Any solutions for libido? Gone.....

[Euphoricgirl]

Alright, this may be a silly question and guys no laughing!! I am sure I am not the only woman on here to have lost or simply can't find... her sex drive. It literally ran and hid and I cannot seem to locate it! Unfortunately I do feel bad for my husband , for he has no idea that I am an addict and last night he told me we were married but were more like friends. WHICH....he is right. I love him to pieces and I know its the opiates that most likely have caused me to have such a low libido. Any suggestions or types of meds, herbs, etc. that can help with this? AND DD is you come back with some smart ass remark so help me.....:whip: (Just kiddin....loveya).... So anybody have any useful information?

[HistoryofMadness]

i got two words for ya:

wellbutrin

[devilsdrug]

shit hon this the same for me

[SuperJunky]

This is kinda spilled over from another thread but when your WD have you had sex EG? Did you achieve orgasm quicker than usual? Same goes for any others that wouldnt mind answering?

As for the labido thing for me (not a female) it goes in cycles. I'll have no drive then for some reason the drugs will get me horny. It probably has something to do w/ what the dope is cut w/. If I remember correctly your a hydro/oxy person, which I find kills the labido more than H or Morph. As for wellbutrin that completly killed my sex drive 100%. Not sure if thats what you were getting at or you were suggesting it as a solution. The only thing I can say should bring it back is abstinance.

The husband more like a friend thing, maybe I'm screwed in the head but I dont find sex to be what makes a relationship more than friends. And I definatly think friendship should be the bases of any seriouse relationship.

[HistoryofMadness]

Wellbutrin increases sex drive in most people.

this link might be old (http://onhealth.webmd.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=50312&page=2) but its still true. for more gooooooogle 'wellbutrin' or 'bupropion' and 'sex drive'.

it works for men too. the reason is because it is a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, and pretty much the only one that i know of that isn't controlled.

[doctor diesel]

I would love to know just what it is about opiates that causes the loss of sexual ability. Opies kill my ardour stone dead - really to the point of impotence. Given my position - married to a disabled woman who has no sex drive for other reasons, that's probably a very good thing.
But what worries me is that even if I abstain from opies for, say, a week, while the interest in sex does creep back, the actual ability stays a stone's throw behind the interest, and any attempt at playing with the beast leads to a very dissatisfying premature ejaculation.
It's all a bit of a mess, and it makes me wonder if any permanent damage is being done to the sexual mechanism. Which leads me back to my first comment, about wanting to know what it is about opies that suppresses the system; is it that testosterone production is impaired, or what?
Anybody know?

Doc Diesel

[Euphoricgirl]

Well super I whole heartedly agree with you on the friends should also be the basis, but my husband does not feel that way. He feels sex is the basis of the marriage, what holds it together and when I try to make my points with him, well I might as well talk to the wall. And yes... I suppose when I am withdrawing or clean I do have much more urge.

On another note: Goodness DD, sorry to hear that. I thought for sure you were gonna make me laugh.

I have bought that Damiana herb and that does not do crap. Just was hoping there was some sort of miracle drug, or herb that may help, for at this point I am facing.....Being clean or being single. There has to be something.....Come on all you doctors, nurses and chemists....

[vicious86]

My wife and i are both on methadone. We have no sex life execpt when we take extacy. It works for us with a little viagra.

[superman]

i can sympathize of course. my libido is damn near non-existant. i rarely even jerk off when using, and persuing a women just requires too much effort when i'm high(everyday).

i remember back when i was not into opies really, but was into meth mainly, i would sometimes bring more than one girl home to play in the hot tub..... now such a thang is just beyond me... the interst just isn't there...

maybe i should swich from modafinil over to bupropion and see if that help me at all.....

