Libido

[Crimson617]

Hey guys,

I had a question that I feel a bit awkward asking. I had an IO and went through 3xBEP that ended in mid-May of this year. While I feel like my recovery has been going very well, I've noticed that my libido isn't what it used to be. The plumbing works and I can get it up, it's just that I'm not in the mood for sex as much as I used to be. I'm 23, so it's a bit concerning. Should my libido be back to normal by now? Thanks.

[Aegean]

Hey there,

Good to hear you are doing well.

The libido thing is a bit normal than one might think. The removal of one testicle will result in at least a 25% decrease in pre I/O levels as theoretically the remaining testicle can produce 1.5x what it used to to make up the slack.

All that being said, you are probably suffering from low testosterone. A complete hormone panel would pinpoint the exact issue. This can be done by your uro, but if you are exhibiting other problems like sleeping disorder, moodiness, irritability, depression or other symptoms out of normal range to before the I/O, I would go see an endocrinologist that has experience in Hormone Replacement Therapy.

If you do a searchon this site using TRT, HRT or testosterone, you'll find plenty of threads, and some very interesting ones in the 2x section.

It would also be helpful if you had your pre I/O testosterone levels as a baseline. If not, no big, just use the symptoms and the current levels.

[Crimson617]

I don't exhibit any of the symptoms that you mention.

I'm pretty annoyed with this whole libido issue and won't be very happy if the reason is because I have low testosterone. Having to go on testosterone replacement for life and all its associated complications really does not sound fun at all.

[Aegean]

Let's not put the cart before the horse. Get the hormone panel.

If it ends up being your T level as opposed to stress, for example, then you will be much more miserable without the TRT. Right now, you don't know, and T levels are just one of a few possible things.

[Kiwi]

There could be a whole host of things that could cause that especially while you are in recovery. Your T levels would normally be ok. With the Libido the pituitary gland also pays a big part.

A consult with your doc or an Endocrinologist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocrinology) could help locate wots going on.

Also are you comfortable with the new you? Di you go with a prosthesis?

Cheers

Kiwi

[Crimson617]

I actually did not get a prosthesis. I want to get one, but I've also heard all the problems associated and also don't want to under the knife again.

In regards to whether I'm comfortable with myself, I think for the most part. I don't obsess over the fact that I lost a testicle, but I do feel like a "damaged good" in some sense. I thought that I had it all before this experience (I know, how arrogant), so TC has thrown a wrench into the picture. Otherwise, I've accepted the fact and moving on..

[Danny13]

Originally Posted by Crimson617

I actually did not get a prosthesis. I want to get one, but I've also heard all the problems associated and also don't want to under the knife again.

In regards to whether I'm comfortable with myself, I think for the most part. I don't obsess over the fact that I lost a testicle, but I do feel like a "damaged good" in some sense. I thought that I had it all before this experience (I know, how arrogant), so TC has thrown a wrench into the picture. Otherwise, I've accepted the fact and moving on..

I think its perfectly normal. While I didn't want to accept it, I definitely had self image issues after my recovery. I did not get a prosthesis. I think it helped that my girlfriend at the time, who is now my wife, made it explicit to me, that if I didn't tell her about the surgery she would have never even cared. I was about your age as well, 21, and was on top of the world before. After a few months, my self confidence returned and sex life was back to normal. Give it some time and you will surely rebound as well. Nothing like a great woman to help you along the way.

[Kiwi]

Hey mate

Have a chat with the doc anyway about this.

Cheers

Kiwi

[MRMRSU]

Originally Posted by Crimson617

I don't obsess over the fact that I lost a testicle, but I do feel like a "damaged good" in some sense.

Nonsense! Maybe a female needs to chime in here to make you feel better. If anything, consider yourself RESTORED now that you've got the cancer out of you. My husband opted not to do a prosthetic either, for the same reason you posted about not wanting to go under the knife again. Really, from a female perspective, you guys give us wa-a-a-y too much credit that we pay attention down there!!! You have to be patient with your recovery. Your body has been through traumatic rounds of chemo and some guys have varying recovery periods. Bring this up with your doc, and perhaps for some peace of mind get your T-level checked anyway.

