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Not Getting Sex Drive After An Operation. Blood Test Came Normal. Any Hormonal Imbalance?

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Posted on Thu, 14 Mar 2013
Question: I have no libido since having a XXXXXXX sure operation. I seem to experience no adrenal features physically also. What would my hormones indicate?

Please discount psychological factors as cessation in libido was almost immediate after op. prior to this I was highly sexed, physically with partner and myself; daily. Now, I have no feelings in the genital area, I do not get aroused and I do not think about sex.

I have tried many herbal remedies supposedly for libido. I have also had various blood tests which all come back normal, aside from one of which the name escapes me, but of which a specialist confirms, has made my body that of a 20 year old. Something since the op has caused FSH or LH (examples only) a particular hormone level reading to have reversed into being better for my age.

I am currently waiting for an appointment for the only thing that has not been checked which is DHEA, DHEAS and andronedestiode (spelling is wrong but I am sure you know what this is).

So please could you give me your opinion as to what the op has caused a change in and, are the current tests likely to be on the right track?

Please note that hormones prior to op indicated a 7% chance of pregnancy (having children not an issue).

Kind regards
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (3 hours later)
Hello
Thank you for your query.
It would help me a great deal if you could scan and attach the copies of the hormonal profiles already done, which you mention were normal , and the one which was slightly out of range, though beneficial as you said.
Moreover, decreased adrenal hormones could certainly be a cause of decreased libido. Hence both DHEAS and androstenedione level reports would give us a clue.
Moreover, decreased thyroid levels could be a cause.
As you are 45, you could be experiencing peri menopausal transitions, where you naturally feel vaginal dryness, lack of sensation and decreased libido.
Also, it is strange that this effect was immediate post op. XXXXXXX sure merely ablates ( destroys ) the uterine lining, thereby avoiding heavy periods .
It does not have such a sudden or profound or immediate or long lasting effect on libido.
Also, you have not mentioned how long back was Novasure performed, as any kind of surgery has decreased libido as a definite side effect. However, the surgery and procedure per se have NO effect on hormonal functioning and hence, libido.
Just a word, certain medications, particularly antihypertensives, anti depression medicines and anti androgenic ones, cause decreased libido.
As you are very sure that psychological stress / depression / relationship issues are not implicated, I would put a peri menopausal transition coinciding with your surgery as the first possibility.
Only hormonal evaluation can prove that, hence I asked for the details.
Try counselling, psychotherapy, yoga and recreational exercise in moderation, adequate calcium and vitamin D supplementation ( vitamin D deficiency is being highlighted as a cause ), and clitoral stimulation gels.
Meanwhile, awaiting further communication with you.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (1 hour later)
Thanks for responding. The op was march 2010. And I have been trying to solve the problem ever since. I will try and get the hormonal results for you before the discussion closes.

It really is as if (my boyfriend quotes) 'a tap has been turned off'. Because the sex was so good before the op? We constantly row over this topic daily and it is very difficult for him not to take the matter personally.

It may be that it is adrenal related? I forgot I was very ill one day and had to get a cab before lunch to the station. I got sick and had the extreme runs every half hour until about 4 in the morning. I got to the point where I almost called an ambulance but it stopped. The excruciating pain in my stomach was like someone stabbing my cut open stomach with shears of glass.

I never get viruses and worked in the city and nobody in the building had caught what I had. The noro virus I believe doesn't include the stomach pains I described?

I worked for the FSCS in a difficult complex financial role. And was also coping with my brothers Neurofybromitosis. He died but myself and parents looked after him for 2 years and it was extremely stressful for me as in addition there was money to be sorted out and I was protecting my parents from family members wanting it and I dealt with a large Estate in a matter of months.

Could I have had adrenal failure? As I don't get those rushes anymore? And could my body still be in deficit after all this time?

Am pretty sure the illness was about 6 months prior to the heavy constant bleeding which led to the op in March 2010?
Hello again. Op was 30/03/11

Tests done on 29 October 2012

I am trying to upload tests but not working?

But on 16/3/11 prior to op =

FSH was 12.5 u/l
LH was 10.8u/l
Oestradiol was 317 pmol/l
Anti mullerian hormone was 0.07 pmol/l (21.98-37.9)

Al the tests done in 2012 came back as normal but I cannot upload pages? (Appreciate this is unhelpful). But if you need to know of a result for a particular test ie serum FSH Etc, I can tell you the results?
Actually I can give you the after op results to match above:

29/10/12 tests were

Serum FSH was 4.2 u/l
Serum LH was 2.8u/l
Serum Oestradiol level was 733pmol/l

Also I have not had a period since the op. I hope this all helps?