[Chemical_Boy]

Alright, this may be a silly question and guys no laughing!! I am sure I am not the only woman on here to have lost or simply can't find... her sex drive. It literally ran and hid and I cannot seem to locate it! Unfortunately I do feel bad for my husband , for he has no idea that I am an addict and last night he told me we were married but were more like friends. WHICH....he is right. I love him to pieces and I know its the opiates that most likely have caused me to have such a low libido. Any suggestions or types of meds, herbs, etc. that can help with this? AND DD is you come back with some smart ass remark so help me.....:whip: (Just kiddin....loveya).... So anybody have any useful information?

Opiate medication and dope have this effect on many people (including myself) when used on a daily basis.

The only solution that I found was to quit doing the opies so often. I have no libido problems when I don't actually have a habit (i.e., as long as I don't use often enough to cause withdrawals when I stop, my sexlife is fine. If I am using often enough to where I will have withdrawals if I stop, I basically have no desire for sex.)

You could try anti-depressants. They seem to work for some people. I see people have mentioned Wellbutrin (Bupropion), but you might also want to look at trazadone. Some people love traz, some hate it, but I find it works well and a lot of people mention that they get horny while taking it. I don't know that I get any hornier consciously, but I do have more sexually oriented dreams (It's like being in high school again! Woo Hoo!!) while taking it.

[Frozen]

No supposed 'aphrodisiac' substance in the history of mankind has ever held up under scientific scrutiny. However, there is a peptide currently in phase 3 clinical trials showing a great deal of promise. Here's an article hyping it, from New York Magazine: http://nymag.com/lifestyle/sex/annual/2005/15061/

It's called Bremelanotide (formerly PT-141), and it supposedly works on an entirely separate mechanism than PDE5 inhibitors like viagra & cialis. That class of medication can only stimulate blood flow to the right area- Brem actually makes you horny, and works on both genders.

So if it's still in clinical trials, how does that help you? Well, there are already merchants who sell Brem as a research chemical, and I know of a reliable one. Since it can't *gasp* produce a narcotic high, the suppression of underground Brem sales is not very high on the prohibition enforcement thugs' priority list. Here's a discussion among people who have tried it:

http://melanotan.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=bremelanotide-exp;action=display;num=1160156507

[SuperJunky]

I've taken trazadone before. I wasnt prescribed it, a friend gave it to me to help me sleep. It didnt really help w/ that much, I guess it made me a bit sleepy but nothing to get excited over. It did give me some strange sexual dreams, and on one occasion I woke up w/ a sticky leg, but the dreams were just right down bizare. I've heard of a very unwanted side affect for males that can result in castration. It just seems to be a really screwy substance, I really havnt heard anything good from any one I've known thats tried it, prescribed for depression, sleep or in one case ADHD. I'd be careful w/ it. Just my 2 cents on the substance.

I realize that your sex drive isnt there, but could you "fake it?" If you get started, you know some foreplay, can you get into it, or is there a problem w/ vaginal dryness? What about when your in WD. I know its the last thing you probably want to think about in that state but I've found that I'm super sensative to sexual stimulation when I'm in WD. And while I'm having sex in WD it really takes my mind off of it, even if I'm not really in the mood. It helps relieve a good deal of the discomfort and when I achieve orgasm it seems to completly eliminate the problem for a couple minutes. If you really want to keep the relationship and it requires you have sex (maybe I'm weird but if I was in a seriouse relationship and I really loved the girl I would never require sex, and I would dump any girl that required it of me, even though it wouldnt bother me to perform for her If I could physically get it up, even if I knew I wasnt going to be able to get off...) maybe you could just wait for WD to come on, it doesnt have to be severe WD, screw, then dose.

I know alot of you are probably uncomfortable, or reluctant, esp you ladies out there to discuss this but I'm extremly curiouse about a couple things, and I'm willing to bet it varies from person to person so if a couple of you wouldnt mind answering it would be extremely helpful.

1. When your on opiates, and it kills your sex drive is it just a lack of desire, or ability? You shouldnt be having sex if you cant get atleast a little moisture going down there. Lubricant can help but you really shouldnt go for it if your completly dry initially.

2. Does WD make you horny at all? Even if it doesnt and you are stimulated in a sexual manner are you more sensitive to this?