[Scott]

Originally Posted by Crimson617

...I do feel like a "damaged good" in some sense...

Still way more "good" than "damaged."

[Aegletes]

I completely understand how you feel and certainly felt like "damaged goods" (actually, I felt worse than that but this post isn't about me) for a while. But having, or eventually meeting, an understanding partner makes a big difference. That, and coming to the realization that this is something you could not have helped and which is something you and those around you have to come to accept as being what the word "normal" means to you. That self acceptance can take time so be patient. But before you know it, you will get to the point when you no longer feel like "damaged goods" but instead feel like someone who has survived and who simply bears some battle scars. Perhaps you can even get to the point where you wear those scars with pride, knowing that you've survived.

[Crimson617]

Thanks for the support. It's just weird because I don't have anyone to really relate to since all my friends are young and have never had cancer. I think it'll take some time getting used to. I just don't like the physical remnants of cancer like my really short hair and some darkening of my skin from the bleo.

It's just really weird because some weeks my facial hair grows like a weed and others it doesn't. There are days when I have good libido and others when I'm like hello?? I'll run a few miles one day and then will be tired another day. I feel like I'm going through puberty or something.

[julstech]

I have to agree that men probably don't realize that women don't notice or care about the size or fullness of a man's scrotum. The only time I ever paid attention to my fiance's scrotum was when we both noticed how swollen it was (pre-diagnosis). Now that all post-surgery swelling is gone, I have to admit it looks the same as before cancer. Couldn't tell you if he had 1 or 20 testicles. Make sure there isn't a medical reason for your reduced libido first. Then ask yourself, if a woman cared about whether you had 1 or 2 testicles, is she really worth your time anyway?

[aaad]

Originally Posted by Aegean

.

The libido thing is a bit normal than one might think. The removal of one testicle will result in at least a 25% decrease in pre I/O levels as theoretically the remaining testicle can produce 1.5x what it used to to make up the slack.

I've never heard that before. I was always told that one testicle produced the same testosterone as the two combined, so that your levels after the orchiectomy are the same as before.

However, I also feel that my libido is not where it should be for a 23 year old. I just don't respond to visual stimuli the way I did when I was in my early teens. I also feel that the lack of sensation on one side of the scrotum makes arousal more difficult.

[TGlover]

I've had the fake one in now for 2 months and its been pretty good. Uroologist said he rarely gets people return with problems, but I read somewhere that 1 in 3 people with prosthetics will require corrective surgery later (to reseat it etc).

I feel less emasculated with it in, psychological i know.

[Davepet]

Originally Posted by Crimson617

Thanks for the support. It's just weird because I don't have anyone to really relate to since all my friends are young and have never had cancer. I think it'll take some time getting used to. I just don't like the physical remnants of cancer like my really short hair and some darkening of my skin from the bleo.

It's just really weird because some weeks my facial hair grows like a weed and others it doesn't. There are days when I have good libido and others when I'm like hello?? I'll run a few miles one day and then will be tired another day. I feel like I'm going through puberty or something.

My best guess is that you are still experiencing problems from your chemo, you are just 2 1/2 months out of chemo, I'm now 4 months out & am finally feeling pretty good (ie: pretty much normal) so give your body time to recover, since chemo takes a heavy toll on you.

I was 20 years old when I had my first TC, they didn't even have chemo for tc then, but having one testicle & retrograde ejaculation never slowed me down a bit as far as dating & sex goes & that was 36 years ago, so don't worry about that "damaged goods" crap. You are a survivor, which makes you a winner, not "damaged goods".

Your libido will most likely recover just fine with a bit more time, but if you are concerned, then get your levels checked out, it is far worse to go through life with low T than it is to deal with TRT.

Dave