not having any erections and no libido. It's actually quite liberating. I wish you nothing but the best of luck in your journey and may the Angels look upon you and help guide you on your path.

Hugs

Melissa Ann

[sam79]

I'm not sure what advice to offer. I was always very uncomfortable with any amount of sexual drive pre transition, and will be for a little longer yet. To the point where I chose to try and ignore it to death for consecutive years. It didn't work, and didn't go away . I also tried various herbal and non-herbal foods that can suppress testosterone to no avail.

The only thing which has put a lid on it has been HRT in the long term, and I'm very thankful for that. Needless to say, I never encouraged it in any regard.

Sorry, I feel your frustration.

[BeemoX]

So if Blockers would reduce/remove it, would Estrogen bring it back? Sorry I'm not super familiar with how hormones work.

[MelissaAnn]

So if Blockers would reduce/remove it, would Estrogen bring it back? Sorry I'm not super familiar with how hormones work

No not at all.... First off in most cases the need for blockers is to reduce the t in your body to a female level and the estrogen to bring your levels up into the female range. so you would need to stay on both up in tell you have GCS. After that the blockers would be dropped. Unless you have the the poison factories removed then the blockers would be stopped also.

[sam79]

It really is different for everyone...

Blockers aim to simply suppress testosterone, the natural male sex hormone. With it suppressed, there should be a decrease in libido among other mental and more male characteristics. They come in various forms and have various levels of effectiveness. From experience, I needed estrogen in addition to a potent anti-androgen to fully suppress my testosterone levels. Either or was not sufficient by itself.

In terms of estrogen, some women respond to it in the same way you may for testosterone. And some may not respond at all. It's different for everyone and until you try it, there's no way of knowing. Although from reading, I think the majority of transwomen find a more female kind of sex drive, which is primarily mental and much more subtle.

[BeemoX]

It really is different for everyone...

Blockers aim to simply suppress testosterone, the natural male sex hormone. With it suppressed, there should be a decrease in libido among other mental and more male characteristics. They come in various forms and have various levels of effectiveness. From experience, I needed estrogen in addition to a potent anti-androgen to fully suppress my testosterone levels. Either or was not sufficient by itself.

In terms of estrogen, some women respond to it in the same way you may for testosterone. And some may not respond at all. It's different for everyone and until you try it, there's no way of knowing. Although from reading, I think the majority of transwomen find a more female kind of sex drive, which is primarily mental and much more subtle.

So, potentially I could stay on blockers and E if that's what works for me? Or removal of testicles and E?

[sam79]

So, potentially I could stay on blockers and E if that's what works for me? Or removal of testicles and E?

The best person to give you advice in this regard would be an endocrinologist. They're a must in transition in any case.

We're all different and unique, and each need a different treatment plan ( whatever that entails ).

I would suggest gathering some questions together, and having a session with an endocrinologist if you're looking at a medical transition. It really is a strange world when it comes to hormones.

[Ms Grace]

The anti depressant my doctor put me on six months prior to me staring HRT dropped my libido like a rock which from my point if view was awesome. It was a known side effect if that particular drug but I didn't mind one bit.

[Skeptoid]

Also, if you do plan to go on androgen blockers don't plan on it long term without also taking estrogen. It's seriously important to have at least one of the two main sex hormones working in your body. They regulate things like bone growth, etc. If you just take an androgen blocker and no estrogen you're far more likely to end up with problems like osteoporosis in the long term. Emphasis on the LONG TERM. It's probably okay for a few months but that's the part you'd ask a doctor about.

[Rina]

I can recognize myself exactly in what you describe - I felt like that for more than fifteen years, even while I completely repressed my gender dysphoria. For me, nothing worked; I tried everything from religious activities (helped me in many ways but didn't do much to my libido), to intensive exercise (just made it worse), to just "getting it over with" (hated it, but at least it gave temporary relief). At the end of the day, my libido was just as strong, and made me feel just as bad as it ever did.

I've now been on Spiro for three weeks, and while my libido hasn't really decreased, I'm already feeling better about it. It is slowly changing in nature, and less "overbearing". I'm slowly getting to a point where I don't really want it gone anymore. I do of course hope it keeps changing in the same direction, as I'm far from "there" yet.

To your questions about effects of anti-androgens and estrogen, I think the answer depends on your physiology, and my doctor refused to make any predictions with me, as some experience a drop of libido, others a change, others no effect at all. As with everything else related to effects of HRT, your mileage may vary.

I'd also recommend staying away from herbals. If they have any effect at all, their mechanism is often not known, and can be just as risky as, or riskier than, prescription drugs.

[amber roskamp]

I am in the same boat as you. That I do not want my sex drive.... its so gross I see someone I think is attractive and my mind goes to sex ..... its really uncomfortable I wish that I didnt have it or that it would be reduced. My sex drive is so high. I hate it.

That is the one if the non-physical effects I want I am most looking forward to.

[TSJasmine]

I think the estrogen should lower your libido but for some it doesn't. You can always go on Spiro & a higher dose of E & your libido should be pretty low although everyone is different. You might actually just be the type of girl who has a high libido xD You never know! Personally, my libido is pretty low. I mean, it's been a few months & I'm feeling frisky but when I had male hormones I was WAY hornier hahaha

[Tori]

My sex drive has dropped and yet, I am a far more sexual person now. It is entirely different. I control it now, it does not control me.

[LilDevilOfPrada]

I have been on over 7 different drugs for hrt seeming my endo hasn't dealt with someone like me before, So here is my advice!

Hormone blocker do the job! Trust me once your T is not even measurable anymore :O you find it hard to feel aroused however you can still get aroused.
Estrogen will not bring back your libido however progesterone will bring it back!

So my advice if this is possible begin the process of therapy which is the door way to legal and safe hormones.
However if you are not mtf for instance then seek advice from your local gp for a controlled dosage of blockers to simply lower your libido.

[Lostkitten]

Or bare with it till you are on HRT. We all want something and just because there is something out there does not mean you have to grab that straight away because it is an easier way? Even when on anything it might does not change a thing.

It sounds recognizable tho. It feels like a forever chastity because you get excited, but can't/don't want to do anything with it. Personally stuff but.. you can also.. masturbate o.o? I don't like it all that much really but it keeps away that insanely interrupting excitement on the most random moments > _ <.