POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: pradam on May 12, 2012, 06:07:20 am
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Hello, my boyfriend who is positive for more than two years switched his meds to Isen/Truvada about 5 months ago. Although we have experienced great improvement about his tiredness (he was using combivir and viread before) and also his digestive problems receded we have encountered new problem, he has completely lost his sexual appetite which is really bothering both of us as far as I'm 23 and he is 27. Also his numbers are really great: CD4 900 and VL undetected.
Have any of you encountered same problem? If so what kind of help would you recommend? I don't want him to take some more meds which will stimulate his sexappetite, more so i was thinking about some natural way how to fix that.
Thanx for any recommendations or experience!
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Hello Pradam,
Welcome. My suggestion would be, for your boyfriend to talk to his doctor about this.
It could be psychological ( perhaps depression) or it could be physical. ( low testosterone. << A blood test can determine this) It could be other issues.
But starting off and talking to the doctor ( and he shouldn't be shy about discussing these issues) would be the best bet.
http://i-base.info/guides/side/sexual-health
Ray
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I am on that combo and my desire remains the same as it was on other combos and as before I was HIV+.
I agree with the above, he should discuss this with a doctor. Maybe testosterone, maybe depression, maybe god knows what.
Is it just desire?
Does he still get erections? Does he masturbate? Has the morning wood disappeared? These are questions my doc asked when I thought I had erectile dysfunction. If he's got erectile dysfunction that should be investigated for cause, and solutions, as well. Sometimes it can be fixed by pills alone.
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mine has calmed down a tiny bit, but think its more of an age thing with me, but still pretty good. i agree that he should probably talk to his doctor so they can just run a couple of additional tests. At 23 he should be a walking sex machine, so possibly just a psychological thing going on.
mike
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Thanks for replies, well he is 27 and also he has discussed that with his doctor, but they just want to prescribe him some meds (for sexual arousal) and after all he's been through he has quite aversion to drugs. I was hoping that someone might have some advice how to fix it in some natural way, like some special herbal treatment or adjusting nutrition. He can get an erection, but he simple has no desire for sex.
Thanks for any advice!
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I saw your post and thought, "hey! that's happening to me!" I'm two years older than your bf, and sex is the last thing I care for since diagnosis.
I'm with the others, it's probably a mix of physical and psychological. My doctor tested my testosterone, which was low for a 65 year old. ??? I have since started androgel, and that has stimulated my nether regions a bit.
That being said, I have a hard time seeing myself fitting into sex any longer. It's weird, considering how much I used to like it... It's almost like borderline asexuality. I don't man watch, or even entertain the notion that other guys are checking me out.
There's a switch somewhere in there that's been flipped off. If anyone knows where it is, let me know! ;D
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I am unaware of any drug that raises desire. The drugs I was speaking of are for getting wood. Viagra, cialis. Obviously he doesn't need those, since he gets wood, but doesn't want sex.
Surely there are pyschological things to deal with here. I don't know any supplements or herbs that increase the desire for sex.
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There's a switch somewhere in there that's been flipped off. If anyone knows where it is, let me know! ;D
My fingers were trembling to hit the keyboard after reading your "...switch...flipped off..." comment and several "Bobo the Electrician" jokes came to mind. :D
I understand where you are coming from though.
I find now that my mind is not as cluttered with sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex (reduced now to sex, sex) I am able to concentrate of many other matters of substance. ;)
BTW: I love honey mustard on my french fries and chicken nuggets. :D
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I find now that my mind is not as cluttered with sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex (reduced now to sex, sex) I am able to concentrate of many other matters of substance. ;)
I hear ya.......Too much sex {{{{Blurs Your Vision}}} and the way you think about things, I only think about sex once or twice a month, and as long as I can still get wood ( witch I can) it's all good to me ;D
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I find now that my mind is not as cluttered with sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex (reduced now to sex, sex) I am able to concentrate of many other matters of substance. ;)
Now this I can agree with! Though, now my mind is cloudy with Atripla, so I traded one for another I think.
I only think about sex once or twice a month, and as long as I can still get wood ( witch I can) it's all good to me ;D
This is exactly where I'm at now, so I guess it's not asexuality.. just lower sex drive. When I do think about sex, it's all consuming. But seems more like a fantasy world, because I know I won't be getting any! At least I have my imagination! ;D
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Now this I can agree with! Though, now my mind is cloudy with Atripla, so I traded one for another I think.
