Question 56 - No Libido, Surgical Menopause and Unresponsive Physician
(Posted August 7, 2000)

Dr N,

I have been telling my MD for years that I have no libido. My husband is a wonderful man and we have a very good relationship in every other aspect. We love each other very much, have a lot of fun together and enjoy the same things in life. We have 2 great children, a lot of friends , etc. etc. Once I am involved in the act itself I always have an orgasm but I never get horny or want to initiate it. Of course all this got even less interesting after my total hysterectomy in January. I am on an estrogen patch and no side effects or hot flashes but no one ever mentioned taking testosterone. The reason for the TAH was abnormal heavy bleeding, repeated fibroid growth, uterine polyps, etc. I had a great interest in sex before my first pregnancy which was easy. Second pregnancy required fertility drugs, took years, and 2 miscarriages. Obvious to me is that something changed in my hormonal makeup after the first pregnancy and resulting emergency c-section. I've really never been the same since- gained weight and never able to take it off, decreased sex drive, etc. How difficult is it to take testosterone and what are the side effects? I would love to know more. Thanks!

Hi,

The first thing that comes to mind as I read your email is that maybe you need to be telling a different doctor about this problem. The alternative will be to educate your present doctor about the physiologic basis of your diminished libido and sexual response and provide him/her with the therapeutic options to remedy the situation. All this presumes that he/she would be responsive, which is possible, but not likely.

Based on your history, I would be almost certain that if you were to obtain the appropriate HRT regimen for you that you would regain your previous libido and sexual response.

Although you may have already, I would read all the sections of the web site under the Sex, Hysterectomy and HRT headings, as they will provide additional insight.

If you would like, you can let me know in what area you live and if I know anyone who may have these skills, I will let you know.

Dr N