Homopathic Hormones: A Jump-Start For Your Libido
Dear Dr. Patti:
I seem to have lost my sex drive after our kids were born. I went to the doctor three weeks ago and had my hormones tested after watching an Oprah Winfrey show where someone recommended a doctor-prescribed cream which, when applied to the genitals, increased her sex drive. The cream is 2 percent testosterone and supposedly has no side effects except an increased sex drive. What would you suggest?
T
Question:Dear T:
I heard about that Oprah show, and it has caused quite a stir. This show dealt with the use of testosterone as a supplement for women to enhance their sex drive, I believe. I did not see it, so I cannot be specific. But here's what we know about this issue so far.
After giving birth to a new child, a woman's sexual drive wanes. This often continues for several weeks, or even months, as a component of the postpartum depression and the energy drain that occurs with getting her own body back into a healthful state ... and from just plain having kids! If that's the situation, then plenty of rest and making quality time together for sex may be your answer. I often suggest a weekly sex date for my clients who are couples who need to get the spark back.
There is a product that I recommend, Vigorex Forte for men and Vigorex Femme for women. You can call 1-800-541-2968 and order it from them. Tell them I sent you. It is a natural homeopathic compound, made from green oats. It's perfectly safe and works to unlock your own testosterone (yes, women make it too), so that it can produce its natural results ... increased sexual drive, overall better energy and sexual enhancement in terms of sensations, erections, lubrication and orgasms. It's quite the stuff!! It costs about a dollar a day. You should start with that. Take one or two a day for about 10 days and see if that creates a difference.
Also, this Oprah show centered on the new wave of treatment for low sexual desire: testosterone supplementation for women. Usually we hear about testosterone supplementation for men, so this is a giant step forward for our sex.
And I don't know if this applies to you, but women going through menopause can ask their gynecologists about Hormone Replacement Therapy. There is a combo pill called Estratest which has estrogen (estradiol) and testosterone in it. Women only need minute amounts of supplemental testosterone in order to feel the effect. In fact, women need to be aware of the virilizing effects of using this hormone -- such as hair growth, edgeiness and deepening of the voice, along with increased muscle mass. These are the things that make a man manly, and most women want to avoid such results. Also, taking orals of testosterone can cause liver damage and higher blood pressure. That's why the topical approach -- such as a 2 percent patch -- is good, except for the usual hair growth around the application site.
So, I suggest that you contact your gynecologist and ask him/her to get up to speed with the newest drugs for women. There's also an excellent book called "The Hormone of Desire," by Susan Rako. M.D. It has all the data and guidance on this supplementation for women, including pharmaceutical sources, types of supplements available, their side effects and recommended dosages.
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