Sex Drive

[RedheadWhovian]

I started HRT about 10 days ago, and one thing I am noticing quickly, especially now, is that my sex drive has decreased dramatically. I know this is of course a side effect, but does it bounce back at any point? I'm finding that he lower sex drive is also making me less excited about things, and just more tired. I don't even feel as excited about the transition, cause I have no energy for much, and it really bothers me. It's confusing me. I'm a little scared.

[Cindy]

The first 2-3 months on HRT is a time of emotional change and can be quite scary. Just go with the ride for awhile, things do settle down and of course talk to your endo and therapist if you feel 'odd'.

Talk here as well of course!

[Madison (kiara jamie)]

i agree with cindy, the first couple of months are a time period that you will go through a significant amount of emotional changes, your sex drive will come back but it will be very different, it won't be so persistent but it ramps up very quickly when activated and it will peak very high,

also know that your on hrt your hormones are normalizing and your body is finally feeling better now that the hormones are bringing you to a state of chemical balance, it will feel like you don't need them but as soon as you stop you will have the old feelings come back again,

the one thing that you need to look out for is depression, i struggled with that myself and as soon as i changed my anti androgen the depression went away, some meds just don't work well with some people, you need to give that input to your endo because they will be able to try another medication if your having problems

best of luck

[Tessa James]

It seems the change in your libido is expected and common and for some of us rather welcome.  I experienced significant differences in arousal patterns, stimulation and response.  I also felt sort of flat for a week or so when I first started HRT but that was followed by months of euphoria and well worth it.  I love the changes every day.

Watch your diet and exercise as you're likely to need that energy.  Transition is work and I'm guessing you are going to rebound nicely.

[RedheadWhovian]

The first 2-3 months on HRT is a time of emotional change and can be quite scary. Just go with the ride for awhile, things do settle down and of course talk to your endo and therapist if you feel 'odd'.

Talk here as well of course!

Okay! Thank you for the reassurance.

i agree with cindy, the first couple of months are a time period that you will go through a significant amount of emotional changes, your sex drive will come back but it will be very different, it won't be so persistent but it ramps up very quickly when activated and it will peak very high,

also know that your on hrt your hormones are normalizing and your body is finally feeling better now that the hormones are bringing you to a state of chemical balance, it will feel like you don't need them but as soon as you stop you will have the old feelings come back again,

the one thing that you need to look out for is depression, i struggled with that myself and as soon as i changed my anti androgen the depression went away, some meds just don't work well with some people, you need to give that input to your endo because they will be able to try another medication if your having problems

best of luck

Okay, thank you so much! I don't think I necessarily feel more depressed. I simply have less energy, and drive. It makes me much less excited for anything. I can't wait till my emotions change the way you say they do. It sounds so much more like how I should have them. I'm sorry you struggled with the depression, but I'm glad it went away!

It seems the change in your libido is expected and common and for some of us rather welcome.  I experienced significant differences in arousal patterns, stimulation and response.  I also felt sort of flat for a week or so when I first started HRT but that was followed by months of euphoria and well worth it.  I love the changes every day.

Watch your diet and exercise as you're likely to need that energy.  Transition is work and I'm guessing you are going to rebound nicely.

I think in some ways I do welcome it. I hate erections, and would rather my sexual drive be far more based on touch, and emotion, rather than simply seeing something stimulating. And thank you for the advice! One thing that is very possible is that my zoloft (for depression and OCD) is simply adding to the already decreased libido, because zoloft can do that. How would you recommend I go about getting that extra energy, if you don't mind giving tips. And sorry, I'm not entirely sure what you mean by rebound.

[RobynD]

Mine went to close to zero at first also. It did come back with estrogen but it returned in a different more feminine form, to be overly general. It is an odd feeling when you first lose that maleish sex drive though, i totally get it.

[RedheadWhovian]

Mine went to close to zero at first also. It did come back with estrogen but it returned in a different more feminine form, to be overly general. It is an odd feeling when you first lose that maleish sex drive though, i totally get it.

