Question:
What has anyone done about low libido following WLS?
I've seen other posts from ladies who had lowered libido after WLS. Well, I guess it's happening to me now, although I suppose it could be due to my age as well (46) and declining hormones. Has anyone found anything that is helpful to get it back to normal? And do you attribute the lower libido to WLS? This is really bugging me - I need the female version of Viagra! Any help or suggestions you can offer would be welcome. Thanks. — Carlita (posted on March 15, 2004)
March 15, 2004
I just waited it out (sigh...). Took about 14 months for it to come back.
Gyno said that it was due to an imbalance in hormones caused by rapid
weight-loss (hormones are stored in fat and released when you lose). He
said I COULD try taking meds to balance them out, but we'd have to
constantly jiggle the amounts to keep them in balance and that it was just
healthier in the long run to let it run it's course. I was 34/35 at the
time. I'd suggest you ask your gyn if you have one :-) Good luck!
— [Deactivated Member]
March 15, 2004
I haven't had sex with my husband but maybe 6 times since surgery 18 mos
ago, may have something to do with my change in my libdo or maybe I can
chalk it up to not being in love with my hubby anymore. Who knows. I know
this surgey changes everything about us, EVERYHTING!!!
— heathercross
March 15, 2004
My libido has increased greatly since I had WLS. I think it may affect
everyone differnely. No Problems with my libido.
— Just P
March 15, 2004
Short Answer: KY Jelly <p>That's not going to increase your libido,
but it will make things easier on both you and your husband until your
hormones level out. <p>I never had the problem with low libido after
surgery (always felt frisky, but didn't have a partner! until 2 years
afterward!). But it's not fair to deny your husband just because you don't
feel frisky. So try the jelly until you get back into the "feel"
of it.
— artistmama
March 15, 2004
Brenda: Believe me, my hubby isn't suffering. My motto lately has been
"if at first you don't succeed, try, try again!!" It's great for
him - I'm just not feeling much of anything. In my mind, I'm raring to go
- the body is just not cooperating.
— Carlita
March 15, 2004
I don't know if this will help, but my hubby and I got a wonderful book.
It is called The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. It has done wonders
for our love life both in the bedroom and out. It is well worth the $13
dollars at www.buy.com Later-Tab
— Tab F.
March 15, 2004
WHOA WHOA WHOA...just a quick comment, I'm not flaming, so don't yell at
me. I just had a problem with one answer that said it wasn't fair for her
to deprive her husband...I don't think it is very fair for her to have to
fake it, she is asking for a real solution here, and I am sorry...men's
penises will not fall off if they are not inserted into a female orifice
every couple of days. Forget doing it to appease your hubby, do it for
yourself.
It disgusts me that in the 21st Century, we still have this concept of
"wifely duties." That's my two cents. Take care of you, and all
my wishes for a great sex life for YOU and your hubby.
— Erinn D.
March 15, 2004
The first 6-7 months after my surgery I wanted it all the time. I couldn't
get enough. Then all of a sudden one day, boom, no interest what so ever.
I'm now a year post op and still have no interest and my Doc has put me on
welbutran. I guess it's an antidepressant, but it's suposed to help with
my sex drive? Good luck!!
— Jodie S.
March 15, 2004
If you are taking an anti-depressant like prozac, zoloft, effexor, celexa,
etc, that can really drop your libido. Wellbutrin could help - it really
helped me. I think the KY Jelly is probably the way to go. You can order a
variety of lubricants on-line, too. Xandria is one company that sells them.
— Kim A.
March 15, 2004
Hi!
I am also 46, and a little over two years post-op. Before surgery, my
husband and I were always hot for each other, but after the surgery, even
though I wanted that feeling back, I couldn't seem to get anywhere. My body
did not crave sex at all!!
Finally my doctor put me on Wellbutrin XL, and after about 5 weeks of
taking my once a day tablet, BOOM! I am back to the old me!! My husband and
I have been sneaking around, making out with each other everytime our son
is not looking, and we are having the time of our life! It may not work for
everyone, but it sure helped me!
— T. 263
March 15, 2004
Yes! The change is unbelievable. It's like someone just turned off the
light switch. Gone, done, dead. I'll be three years out in August, so I
don't think it's coming back. My doc has run all kinds of tests but can't
find anything. I've tried testosterone cream (helped some, but made my
anxiety level go through the roof so had to quit) and a bunch of herbal
remedies to no avail. At 42, I'm beginning to wonder if its perimenopause.
I just started a new herb that's suppose to balance out your hormones
naturally, so I'll let you know if it helps.
— mom2jtx3
March 15, 2004
Thank you to all who responded here. I wish the responses were more
optimistic. Does anyone else find it totally unacceptable that there are
not better answers for this? I mean here it is, 2004, and medical science
can do so many amazing things, you'd think they could come up with
something for this. Maybe they aren't trying hard enough!! The pharma
companies are sure making a bundle on Viagra and Cialis, why can't they
also come up with something for us gals?
— Carlita
March 24, 2004
I am 41 and 3 yrs post op and am struggling w/the same prob. I stopped
menstruating sev mos post op and sev drs told me it IS hormone and WLS
related. I started working w/my gyno until I lost my ins and have been in
limbo ever since. Unfortunately while someone I saw said let it run its
course, I am still waiting. So I would also like to know what others have
done also.
— Patti R.
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