3. If you have had sex/masturbated while in WD did you achieve orgasm quicker than normal?

4. If you have had sex/masturbated while in WD did it help relieve some of the symptoms? What about after or during orgasm?

Any males willing to answer the questions that apply to them?

I'm really curiouse about this in a scientific way, I'm not trying to embarass anyone. I'm not trying to hijack this thread, I really think this aplys in its own way. Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm under the impression that sex causes a release of dopamine/endorphins and other variouse chemicals. I'm going to do some research on this after I post but if any one knows chemically what sex does, especially in referance to dopamine/indignouse opiods.

PLEASE SOME ONE STEP UP AND GIVE ME SOME ANSWERS, THIS IS A VERY UNDERSTANDING GROUP AND NO ONE HAS ANY REASON TO BE EMBARRASED OR FEEL THAT YOU WILL BE JUDGED/LOOKED DOWN UPON. If for some reason anyone, male or female doesnt feel comfortable answering these questions here and would PM there answers I'll post them and keep you completly anonymous.

EDIT: 2 seconds and a google search and I came up w/this.
The Chemistry Behind Sex
The orgasm pleasure is fascillitated through stimulation of the endorphins/opiate receptors. The libido itself is stimulated by dopamine and noradrenal receptors (Provigil boosts libido) and inhibited with serotonin receptors (SSRI's can inhibit libido). Things that can increase libido are NA-Agonists, Zinc, P5P and B12. Things that can reduce libido are SSRI's and anything that can clog NA receptors such as heavy metals and H2S (hydrogen sulfide caused by fermentation of sugar in gut by bad yeast or bacteria). Things that make H2S worse and therefore reduce libido are bad bacteria or yeast in gut, and the sugar they ferment. Therefore, less sugar consumption, in some people with this condition, boosts libido.

So if I remember correctly opiates supress noradrenalin production. Isnt that what clonodine does? Or am I confusing this w/ norepinphrin (sp?), or is it both? I was under the impression that a good deal of the anxiety and general over stimulated but not stimulated feeling was caused by excess adrenaline and other variouse indiginouse stimulants.

I notice alot of my posts in general are ignored by many members. Do you have something against me or are they just generally too long and therefore go unread?


Provigil
Provigil (Modafinil = Modiodal) is an NA-Agonists that stimulates the NA alpha-1 receptor. In doctor lingo, it is a CNS (central nervous system) alpha-1 adrenergic Agonist. It is FDA approved and is used to effectively reduce sleepiness for people with narcolepsy. Sleepiness? Is that like fatigue? Yes. NA-Agonists have been used in Europe during the 1990's, and are just beginning to become popular in the USA. For details on the Rx drug Provigil, please click here (http://www.beatcfsandfms.org/Drugs/Provigil.html). For an example of a study that found that Provigil is not harmful (e.g. not habit forming) over a long period of time and helped people with narcolepsy, please see REFERENCE #10 (http://www.beatcfsandfms.org/references/refs1x.html#ref10). For a study that found that Provigil does not hurt one's hormones, please see REFERENCE #11 (http://www.beatcfsandfms.org/references/refs11_.html#ref11). For a study that looked at the noradrenic properties of Provigil, please see REFERENCE #12 (http://www.beatcfsandfms.org/references/refs11_.html#ref12). For a paper on the use of Provigil (Modafinil) for Idiopathic Hypersomnia (a term that sleep researchers use for chronic fatigue), please click here (http://www.beatcfsandfms.org/references/IdiopathicHypersomnia.html). To learn about the pitfuls of long term use, please click here (http://www.beatcfsandfms.org/html/NaStrategy.html#longtermrx). To learn more about studies involving Provigil, search "Modafinil" at Medline (http://www.infotrieve.com/freemedline/) after 1990.