Thank you! I'm curious, in what way did it come back in a feminine form?

[RobynD]

I could probably respond with TMI for this part of the forum, but some highlights include a much slower build up of arousal, more overall sensation ( i can literally feel things from the top of head to my toes now), the breasts suddenly became a much major source of arousal, orgasm changed to longer, more intense, and more overall body than centered down there.

I seem to be quite a bit less visually stimulated now, more emotional and a need for connection/romance. Some of this is no doubt my mind re-ordering things, but i am convinced a lot of it came with HRT.

[RedheadWhovian]

I could probably respond with TMI for this part of the forum, but some highlights include a much slower build up of arousal, more overall sensation ( i can literally feel things from the top of head to my toes now), the breasts suddenly became a much major source of arousal, orgasm changed to longer, more intense, and more overall body than centered down there.

I seem to be quite a bit less visually stimulated now, more emotional and a need for connection/romance. Some of this is no doubt my mind re-ordering things, but i am convinced a lot of it came with HRT.

That all sounds absolutely lovely. I've done my research, but I had no idea HRT can cause that much of a change in your sexual stimulation! Also, I love your Rinoa icon. ^_^

[Tessa James]

I think in some ways I do welcome it. I hate erections, and would rather my sexual drive be far more based on touch, and emotion, rather than simply seeing something stimulating. And thank you for the advice! One thing that is very possible is that my zoloft (for depression and OCD) is simply adding to the already decreased libido, because zoloft can do that. How would you recommend I go about getting that extra energy, if you don't mind giving tips. And sorry, I'm not entirely sure what you mean by rebound.

I think Robyn did a great job describing some of the changes I too have experienced.  My "drive" was really bothersome before transition and now my interest is more stereotypically what I assumed other women felt like.  By rebound I should clarify that after starting transition I soon became much more comfortable with my female self and how I react to stimulus.   Yes, that slower arousal and more completely integrated overall body response.   I had developed some coping patterns with intimacy before transition that are now just gone and not needed.  I cried and was embarrassed way too often.  I love now feeling so free and have much less anxiety about being a lover with nothing to hide and plenty to offer another.

Energy is a requirement for making things happen and getting things done.  It takes emotional energy to work through self discovery, integration, coming out and self acceptance.  There are a hundred and one fun little chores for transitioning depending on your path and goals.  I could suggest having a great low fat diet, plenty of exercise, a full nights sleep, reduce or eliminate drug and alcohol use etc but, my close friends would laugh and suggest hypocrisy.  So sure, take my advice, I am not using it right now...:-)

[Daisy Jane]

This is something I've been wondering about too. I heard the sex drive dies. I'm glad to hear it rebounds. I don't want my super amped up male sex drive, but I still want to want sex.

[Tessa James]

This is something I've been wondering about too. I heard the sex drive dies. I'm glad to hear it rebounds. I don't want my super amped up male sex drive, but I still want to want sex.

Oh yes!  Why would we deliberately want to deprive ourselves of such wonderful and many splendored pleasures?   Now securely in transition, I find greater pleasure in the simple knowledge I am a trans woman and the world mostly sees me that way.  It is so nice not to have those awful expectations of being and performing like a typical man in the bedroom.  I just look down, hug my girls, sigh and smile.  I feel right about where I am and much better about the kind of signals I send out.  Love and intimacy can be different for everyone including those who are asexual, but I still want to wrap my arms around a lover every day.

[KayXo]

I barely have testosterone but my estrogen is high and progesterone low to medium...libido is definitely there! Orgasms, ejaculate, all of it. Even dry orgasms and wet dreams. Cyproterone acetate can adversely affect sex drive as it has other effects in the body (i.e. dopamine) or perhaps inhibit testosterone too strongly since it also blocks it. Too little estrogen (or lack of progesterone) can also be the culprit. There's also the mental aspect to it, not to be ignored. You and your doctor need to reassess if this persists.