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new study finds that men >65 with low libido and Testosterone levels < 275 increase sexual function with Testosterone therapy.  Only libido was improved; no benefit to erectile function was noted--note that is likely due to depleted NO.  Given time that should improve with he increase in NO synthase and thus NO.  I have a fault with on elf the comments on this study: they point out that increased free Testosterone and estradiol levels were associated with improved sexual activity.  This lacks an understanding of the physiology.  In men with low T > 65, the majority are dealing with inflammation and excess weight; all of which increase aromatase activity and thus estradiol activity.  This does not indicate that an increase in estradiol activity is associated with improved libido in men.  How can elevated estrogen levels lead to low T and then increase levels are associated with improved libido?  This is merely a reflection of the body's dysfunctional physiology.  This observation of increased estradiol by no means shows cause and effect.  Scientists need to due a better job in vetting what they write!

Testosterone and libido in women: the data is limited.  The data that links low T in women to low libido is not present.  That questions the whole low T, libido theory in women.

Again, Testosterone and here Estradiol are merely there for libido and sex.  What tunnel vision?!  What about hsCRP?  What about fibrinogen?  What about IL-1beta?  What about TNF-alpha?  These inflammatory cytokines have all been reported to elevate as a result of estrogen production in men.   And PSA?  No mention of it here.   This linear, tunnel vision thinking on hormones has got to stop! The study points out that all clients were using AIs and SERMs irregardless of whether they had elevated estrogens or not.  That is not a well designed study.  One group should have had AI's if elevated estrogens were present and another group should not--this would compare the effects of aromatase activity.  Second, this was simply a retrospective chart review.  Third, a 50% conversion of 34,000 + men is very high when you look at the literature.  Fourth, they point to gynecomastia as a means of negative?  The cardiovascular implications are more significant.  These studies just seem to focus on superficial things.  Fifth, did libido problems exist before?  What were the free levels?   This falls in the paucity of data (2 studies) that point to excessive lowering of estradiol effecting libido and sexual performance.

Estradiol levels significantly negatively correlated libido and orgasm frequency in men.  Conversely, free levels of testosterone positively correlated with libido and orgasm frequency.

This is a reference to a blog, but a well referenced blog on low libido and meds, particularly antidepressants and psychotropics.

New study finds "modest" association between Testosterone, DHEA, and FSH with libido, masturbation, and climax in women.  The author describes them as "subtle".  The association was not statistically significant.  The study found a great association with relationships than with Testosterone. This study points out the complexity that is libido in women.  It also casts doubt on the massive Testosterone push in women with little documented data.

This study confirms what we know about Testosterone, but this study finds that Estradiol aids libido and fat loss.  The conclusion on Estradiol I believe to be extremely premature.  First, it flies in the face of all the accumulative data on estradiol, second, what normal physiology is being replicated with goserelin???  Goserelin has been shown to decrease Prolactin which can effect libido also.  What about the potential there?  The men included in the study were described as "healthy".  So, you are taking "healthy" normal funcitoning men, throwing in a monkey wrench and looking at the effects of your monkey wrench.  Sorry, not physiologic.  In all my practice, I have seen one man with low Estradiol levels.  There is no reference to the hormone levels in the men preceding the suppression with goserelin.  This is a study that lacks application.

Good review of the data on Testosterone, libido, Testosterone therapy in women, and safety of Testosterone therapy in women.

This is just an abstract due to the publication date.  However, this study, though small, found that elevated estradiol and estrone levels preceded myocardial infarctions in small study group (15).  The surprise was that physical symptoms of slow beard growth, loss of libido, and gynecomastia preceded the events.  Also, the testosterone levels were normal.  Got that: elevated estrogen levels with normal testosterone levels result in significant symptoms.

Increased aromatase activity and resultant estrogen production negatively effects libido in HIV men.  I don't believe that this effect is just found in those with HIV, but can be extrapolated to all.

Lexapro can increase Prolactin levels which can cause libido dysfunction and galactorrhea as in this case.

Bulbine natalensis (Baker) stem found to be useful in libido/ED at doses of 25-50 mg/kg in animal studies.

review of the literature finds that Testosterone therapy in women with low libido improves sexual activity without CVD and breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women.  Post menopause is a time associated with an increased risk of CVD in women.

limited study as it is a case study of 1.  However, there was improvement with libido, erection, and orgasm in this case study of 1 with intranasal oxytocin.

The right amygdala appears to play a role in the postpartum decline in libido in women.  This study found no difference with intranasal oxytocin spray.

Oxytocin and libido.

low physical activity, high BMI and low libido are independent predictors of low Testosterone.

Low Testosterone, low libido, and ED associated with prior hepatitis B and hepatitis C.  

Low Hormones, post-ovary removal, linked to low libido

A systemic review of Testosterone benefit in men stirs the pot.  I can't say that I agree with the majority of their conclusions.  What I do agree with them on is that the majority of men on Testosterone therapy likely don't need it and are simply using Testosterone as a drug.