When Do You See A Doctor For Low Libido?

So when should you see a doctor about your sex drive concerns? These guidelines listed below can help you decide.

If You’re Experiencing These Symptoms

Libido issues can come from a variety of things such as stress or a man’s testosterone levels.  Physicians now have a validated questionnaire called the ADAM questionnaire that they use to help evaluate patients if they suspect a testosterone deficiency.

ADAM stands for “androgen deficiency in the aging male.” If you answer “yes” to question 1 or question 7, or if you answer “yes” to 3 or more of the questionnaire’s criteria, this may be an indication that a hormone deficiency is to blame.

Here are those criteria:

1.  Do you have a decrease in libido or sex drive.
2. Do you have a lack of energy?
3. Do you have a decrease in strength and/or endurance?
4. Have you lost height?
5. Have you noticed a decreased “enjoyment of life”?
6. Are you sad and/or grumpy?
7. Are your erections less strong?
8. Have you noticed a recent deterioration in your ability to play sports?
9. Are you falling asleep after dinner?
10. Has there been a recent decline in your work performance?

If Your Sex Drive Drops Suddenly

There is no such thing as a “normal” sex drive.  Some men seem to need sex or sexual release every day, while others aren’t bothered by less.  Whatever your baseline, if your libido falls abruptly and doesn’t recover within a couple weeks, you should let your doctor know.  If you have a sudden drop-off in how you normally feel, that is not normal.

If You’re Considering Popping Pills

A lot of men are quick to throw over-the-counter pills or supplements at their libido issues.  They assume that, because it’s over-the-counter, these supplements are safe; and that is simply not true.  The U.S. consumer supplement market, is largely unregulated . If you’re shopping for testosterone supplements online, you could end up doing more harm than good.  If you don’t feel normal, talk to a health care professional rather than turning to Dr. Google or over-the-counter supplements. 

Where Does Your ED Rank

If you are curious to see just how severe your erectile dysfunction is, this sexual health inventory for men (SHIM) questionnaire will help your physician determine your treatment options.  To be able to truly explore all of your options it is best to be seen by a physician that specializes in men’s health.  

For each question, note your answer by circling the number that approximates your belief.  Add your numbers together for all the questions answered and refer to the table below to see what your score may mean.

Over the past six months . . . 

1) How do you rate your confidence that you could get and keep an erection?

1. Very low (1 point)
2. Low (2 points)
3. Moderate (3 points)
4. High (4 points)
5. Very high (5 points)

2) When you had erections with sexual stimulation, how often were your erections hard enough for penetration (entering your partner)?

1. No Sexual Activity (0 points)
2. Almost never or never (1 point)
3. A few times (much less than half the time) (2 points)
4. Sometimes (about half the time) (4 points)
5. Most times (much more than half the time) (4 points)
6. Almost always or always (5 points)

3) During sexual intercourse, how often were you able to maintain your erection after you had penetrated (entered) your partner?

1.  Did not attempt intercourse  (0 points)
2. Almost never or never  (1 point)
3. A few times (much less than half the time)  (2 points)
4. Sometimes (about half the time)  (3 points)
5. Most times (much more than half the time)  (4 points)
6. Almost always or always (5 points)

4) During sexual intercourse, how difficult was it to maintain your erection to completion of intercourse?

1.  Did not attempt intercourse  (0 points)
2. Extremely difficult (1 point)
3. Very difficult (2 points)
4. Difficult (3 points)
5. Slightly difficult (4 points)
6. Not difficult (5 points)

5) When you attempted sexual intercourse, how often was it satisfactory for you?

1.  Did not attempt intercourse (0 points)
2. Almost never or never (1 point)
3. A few times (much less than half the time) (2 points)
4. Sometimes (about half the time)  (3 points)
5. Most times (much more than half the time) (4 points)
6. Almost always or always (5 points)

Total: _______________

SHIM Scores	You may have . . .
1-7	Severe ED
8-11	Moderate ED
12-16	Mild to Moderate ED
17-21	Mild ED
22-25	No signs of ED

Optimizing Your Testosterone

Testosterone replacement therapy can significantly improve your sex drive while improving the quality and frequency of your erections.  Testosterone is undeniably the most powerful male sex hormone and many male sexual issues can be reversed through a well tailored testosterone regimen.  

Its Up To You

It is critical that you find a well-trained physician that will know how to decipher all the information you are now equipped with. 

Symptoms and blood panels must be taken into account before dispensing any medications to patients.