Wellbutrin SR
Wellbutrin SR (also called "Buproprion") is a noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (NARI), and decreases the amount of noradrenaline (NA) absorbed by the transmitting nerve cell when it is recycled back for another pitch of the ball (neurotransmitter) from the pitcher to the catcher (tranmsitting nerve cell to receiving nerve cell). The end result is you end up with excess noradrenaline in the space between the transmitting and receiving nerve cell. Wellbutrin is an FDA approved Rx drug and has been used extensively in the USA during the 1990's. For details on Wellbutrin, please click here (http://www.beatcfsandfms.org/Drugs/Wellbutrin.html). To learn about the pitfuls of long term use, please click here (http://www.beatcfsandfms.org/html/NaStrategy.html#longtermrx). To learn more about studies involving Wellbutrin, search "Buproprion" at Medline (http://www.infotrieve.com/freemedline/) after 1990.

And a very interesting link about pain, sex and brain chemistry. http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2003/painbrain.htm

[Chris_Thantos]

With or without opiates my libido is just fine. My fiance just sucks in bed ... Lol

Jokes ... its just jokes.

I actually can have sex whenever it may start slow but once we start messing around it's all down hill from there

[CUBErt]

When you have a nice opiate supply, who gives a fuck about sex? (Pun intended) :p

Keep your husband in mind. Im not agreeing that he should overly-emphasize sex (as it seems he might be), but remember that while you are off having fun with your opiates and getting a nice nod, he is living a "normal" life where sex is a bit more important. Sex is often a great stress reliever and mental pick-me-up for those "normal" people who don't have opiates to do the same. I'm just saying keep your husband in mind because he is possibly feeling unimportant, etc if he thinks you don't fully love and appreciate him.

[jacky]

I noticed that when I was on kratom alone, I had a more active libido than when taking other types of opioids.
classic opiates seem to diminish my sex drive the most. perhaps endorphins like beta endorphin and morphine are released when we have sex. give the body the reward before, and why is it going to want to initiate the work?

I am facing the dilemma tonight myself.
it is time to perform.

when I have been smacked out for awhile I cannot even keep an erection for long periods, or even short periods of time.
but those days are over.
other classic opiates dont inhibit erection in me at least.
at least in controlled, daily doses.

[nick]

Sorry guys,but no real libido problems during 20 year heavy habit.I didn't really care one way or the other,but that's different.

[jacky]

I think for me its the problem of initiation, and tending to be a workaholic, and insomniac doesnt help.

if I am on a sane dose of opiates, that really doesnt increase or decrease much, then I have no problem with erection, control, or achieving orgasm. but still a moderate daily regimine or opiates curves sexual desire for me.

I havnt tried testosterone enhancers or anything.

I know that before me and my wife replaced alcohol with opiates, we had more sex, but I also know that we were on the road to screwing up our marriage as well, and we both had a wandering eye when drunk. and that was fine.
I really enjoy to a degree the curbing of sexual desire in certian areas of my life....no more obsessive masterbating.....more time for art/projects/goals. and now that I am a little more balanced in my life, and not getting drunk and trying to fuck 5-6 nights a week, I have actually been able to see projects or goals through.

I dont know who said it first, but opiates can introduce a bit more morality into ones life in a way, if that person is seeking to use opiates to create euphoria and happiness, and using opiates for pain relief and life enhancement.

but I have also seen opiates used for rape, and plunder, and for denying oneself feeling anything........
so really, its a mixed bag.

one thing I have found opiates good for is that I have some energy at the end of the night to give a needed back massage, or non sexual physical attention, or go on a walk or such. other forms of bonding.

sometimes I wonder if its even opiates that are causing a drop in sexual desire, perhaps its partly the 8 years that I have been with my other,a significant drop in endorphin release from touching and talking to my women?

one freind of mine calls it the three year hump. if you can get over it, then you can go for years.

I know one thing, the decrease in sexual desire on opiates in not as bad as what I have experienced on some antidepressants.

[geanine.aurora]

Unfortunately I do feel bad for my husband , for he has no idea that I am an addict and last night he told me we were married but were more like friends.

