Posted by JLx on July 31, 2005, at 12:01:52
In reply to Re: libido?dhea? » JLx, posted by buddhi on July 30, 2005, at 13:16:41
> > > Does anyone know of a successful supplement for libido? I don't know if it is my depression, or an after affect from the SSRI's, but I have so little libido. I am working on my depression with taurine and niacinamide, omega-3's, and l-glutamate for anxiety too, but when I was buying the taurine and niacinamide, I saw something for women which used something such as macca - or something like that. I am feeling better depression wise, but my libido has not been the same for a long time and if there is a natural way to do something about it, I would love any suggestions. Thanks a lot, Maggie
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> > If you're over 40, you can try DHEA. It works that way for me, probably because of the testosterone it can increase.
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> > I've tried maca but don't recall a libido boost. It's pretty powerful though in terms of estrogen (at least for me) as I had a breast cyst that increased with it.
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> > JL
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> JL wondering what brand of dhea and how much a day you used and how long before you noticed libdo enhancement??? Would love to get my libid up !!! thanks buddhi youcan write back on board or email amy@pause.comI use whatever brand my local health food store stocks. I buy the 25 or 50 mg tablets and then cut or break them in pieces, so DHEA is one of the cheapest things I take.
How much to take depends on what you read and how you feel. Some say only a small amount, such as 5-10 mg/day is advisable, up to 25 mg a day (for women). Some of the studies done on DHEA for middle aged depression have been far higher than that, but as they were clinical trials, were also for a limited time. One thing to consider is that by boosting estrogen, if you're already at risk for breast cancer or have it, growth of it will be accelerated. Otherwise, symptoms are probably the best way to guage if you are taking too much. It gives me acne, and some women apparently have other male hormone overload characteristics such as facial hair. These are reversible though.
A good general article that reviews all the negative arguments is here: http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2004/mar2004_cover_dhea_01.htm
The libido effect for me is pretty immediate -- within a day. I don't remember if it was always like that or not.
I used to take 25 mg/day but after I started taking magnesium, I take a lot less. Usually about 5-12 mg/day or every other day. Sometimes I quit taking it for a while.
It's something you can get tested as that article discusses, if you have the bucks, doctor and inclination. I think that's probably the way to go. Otherwise just experiment. I'd say, start at 25 or even 50 mg for a few weeks and then drop it down if you get acne or other symptoms, or stick with it or increase it if you notice no effect at all.
Let us know how it goes. :)
JL
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URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20050713/msgs/535975.html