Libido

[PozBearWI]

I am puzzled how since I had cryptosporidium infection; and subsequently started HIV meds, my libido is just gone...  A part of my mind remains interested, yet a part of me still is just sort of yawning at that which would have been something I was always ready to enjoy.  WTF just happened?  Is it the massive political noise that fills every waking hour?  Was it a side effect of the crypto?  Does Dovato contain libido suppressing medications?  Is it simply my 78th trip around the sun I am on?  

I experience it as cognitive dissonance - back to a "who am I" time.

[Poz50something]

58 minutes ago, PozBearWI said:

I am puzzled how since I had cryptosporidium infection; and subsequently started HIV meds, my libido is just gone...  A part of my mind remains interested, yet a part of me still is just sort of yawning at that which would have been something I was always ready to enjoy.  WTF just happened?  Is it the massive political noise that fills every waking hour?  Was it a side effect of the crypto?  Does Dovato contain libido suppressing medications?  Is it simply my 78th trip around the sun I am on?  

 

[think before following links] https://www.catie.ca/catie-news/dutch-study-ties-hiv-to-erection-problems-in-middle-aged-men I think, generally, being HIV+ can be associated with lower testosterone and libido problems. "Since the late 1980s, researchers have reported that HIV-positive men have lower-than-normal levels of testosterone in their blood. This does not always normalize after HIV treatment is initiated. The reason for lower-than-normal levels of testosterone in otherwise healthy HIV-positive men is not clear." ([think before following links] https://www.catie.ca/catie-news/dutch-study-ties-hiv-to-erection-problems-in-middle-aged-men). There have also been studies indicating that HIV causes erection problems as well. 

[viking8x6]

My guess would be stress, generally. You described both physical stress (HIV, crypto, medication) and emotional stress (the drumbeat of political news). Stress can really fuck with your libido; it certainly does with mine. Rather than thinking of sexy fun time...

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...you'll just be completely blocked and hopeless and wondering why you shouldn't just go into the kitchen and have a nice glass of warm gin straight out of the cat dish.

(as a book I've been reading lately puts it). Ayup. Not the recommended treatment for stress, of course, but an understandable response. 

[Poz50something]

15 minutes ago, viking8x6 said:

My guess would be stress, generally. You described both physical stress (HIV, crypto, medication) and emotional stress (the drumbeat of political news). Stress can really fuck with your libido; it certainly does with mine. Rather than thinking of sexy fun time...

(as a book I've been reading lately puts it). Ayup. Not the recommended treatment for stress, of course, but an understandable response. 

oh, yeah, there is all of that as well.. 🙂

[PozBearWI]

Thanks guys.  Indeed, it most likely is a combination of all three.  Fortunately there is a big part of me that at least recognizes interest; even if MrHappy doesn't care to join me.