Florida Agenda

By Sam Knew, msw

We’ve all seen the movie where, after a night of wild lovemaking, they each light up a cigarette and reflect on their hours of sexual bliss (bliss optional). But believe it or not, with each drag you may be committing sexual suicide. Along with smoking there are a number of things men do to decrease or kill their own sex drive. Smoking, by far, may be one of the most common. One issue is all those toxins that build up in your system, which contributes to a lethargic feeling (that feeling of indifference and a loss in interest). This can occur after having just one cigarette.

Smoking can also damage the blood vessels in the penis, which restricts blood flow, in turn lowering the pressure of blood in the penis – making an erection more and more difficult.

But giving up the habit may come at another cost to your libido. Food often becomes a replacement for many who are quitting smoking; usually it is related to an oral fixation (yes, it’s okay to giggle). But the danger of packing on those pounds is another mood killer, especially along the waistline. Fat around the abdomen absorbs testosterone more efficiently than any other fat cells in the body. Testosterone is a steroid hormone and the principle male sex hormone. As it diminishes, so does your sex drive. But the problem doesn’t always originate at or below the waist.

Drugs such crystal meth at first can be a sexual magnifier, releasing 12 times the amount of dopamine (the pleasure chemical) to the brain. Eventually, however, the drug destroys the brain’s pleasure receptors, making it increasingly impossible to experience any type of pleasure. Other less suspecting drugs can have mood alternating effects as well, such as some prostate and HIV medications, antidepressants, blood pressure pills, antipsychotics and even some cholesterol lowering medicines. And, of course, what you’re washing these possible mood killers down with can accelerate the effects on your body. Combining these substances with alcohol can lead to additional – long term, and possible irreversible – damage. Alcohol alone, however, can also lead to sexual impotency. Though a glass or two may make you less inhibited, it also damages the nerves (including those in the penis), which leads to the inability to physically be aroused. Long-term alcohol abuse can make this a permanent effect.

Avoiding most the aforementioned substances may prove to be a challenge for some, especially if they have acted as your social lubricant. Learning to deal with your emotional/social barriers could have a bigger pay off in the end. This includes how we cope with the everyday stressors in our lives. Sex and stress are definitely linked. Not only does stress contribute to a low sex drive physiologically, under stress the body releases cortisol (a hormone) which inhibits other hormones – such as testosterone. The good news is that it seems to work the other way around, as well. Sex can be a great stress reliever – but of course your first move may have to be on yourself.

Sam Knew, MSW is an educator and a local counselor. He can be reached at samknewmsw@gmail.com

by Sam Knew, MSW

For years our biggest concern when it came to testosterone was related to tales of roid rage. After school specials warned us on the dangers of beefed-up gym bunnies going into uncontrollable fits, throwing people through walls, and of course, there was the additional fear of acne and a diminishing penis. But these days there seems to be more talk about the dangers of low testosterone, or “Low-T.” Testosterone is a steroid hormone. It’s the principal male sex hormone and it’s also responsible for healthy mental and physical development. Testosterone, along with a few other vital components, can make the difference between how lucky you feel, look and get.

As so many of us do, we try so hard to turn back the clock, but as we all come to learn “time is the one thing that does not forgive.” And it seems our bodies, at least internally, keep pretty good track of time. As we age, our production of testosterone decreases and our metabolism begins to slow down. That slowed metabolism encourages the production of fat cells in our body, producing aromatase, “which is responsible for converting testosterone into estrogen,” according to the Science Daily. Estrogen in small amounts actually has some benefits. However, with our already decreasing testosterone levels and continuing increasing estrogen levels, the results can be less than flattering.

Elevated estrogen levels are also correlated with heart attack, stroke, blood clot, diabetes, thyroid problems and even types of cancers, such as prostate and male breast cancer.

But, as I’ve stated many times, it really is all about the sex. The combination of Low-T, increased estrogen levels and an increase in body fat can have a detrimental effect on one’s sex drive. It’s known as “hypogonadism,” a decreased libido. Fortunately, the condition is treatable, and there are a variety of options.

Changes in your diet and exercise may do just the trick.  By decreasing the chances of fat cells transforming your already dimensioning testosterone hormones into estrogen you can derail the cycle. “This is especially true of fat around the abdomen, because belly fat absorbs testosterone more efficiently than any other fat cells in the body. To raise libido, the challenge is not so much to reduce weight as to reduce waist size” according to one MSN report. For those of us who are a little less disciplined, there are some medical options. Testosterone replacement therapies and anti-estrogen therapy are common medical treatments. Low testosterone treatments can be prescribed. One option is as an intramuscular injection, taken as needed (usually biweekly). There is also a patch or gel, which is placed on the skin. Each form of treatment has its risks and benefits.

And with benefits like a healthier heart, gut and sex life, you’ll feel better. Really … you’ll actually feel better. Testosterone levels may also influence the level of serotonin (a chemical that influences a variety of brain cells).   Increased serotonin levels could stimulate feelings of motivation or self-confidence – and what’s sexier than that?

Sam Knew, MSW is an educator and a local counselor. He can be reached at samknewmsw@gmail.com