We advise you how to increase libido and sexual desire

The new science of libido

The male sex drive is largely influenced by testosterone. The more testosterone you have, the more likely you are to become aroused at the slightest sexual thought or a fleeting glance at a thigh or the outline of a breast. However, according to a study presented at a meeting of urologists in Boston, total testosterone appears to have little to do with male libido. Instead of the oft-mentioned testosterone, it's free testosterone and, surprisingly, the ratio between testosterone and estradiol that determines your libido.

What does the study say?

Researchers had 200 patients at a cardiology practice complete a series of questionnaires about erectile dysfunction, including the IIEF-15 questionnaire, which together provide a pretty decent picture of male libido. It's worth noting that none of the men had a history of diagnosed hypogonadism (low testosterone) and none were taking medications that could affect testosterone levels. The researchers then measured the patients' total testosterone, estradiol, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and free testosterone and compared them to their reported libido.

It turned out they found no association between total testosterone and how often (or how rarely) the men wanted to do it. Nor did estradiol levels correlate independently with sexual desire, even when levels were below 5 ng/dl. This last discovery is significant because it was assumed that men were more likely to have a healthy libido if their estradiol was at an "ideal point" between 2.0 and 5.5 ng/dl.

What was related to libido, however, was the ratio of testosterone to estradiol, along with free testosterone, i.e., the percentage of testosterone that is not chemically bound to SHBG. The higher the free T, the greater the sex drive is likely to be!

What does this mean for us?

Men with low libido or poor sexual function often undergo testosterone replacement therapy or pro-testosterone supplements. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but when it doesn't work, it's usually because of one of two things, which this study clearly confirms:

Too much SHBG (which leads to low free testosterone levels). High estrogen levels (disrupting the testosterone to estrogen ratio). The study didn't tell us what the ideal level of free testosterone is, or the exact T:E ratio we'd want for an "optimal" sex drive, which would be hard to define anyway. Still, it does give us some clues as to what we should do.

For example, if you are experiencing symptoms of low testosterone (depression, weight gain, inability to put on muscle, decreased sex drive or performance) or symptoms of high estrogen (increased abdominal fat, fatty tissue around the nipples, erectile dysfunction, or loss of libido), you might consider seeking out a progressive doctor and having your SHBG and estrogen levels tested (along with free T, of course), using a so-called sensitive test.

If you don't ask for a "sensitive test", they will measure your estradiol the same way they would if you were a ballerina suffering from menstrual problems. In other words, the results will be basically useless.

Your next option would be to experiment with using dietary practices and supplements to manipulate your SHBG and estradiol levels.

How to lower SHBG and/or increase free testosterone

1. Take magnesium daily to increase free testosterone.
2. Take zinc daily to reduce SHBG.
3. Take vitamin D3 daily to reduce SHBG.
4. Do not underestimate carbohydrates. A diet low in carbohydrates increases SHBG while decreasing testosterone.
5. Don't overdo it with alcohol to keep testosterone levels from dropping.

How to lower estradiol levels

1. Get rid of excess fat. Fat contains an enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen.
2. Eat plenty of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. They contain a chemical that "fights" estrogen.
3. Take curcumin. It reduces the effects of the enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen.
4. Take resveratrol, which reduces the activity of this estrogen-converting enzyme.
5. Don't age. The older you get, the more estrogenic you are. (Okay, if you insist on aging, then at least implement the above tips).

Study by Gupta N et al. Calculated Free T and T:E Ratio but not Total Testosterone and Estradiol Predict Low Libido. AUA Annual Meeting. May 12-16, 2017, Boston.

Source: T-Nation.com/by TC Luoma