This is exactly where I'm at now, so I guess it's not asexuality.. just lower sex drive. When I do think about sex, it's all consuming. But seems more like a fantasy world, because I know I won't be getting any! At least I have my imagination! ;D
I can assure you that there aren't many 55 to 60 yrs olds even older couples out there having a lot of sex, if they tell you they are don't believe em, they're lying.....with that being said, I would say your in the normal ;)
range
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I still have a great sex drive and according to my doc I have the testosterone level of a 25 year old but without the 25 yr old....just my luck..
I am not sure about all these herbal remedies you see hawked on tv when it comes to increasing sex drive and would talk to the doc first to make sure that they would not do more harm than good.
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den you're wrong on that i been to the clubs seen older guys than you mentioned get it up ,,,,lol hell some are more 4 it than i am ,,,,,,,shakes head
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den you're wrong on that i been to the clubs seen older guys than you mentioned get it up ,,,,lol hell some are more 4 it than i am ,,,,,,,shakes head
Honey, I haven't been to a gay bar in over 31 yrs. and the one & only gay man I've known in the past 20 yrs. is my otherhalf........so please don't take my word as fact, I've only been an out & proud gay man for less than 20 of those yrs. and my gaydar is broken beyond repair ;D whoever you are ::)
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Honey, I haven't been to a gay bar in over 31 yrs. and the one & only gay man I've known in the past 20 yrs. is my otherhalf........so please don't take my word as fact, I've only been an out & proud gay man for less than 20 of those yrs. and my gaydar is broken beyond repair ;D whoever you are ::)
If that's true then how can you effectively write this post (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=43313.msg535338#msg535338)?
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If that's true then how can you effectively write this post (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=43313.msg535338#msg535338)?
wouldn't you like to know, but you never will, so get over it dear :-*
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The last thing my 75 year old dad, riddled with cancer, did on his deathbed before slipping into a coma was draw my mother down for a long, passionate kiss and fondle her breasts.
I'm 46 and basically a horndog.
If there is a physiological issue, then that's something to get treated. But age in and of itself is no barrier to losing a sex drive, becoming conservative, losing your sense of wonder or whimsy, or dressing like a hobbit and going to the Rennaissance Faire.
YOU get to decide what happens to you. Might not be able to do too much about lines on your face or hair turning color, or turning loose. But you can pursue your happiness - even if that means reinventing yourself - as often as you want.
Just takes bravery. Maybe sometimes Viagra.
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But here's problem I have with many of these threads, and there have been MANY, if it's broken see a doctor and get it fixed, and aren't most of you a little to young to have ED issues are even need ED medication, I agree with what others have said ;)
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wouldn't you like to know, but you never will, so get over it dear :-*
If that's your way of admitting that your posts made absolutely no sense then I'll accept your admission. This happens when one insists on pissing in every corner of the room.
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If that's your way of admitting that your posts made absolutely no sense then I'll accept your admission. This happens when one insists on pissing in every corner of the room.
I can handle pissing in one room. It's the pissing in every room that bothers me.
Joe
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But here's problem I have with many of these threads, and there have been MANY, if it's broken see a doctor and get it fixed, and aren't most of you a little to young to have ED issues are even need ED medication, I agree with what others have said ;)
Doesn't that speak to the larger issue of premature aging and other issues that can impact people with HIV? Maybe a thirty or forty - something SHOULDNT need ED meds. But some, perhaps many do. And it's not "natural." It's an artifact of a virus targeting our immune system. Adding that fact to the meds which can cause physiological and psychological issues, stigma, and the like, it seems that pure and simple "aging" is not necessarily the first place someone might want to look when asking about a lowered sex drive.
What is NOT acceptable, IMHO, is the condescending notion of "just getting over/used to it," Screw that. I mean literally, screw that. I spent five years in a sexless relationship with a guy who simply didn't see sex as a priority and wouldn't go very far out of his way to help the situation. Messed with my head something awful. Won't go there again.
BTW I took a Viagra once. I'd likely do it again, but I enjoy poppers too much and somehow, though I realize that the best sex can be a selfish act, checking out beneath my guy might be perceived as TOO selfish a gesture.
Any landing you can walk away from.
