Low Libido Treatment in Dubai: When to See a Doctor
Book Consultation
Dr. Felix Lucian Happich
MD, MHBA
In short
Overview
Low desire is treated by finding what is causing it. That sounds obvious, and it is the step most often skipped in favour of a hormone.
Direct Answer
In men, four hormones are worth measuring: testosterone, prolactin, thyroid function and oestradiol. Testosterone improves desire reliably where deficiency is confirmed, and not at all where it is normal.
In women, hormone levels correlate poorly with sexual function in most studies. What predicts it best in midlife is the relationship, physical and psychological health, and fatigue.
In both, medication is a leading cause. SSRIs above all.
Who This Applies To
The causes, which mostly have specific treatments
| Medication | SSRIs most commonly. Also antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, opioids, antiandrogens and prostate drugs |
| Depression | A leading cause in both sexes |
| Hormonal | Low testosterone in men. Raised prolactin or thyroid disease in either sex |
| Pain | In women, sexual pain frequently causes low desire rather than following it |
| Fatigue and stress | Under studied and major. The improvement in sexual interest on holiday says a great deal |
| The relationship | The strongest predictor in midlife, above hormones |
Option Comparison / Decision Criteria
Testosterone in men with normal levels
Routine testosterone in women
Systemic DHEA in people without adrenal insufficiency
Compounded hormone mixtures and saliva hormone testing
Why an In-Person Physician Review Matters
Sequence matters Treating one problem often improves another.
In a woman with painful sex after menopause and low desire, the pain is treated first and the desire reassessed afterwards. It frequently resolves. In a man with both erectile dysfunction and low desire, whichever came first is the one to treat. Non drug treatment comes first All current drug treatments for female sexual dysfunction, other than the approved treatments for vaginal atrophy, have limited efficacy and carry side effects. A consultation with a sex therapist is generally considered a prerequisite before trying drug treatment. It works: 65 per cent of 365 couples treated for a range of sexual dysfunctions described the treatment as successful. The antidepressant tension SSRIs are the most common medication cause of low libido, and they are also treating the depression that itself lowers desire. There are specific strategies for this, including changing antidepressant. Stopping without a plan is not one of them. The mismatch that is not a disorder If you are content with your own level of interest and the distress comes from a difference with a partner, that is a relationship problem rather than your sexual dysfunction, and couples counselling manages it effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
In men with confirmed deficiency, reliably. In men with normal levels, no. In women it is not recommended routinely: trials showed about one extra satisfying sexual event in four weeks, and gel trials found no effect at all.
In men: testosterone, prolactin, thyroid stimulating hormone and oestradiol. Measuring testosterone alone misses the other three. In women, levels correlate poorly with function, so a short targeted set is used rather than a broad panel.
SSRIs are the most common medication cause in both sexes. There are specific strategies for managing this, including switching antidepressant, and they are worth discussing rather than stopping on your own.
Very. In women, sexual pain frequently causes the loss of desire rather than resulting from it. Treating the pain first often restores the desire without anything else being needed.
Evidence
Where this information comes from
Every figure on this page is taken from the sources below. All of them are free to read, so you can check them yourself.
This page is general medical information and does not replace a personal consultation. Trial results are averages across large groups, not a prediction for any one person.