If your husband is verbalizing feelings like this it's very important to pay attention and find solutions and it sounds like you are trying to address the situation. I think many of the members had some great points and tips. I agree that it is going to be very important to keep in mind that for your husband sexual release is his only high. Sexual intimacy reinforces your existence as a couple and also meets a biological need. Your husband feels that for him being friends just won't cut it, so you will have to find a way to get this back into your marraige for it survive.
I would try wellbutrin, porn, viibrators, erotic literature,etc. to try to enhance desire. -Whatever used to interest you or things you had been curious aboout in the past, I would spend some time trying to activate some desire. It may take alot of time and effort to come and seem lees satisfying and certainly not wrth the effort. But remember, sexual pleasure is his gift for you and if he is able to genuinely please you that is much better.
Whether you are able to get interested or not it sounds like having a sex life with your husband is essential for him. As long as you accept that, it might be easier to just enjoy making him very happy in this way. If you are able to just get into making it a great thing for him you might start to enjoy it.
For me I have found that I have very little interest when I use and it's just too darn hard to come to be worth the effort. Fortunately I am currently in a relationship where this is not a problem. I am also on SNRI's. In the past when not on opiates or anti-depressants none of this was an issue.
This is a really difficult problem for most of us!

[Euphoricgirl]

Well, this turned into quite an interesting thread to say the least and I thank all of you for your opinions, for most of it was quite useful and quite true.
SuperJunky - Your post was quite long.... but I throughly enjoyed reading it and you made quite a few good points. But to the point of embarassing myself..not a problem with dryness or desire...it just getting the initial its time to have sex going....

When I am in withdrawal it seems that my libido does pick up, and when I am on opiates as most of you already know... almost nonexistant. I am not on any ssri's nor have I tried wellbutrin or any other anti-depressant. And yes, we have been married for 11 years, so I know that the desire does drop off as someone said "three year hump".. :-)

Jacky made some really good points, as most of the rest of you, SuperJunky thanks for the legwork I have some reading to do! I love my husband dearly, so if it takes lowering my dose, hitting w/d for a few days then so be it.. Was just hoping there was some type of "Miracle drug" or herb out there to help the process along.

Your all wonderful. Thank you.....AND CHRIS (Kid), its so good to see you back..Missed ya.

[Euphoricgirl]

Sorry guys,but no real libido problems during 20 year heavy habit.I didn't really care one way or the other,but that's different.


OH YEAH FORGET,,,, Thanks Nick. Nice way to rub it in you lucky bastard. ;)

[OxyContinuously]

If you wanna increase your sex drive and bring it back to normal: quit the drugs or do them less.

[HistoryofMadness]

part of how you look at your libido is based on the pressure you and others put on you. some folks saying 'my libido is fine' may think once a week, while others may think if you don't feel it daily something's wrong.

i have no idea what normal is.

anyway my pdoc said trazadone is one of the worst re libido because its one of those old-school anti-d's.

and i also noticed that kratom increased my libido. i'll take it a step further, though, because i didn't have a habit, and wasn't on wellbutrin, and the kratom alone increased my sex drive.

[Euphoricgirl]

part of how you look at your libido is based on the pressure you and others put on you. some folks saying 'my libido is fine' may think once a week, while others may think if you don't feel it daily something's wrong.

i have no idea what normal is.

anyway my pdoc said trazadone is one of the worst re libido because its one of those old-school anti-d's.

and i also noticed that kratom increased my libido. i'll take it a step further, though, because i didn't have a habit, and wasn't on wellbutrin, and the kratom alone increased my sex drive.

Thanks History. I have kratom here, only tried it once (had a bad run to po-tay)...so I will give it another shot...doesn't hurt right.

[SuperJunky]

And a very interesting link about pain, sex and brain chemistry. http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2003/painbrain.htm


But to the point of embarassing myself..not a problem with dryness or desire...it just getting the initial its time to have sex going....[/size]

When I am in withdrawal it seems that my libido does pick up, and when I am on opiates as most of you already know... almost nonexistant. I am not on any ssri's nor have I tried wellbutrin or any other anti-depressant. And yes, we have been married for 11 years, so I know that the desire does drop off as someone said "three year hump".. :-)

so if it takes lowering my dose, hitting w/d for a few days then so be it..


