Depressed=low libido. Why?

What is the scientific reason for low sex drive when depressed? Is it low testosterone levels? I find that during the days when I`m depressed my libido is gone…

stress and sex aren’t good friends.

Depression fucks with serotonin and dopamine levels, for starters. In Hobby’s thread “benefits of fish oil” Zaneblue has posted a link to an article from 2003 about Omega3 and depression, there is some discussion about dopamine and serotonin levels and how they all go haywire (up and down) in various parts of the brain at the same time. But they don’t discuss sexuality in specific. Probably there is more info on sites devoted to depression, possibly on the medication sites (effects on prozac and libido, forinstance). But I don’t think you’ll find a clear answer anywhere.

But you are talking of “blue” days, not depression, I take it? Depression lasts for more than just days. If you’re just depressed for days on and off you might either be mildly bipolar (if you experience this with any sort of regularity) or you could have a cognitive thinking trap that triggers you inte depressive thinking - and this is probably connected to “I’m a failure - I don’t deserve success - I’m not successfull - I’m not happy because I’m not successful - I’m a failure because I’m not happy - I’m a failure” or similar vicious cognitive downward spirals. There are probably other ailments that would have the same effect.

Thats what I`m talking about. So Omega3 might help me?

I mean, it might help me with my sex drive?

twatteaser - Smart Drugs (nootropics)

Neurotransmitters in General

Seratonin Basics and Links
Serotonin for Dummies
Dopamine your pleasure chemical

Well, there seems to be ample evidence that lack of Omega3 and depression (incl bipolar problems and ADD) are closely connected. Taking Omega3 - search for depression-omega3 here, also look at what Zaneblue has linked to - might be good for you, and certainly won’t hurt. As a matter of fact (https://www.oilofpisces.com ) it seems to be very good for all kind of things. But if your problem is negative thinking and associated vicious downward spirals, then cognitive behavioural therapy or NLP might be more beneficial. Search for Paul McKenna and mp3 on this site (posted by Rootcap, I believe) for a link to a hypnotherapy "break free from negative thinking" mp3. Quite good actually.

After reading up on Omega3 and NLP, you might just decide to go for both.

True depression has a loss of self-worth at it’s core - in regular sorrow you mourn the loss of something but when you are depressed you mourn the loss of self-worth (self-respect). The latter process has no upward slope, you don’t break free from it on your own. You need to deal with root issues and/or add medication to break free from the depressed cycle and move on into a regular sorrow-process (mourning). I find that just knowing that loss of self-worth is at the core of depression / depressive thinking lets me break free from negative thinking easier; it’s not just me that got something messed up ("I failed"), it works the same way for all people - that is a consolation.

If you have recurring one-day blues, you need to try to identify the triggers (stress, hurtful words from spouse, unappreciative boss, argument with parents - whatever recurring event or series of events that seem to be involved each time) and either deal with the root of the trigger (classic psychotherapy - "my mother didn’t love me") and deal with wounds to your self-love (healthy narcissism) or just install a failsafe method when the trigger occurs such as positive thinking (instead of allowing the "I failed" to grab hold, you look at possible outcomes and say "Yeah, OK so I made a mistake - let’s see if I can learn something from it this time"), or going for a walk, to the gym or whatever method you find will break the spiral. Cognitive behavioural therapy is not so much about understanding what is wrong as with finding ways to get well.

Search, read up on the posts here at Thunder’ and then I’ll be happy to discuss more if you still have questions - for what little I can add to what has already been written here.

According to Zaneblue, taking lots of Omega3 will increase Libido by a lot.

I read somewhere on a site that low testosterone levels may cause minor depression. I do have low levels of testosterone. It is interesting cause in the days when I feel very horny(for example if I take supplements to boost my testosterone) I`m 0 % depressed.

You might want to read 789’s thread “I have been diagnosed with andropause” (or something like that). I have no idea how testosterone affects the rest of the neurotransmitters, but I have read that extreme lack of test will have listlessness and lack of energy as a side effect. Whether or not Omega3 is connected to test, I have no idea. But it might be good for other things that affects your situation, as will positive thinking.

Some things that should help.
Zinc
Omega 3 and 6
Vitamin-D
Enough sleep

-Quit smoking if you smoke.
-Eat healthy

Try Tribulus terrestris and L-arginine.

All these things work for me.

No, not Omega6 - we get plenty of that in a normal western diet as it is. You want to change the ratio O3:O6 from the likely 1:10-1:20 to as low as possible. Attempts at calculating optimium range from 1:3-1:7.

I have no idea why, but know it’s true first hand.

Besides the supps and recommendations above… Get out in the sun and exercise. It’s great cure for depression and low sex drive. Don’t take anti-depressants, they fuck you up even more.

Are you currently taking any medication?