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I took Viagra when it 1st came out 98/99 I was able to get some from my doctor @ the time, it gave my a very bad headache, and I gave the rest of it away, dunno it just wasn't for me, but it was something new, so I can't say I never took it before, I've never taken it again didn't feel the need for it :)
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Hey Pradham ,
Been POZ for many years !
Longer than you have been alive .
I have been on MEDS from sept. 2005
SEX is the last thing I care about .
You guys are way too young to deal with no sex !
I was a Horn ~ Dog when I was young , as it should be !
Please ask your Doc. to FIX the issue !
Be well , Have SEX :-*
Carl
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But here's problem I have with many of these threads, and there have been MANY, if it's broken see a doctor and get it fixed, and aren't most of you a little to young to have ED issues are even need ED medication, I agree with what others have said ;)
Sometimes you should think before you post. My Stephen has ED because his neuropathy is so severe that he can't get wood without some chemical assistance. So what do you propose we do, become celibate? Just because an issue doesn't involve you, or you think that it's simply not important, is not a reason to dismiss the ideas of others, or worse minimize their concerns.
It's what I find so frustrating about many of your posts. You come into a thread, where you have no experience with the topic and drop your opinions as if they were mana from heaven. It's really tiresome and I wish you would stop doing it. And before you go postal on me, trust me, I'm only saying what many others are thinking.
Joe
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Big sister Joe, now you know I wouldn't go postal on you or anyone in this forum and and I'm not dismissing anyone ideas here, come now, you know I wouldn't do that , my other-half has them too, he has blockage and he's a heart patent, and he's been one for the last 11yrs. so I do know about ED issues ;)
heck I'm 55+ and sometimes, I have them, but it doesn't bother me, my horn-dog days or long over, and both bob & I do whatever we feel like doing, most of the time
we don't even want sex w/ each, @ least not as much as we used to, but were ok, with this, we have have to be (he cannot take ED meds) and I don't much care for em' ;)
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You come into a thread, where you have no experience with the topic and drop your opinions as if they were mana from heaven. It's really tiresome and I wish you would stop doing it.
(http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af197/bedstuy65/dog-peeing-on-espn-com.jpg)
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ahh for me, what a cute puppy :) Thanks miss P it too cute ;)
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ahh for me, what a cute puppy :) Thanks miss P it too cute ;)
Nah, this is more appropriate
(http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz42/livebythemoon/4b0ece85.jpg)
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Yes it is Rev. Moon Thank you and good nite, what would I do without all of you ;)
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what would I do without all of you ;)
Maybe you feel the need to break out into song (http://youtu.be/fnrmE1Zd0yQ)
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Pradam,
What was his libido like before the med switch? Was his desire very strong, wanting sex a lot? Or, wanting sex once a week? I'm just curious whether this has been something happening for a while since his diagnosis and just seemed to happen after the med switch? Or, whether you can clearly point to the med switch? If that's the case, it would make one think the med switch has something to do with it, especially being able to get an erection. I'm not on meds, but I have read enough stories about how stressful the decision was to switch regimens (on top of the issues being poz), so perhaps it is a psychological issue happening and not necessarily due to a med side-effect. How is he dealing with his poz status?
I don't know of any alternative supplements that are safe and effective. I've heard some say role playing or watching porn helped. Or, getting away from the day to day home stuff like laundry, dishes, and bill paying. This is what my partner and I are trying to do. He's neg, but has low desire. So, the garage has been a different location for us. And, the backyard at night. Definitely take the advice about seeing a doc or therapist if necessary, and perhaps try changing the sex routine. Who knows, it may help. In any event, I hope things improve.
Modified to correct member name.
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I was on the Isentress/Truvada combo a couple of years ago for a study and the only side effect I reported was the same thing your bf seems to be experiencing -- a total lack of interest in sex.
I'm no prude and I normally have a very active sex life. But for the months I was on those drugs, I was just not interested. And people noticed :) After the trial ended, I pretty quickly regained interest again.
I've had sexual side effects from anti-depressants as well, but those have been more mechanical (either unable to sustain an erection or unable to reach orgasm) than the complete lack of interest.
Of course this is all anecdotal and I don't know anyone else who has experienced this. Just my 2 cents.
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as to mention about getting a up at a older age , after i seen what i seen what you all wrote , i didn't notice this was a sensible issue ,,,,,lol