Thanks for answering some of the questions, I really apreciate it. I know one girl that had a problem w/ dryness when opiated. She could get going w/ a bit of work, but after a short go at it things kinda dried up. She wasnt the best example to use though, sexual abuse as a child and an abortion @ 12 kinda screwed her up a little bit. No period etc., usually regaurdless of opiate use.

Another article I was reading backed up what I had always thought, human touch - human contact, increases enorphin release. I personally would be completly satisfied if I could just get a little human touch going. I've found just spooning on the couch watching some tv to lessen WD... Yeah, I have some real psychological issues w/ these things. I'm probably getting a bit to personal but fuck it, its worth it if I can get some responses and increase mine and others understanding of how these things effect brain chemistry in relation to opiate use.

As for the link above I reread it this morning. From what I understand the study suggests that when woman have lower estrogen levels they're body releases less endorphins and there are less places for them to attatch. The study was small, and looked at mu-opiod receptors, but stil is interesting. Aparently estrogen levels are lowest at the begining of the menstral cycle, therefore less endorphins are released, causing the person to have less ability to deal w/ pain.

This is the most interesting paragraph:
This gender difference in pain response makes sense in light of what is already known about women and pain, says Zubieta, an associate professor of psychiatry and radiology at the U-M Medical School (http://www.med.umich/edu/medschool). "Women experience chronic pain syndromes more frequently, often in tandem with stress-related mood disorders, and they are also more sensitive to the effects of opiate drugs," he explains. "This may be due to a difference in their capacity to activate their pain-response systems when estrogen or progesterone are low."

I noticed that females needed less dope to get off, and I have even noticed that during the begining of there menstral cycle they seem to use more and get less effects. I know, its probably wierd that I keep track of these things but I really find it fascinating.

How many of you girls out there stop having a period after you've had a habit for a while? Anyone notice there drugs to be less affective during your period? What drugs are you on? Maybe we can find a difference in those on hydro/oxy/morph/fent etc.?


They did another pilot study in which woman had PET scans during the begining of thier menstral cycle when estrogen levels are lowest, and then during the sme part of the cycle but in another month after wearing an estrogen releasing patch to raise estrogen levels (but not other horamones) to higher levels. The number of available mu-opiod receptors in the parts of the brain that help control pain and stress were increased w/ higher estrogen levels, so was the ability to release endorphins.

I wonder if estrogen levels change as a result of WD and opiate use? I would assume so, seeing as some females stop having there period during opiate dependancy.

Any one ever been on provagil? Notice any affects on labido?

Sorry for yet another long post. Thanks for any responses and to any one thats still reading.

[Euphoricgirl]

To add to your comments...I had a hysterotomy almost 4 years ago...which is how I became dependant on the opiates....long story.... so being menapausal definately drops my levels to below the shit line and the opies on top of that I believes creates the phrase " What libido?".

[doctor diesel]

To add to your comments...I had a hysterotomy almost 4 years ago...which is how I became dependant on the opiates....long story.... so being menapausal definately drops my levels to below the shit line and the opies on top of that I believes creates the phrase " What libido?".

That's a shame, cos you look real sexy, what with those wings and that cheeky little sideways glance thing you do....


Doc D ;)

[Euphoricgirl]

Awwww. Doc...Thanks, way to make a girl smile.;)

[doctor diesel]

Awwww. Doc...Thanks, way to make a girl smile.;)



It's a pleasure, darlin'. I've always had a way with the ladies... despite my scary appearance!


Doc D:D

[AWOL]

Any solutions for libido?



two words: dv



(also try alcohol, as a second choice.)

[Euphoricgirl]

[quote=d v 1 3 1 3;85726]two words: dv



THATS IT! Yes..I knew there was a simple solution.;)