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Return of libido

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User
Posted 31 May 2018 at 15:31

Hi all,

 

Below I have copied a query sent to the Specialist Nurses.  I have received a very informative reply but also the suggestion that I post here as well to see if anyone else has/has had a similar experience. My profile is up to date regards treatment and appointment.

Thanks

Not long after I started HT I began to notice the onset of expected side effects - weight gain, thickening of waistline, loss of muscle strength with aching, loss of libido and total erectile disfunction. Now nearly two years on I find my strength pretty much back to normal if not my stamina. I have lost weight and my waistline has reduced a little. This I can put down to in part the result of a lot of exercise. But I am unable to fathom what is behind a return of libido and the ability to achieve a full and reasonably sustainable erection. Whilst neither are the same as pre treatment I was under the impression that those losses would be permanent. I really just want to know if this is usual or is there a possibility that the hormone therapy is not as effective as it should be even though my PSA remains undetectable?

User
Posted 01 Jun 2018 at 02:52
Just bumping you Davy

Hope you can get helpful replies

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
User
Posted 01 Jun 2018 at 09:23
Thanks
User
Posted 02 Jun 2018 at 00:13
Are you still on hormones Davy?
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 02 Jun 2018 at 09:22
Yes Lyn, still on hormone treatment - lifelong
User
Posted 02 Jun 2018 at 09:49
Is your testosterone checked when you have your PSA test?
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 02 Jun 2018 at 10:10

As I said above I got a very informative reply from the Specialist Nurse. It’s a bit on the long side to repost here. It covers both biological and psychological reasons why this might be happening to me but one of the things suggested was to check with my consultant/GP for testosterone levels.

I have recently had a blood test as part of the STAMPEDE trials so those results should be available shortly.

I don’t mind being a freak of nature just as long as nothing is wrong. I imagine having a wife I feel the same about as I did 46 years ago helps a bit as well!

It was at the advice of the Specialist Nurse to ask here if anyone else has had a similar experience.



Edited by member 02 Jun 2018 at 10:58  | Reason: additional text

User
Posted 16 Jun 2018 at 13:32
Just an update: It seems my trials bloods weren’t checked for testosterone! I was a bit surprised by that. Anyway my GP took a sample yesterday so I should have results in a couple of days.

Both our Specialist Nurses on here and my GP think my reawaken sexual interest and ability are more likely psychological rather than biological but I’d rather check to be on the safe side.

Dave

User
Posted 20 Jun 2018 at 20:17

Testosterone results through today. I have a level of below 0.5. As Oncologists and regulatory authorities would normally refer to a castrate level of testosterone at 0.69 then it would appear that my “reawakening” is primarily psychological although the biological side is rather more complex than just down to testosterone. If nothing else I have learned a lot and my mind put at rest.

Dave

User
Posted 20 Jun 2018 at 22:00
Good news - enjoy the unexpected!
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

 
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