Nolvadex and Sex drive

[Andromeda]

To treat gynecomastia and lower my estrogen levels I've been taking Nolvadex since Sept 11 this year. Initially the first month saw me take just 10mg a day. At the 1 month followup review this has since been upped to 20mg a day.
In the first few days since upping the dosage my sex drive improved greatly. eg: Face to face contact with attractive females at supermarket or in the office led to partial erections and pre-cum production (depending on situation)
However approx 2 weeks after starting the higher dosage I find my sex drive is as poor as ever, and I'm rarely getting aroused in the aforementioned situations where I normally would. I recently read a great reply Marianco made to this thread callin marianco and swale please!! and note that estrogen levels are needed for arousal and sexual proactivity. Is it possible that the Nolvadex which now must be at fairly high levels in my system, is somehow suppressing sex drive. eg: blocking estrogen receptors in the brain that are responsible for arousal? Or is it actually leaving my brain saturated with too much fake estrogen which is then disturbing sex drive?

Any advice will be much appreciated as I have my followup review soon where I have a chance to make treatment alterations....

Thanks in advance,

[Vforcer2]

Yes you are likely taking too much. Stop taking it until your drive comes back, then you may want to proceed with the 10mg dose if that is what was working for you, if you feel that is neccasary.

How did you determine your estrogens were to high?

Do you actually have gyno or are you just overweight?

[marianco]

Originally Posted by Andromeda

To treat gynecomastia and lower my estrogen levels I've been taking Nolvadex since Sept 11 this year. Initially the first month saw me take just 10mg a day. At the 1 month followup review this has since been upped to 20mg a day.
In the first few days since upping the dosage my sex drive improved greatly. eg: Face to face contact with attractive females at supermarket or in the office led to partial erections and pre-cum production (depending on situation)
However approx 2 weeks after starting the higher dosage I find my sex drive is as poor as ever, and I'm rarely getting aroused in the aforementioned situations where I normally would. I recently read a great reply Marianco made to this thread callin marianco and swale please!! and note that estrogen levels are needed for arousal and sexual proactivity. Is it possible that the Nolvadex which now must be at fairly high levels in my system, is somehow suppressing sex drive. eg: blocking estrogen receptors in the brain that are responsible for arousal? Or is it actually leaving my brain saturated with too much fake estrogen which is then disturbing sex drive?

Any advice will be much appreciated as I have my followup review soon where I have a chance to make treatment alterations....

Thanks in advance,

Nolvadex can block estrogen receptors in the hypothalamus resulting in an increase in LH production, which then increaes tesotsterone. But Nolvadex can block estrogen receptors in the brain which affect sex drive, which can be experienced at higher doses. When it comes to estrogen, a balance (not too low or not too high) is necessary.

Nolvadex is an option to testosterone deficiency. However, the long-term risks are not well known in men. The risk for blood clots is also a concern, among the side effects.

[Andromeda]

Thanks for the responses.
To summarise - Vforcer you are suggesting I'm taking a high dosage? I thought 20mg a day was middle of the road and standard?

Re: How my estrogen was tested - I had E2 blood tests that have shown me above the reference range slightly. I clearly have gynecomastia so I'm on the Nolvadex which is making fairly good progress.

PS I am definitely not overweight at 13% body fat, plenty of muscle from hard work at the gym, and yet I still have gynecomastia... very frustrating....

Marianco - to clarify your post - I note from this and your previous posts the mechanism by which Nolvadex increases LH by its blockage of receptors in the hypothalamus, but are you suggesting it also blocks E2 in some other area or way that inhibits sex drive. If so is it by replicating estrogen excess, or by creating a false shortage?

Cheers for your insights so far...

[Vforcer2]

I know you are taking too much from your symtoms. Not from the number of milligrams. Everyone is different and respond differently to medications.

[rockin813]

Andromeda...possible the nolvadex is reacting with other medications/therapies you are on? Or is the Nolvadex the only thing you are currently taking?

[van-man]

Originally Posted by Vforcer2

I know you are taking too much from your symtoms. Not from the number of milligrams. Everyone is different and respond differently to medications.

Agreed. I have no problem at that dose and I don't think many people do, but if I had the symptoms you have I would most certianly cut the dose back a bit. Your persistence of the gyno issues should clue you in that you do not have the typical male stats when it comes to estrogen.

[role model]

Has anyone ever heard of getting a headache from Nolvadex? I get them all the time and go away within 24 hrs after stopping treatment.

[Andromeda]

Originally Posted by rockin813

Andromeda...possible the nolvadex is reacting with other medications/therapies you are on? Or is the Nolvadex the only thing you are currently taking?

I take hydrocortisone - 10mg for most days and sometimes 15mg if Im gyming.
From what I understand this is a fairly minimal dose since the body automatically produces 40mg a day of cortisol, and 10mg of hydrocortisone is not even equivalent to 10mg cortisol anyway....
Just as an aside - my sex drive has improved somewhat since the original post, however this may be due to the fact I'm avoiding fish the last couple weeks on the suspicion I'm intoxicated with mercury.... (Its automatically reducing its levels in my body given its 40 day half life)

[zumper]

Why not trying an anti-aromatase such as Arimidex.

[taser]

i used nolvadex and noticed no increase in sex drive..it did absolutely nothing for T levels,however,it did raise my SBHG,which in turn lowers free test...clomid on the other hand,increased T levels 150% at 50 mgs per day for 2 weeks.however,i am concerned about long term use of clomid as there were no studies..2 different doctors tell me that clomid has a more profound effect on the hypothlaamus than nolvadex.my blood results are proof of that.then again,everyone is different. the big increase in SBHB is enough for me to stay clear away from nolvadex.

[rockin813]

i'v been on 20mg (taken in 2 doses) for 5 days now...have high total Es, mid/low T, and slight gyne (no nodules...but some tissue; not fat).

noticed it's a bit more difficult to get an erection. ..erections haven't been spontaneous for a while now but after some stimulation they would occur. not so easily now.

I'm gonna cut back to 10mg a day to see any results. I believe my situation is from propecia (finasteride) use for 7yrs...sides started in 7th year....that's when i quit (1.5yrs ago). T has slowly rised from basement levels to middle of range.

Any advice?

Thanks
Jack