Kindest regards.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (3 hours later)
Hello again,
Its nice interacting with you.
As the uterine lining is ablated, you would not have a period, which is natural and to be expected.
However, your recent hormonal reports ( December 2012 ) definitely do not put you in the peri menopausal bracket, as they are absolutely normal, for a woman of reproductive age group. The FSH, LH and serum oestradiol levels definitely do not give a reason for your decreased libido.
It could be due to lowered adrenal hormone levels, as adrenal hormones are greatly affected by stress, which you have described you have faced in various aspects of personal and family life over the past 2 years.
Novasure has no effect on hormones or libido, particularly after 2 years.
I suggest an adrenal and thyroid hormone profile, alongwith some sexual counselling and partner therapy also.
Norovirus does cause cramping, abdominal pain and vomiting, so it could very well be a reason for the episode you described.
You could now get the remaining ( adrenal and thyroid ) tests done, and then consult a Sexual Counsellor who would prescribe appropriate hormonal therapy and local gels.
Meanwhile, talking to your partner, keeping time aside for sex, and using various sex toys and stimulatory gels will help you get in the groove while you await results.
Hoping for the best for you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (13 hours later)
Thank you so much for your help.

It is really an odd predicament which I don't understand. I take heed in all you say and will await results. The specialist reiterates what you say (not totally) and says there would only be a change if something had affected my ovaries during the op which we feel is unlikely.

I'm not sure what I had was the norovirus though? Myself my boyfriend and his son had it before Xmas and it is totally different to what I experienced on the incident described. I had projectile vomit and the runs every half hour. And the pain really was unbearable. But I didn't have anyone to call to come and help at the time but I thought I was going to die because of the pain in the stomach (have a high pain threshold). I tried to find out what it was and the symptoms fitted adrenal failure more than the noro virus?

I am hoping the problem has, got something to do with my adrenal gland? Because presently I am impotent. It's a very stressful situation to be in.

Can you please just tell me if any of the current tests check adrenalin production or do I need a different test?

Again thank you so much for coming up with a not so dissimilar prognosis. If the tests show normality then I will have to consider psychological issues and seek assistance (I had counselling before for some things that happened when I was younger-but I assumed I was fixed in that area. Maybe not).

Kindest regards again.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (33 minutes later)
Hi,
Adrenal failure ( crisis ) could have similar presentation, but then after that you would have required some intensive drugs and hormone replacement, and could not have managed so far without it.
I believe it could be some form of psychosomatic stress and anxiety, related to your age and situations around you.
The adrenal tests prescribed will definitely show a malfunctioning gland if the problem exists. So do not worry on that score.
And I can perceive that you are very intelligent and insightful, and am sure you will definitely treat your problem with the correct approach.
All the best
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Aarti Abraham

OBGYN

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 6004 Questions

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Not Getting Sex Drive After An Operation. Blood Test Came Normal. Any Hormonal Imbalance?

Hello
Thank you for your query.
It would help me a great deal if you could scan and attach the copies of the hormonal profiles already done, which you mention were normal , and the one which was slightly out of range, though beneficial as you said.
Moreover, decreased adrenal hormones could certainly be a cause of decreased libido. Hence both DHEAS and androstenedione level reports would give us a clue.
Moreover, decreased thyroid levels could be a cause.
As you are 45, you could be experiencing peri menopausal transitions, where you naturally feel vaginal dryness, lack of sensation and decreased libido.
Also, it is strange that this effect was immediate post op. XXXXXXX sure merely ablates ( destroys ) the uterine lining, thereby avoiding heavy periods .
It does not have such a sudden or profound or immediate or long lasting effect on libido.
Also, you have not mentioned how long back was Novasure performed, as any kind of surgery has decreased libido as a definite side effect. However, the surgery and procedure per se have NO effect on hormonal functioning and hence, libido.
Just a word, certain medications, particularly antihypertensives, anti depression medicines and anti androgenic ones, cause decreased libido.
As you are very sure that psychological stress / depression / relationship issues are not implicated, I would put a peri menopausal transition coinciding with your surgery as the first possibility.
Only hormonal evaluation can prove that, hence I asked for the details.
Try counselling, psychotherapy, yoga and recreational exercise in moderation, adequate calcium and vitamin D supplementation ( vitamin D deficiency is being highlighted as a cause ), and clitoral stimulation gels.
Meanwhile, awaiting further communication with you.

Take care.