Full text excerpt of The Smart Guide to Better Sex: Chapter 4

The Smart Guide to Better Sex
From Andro to Zinc
Supplements and Herbs to Fire Up Your Sex Life

By John Morgenthaler and Mia Simms
$9.95 - 128 pages, softcover
[Buy This Book]

Back to Table of Contents
Next Section

Chapter 4

Natural Hormones for a Sexual Edge

Hormones are chemical messengers that travel throughout the blood stream, regulating and initiating many physiological processes. Most hormones, including testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, growth hormone, DHEA and melatonin, reach peak levels before or during the third decade of life. These then begin to decline.

The drop in melatonin, DHEA and growth hormone is especially precipitous. The good news is that many of the herbs and supplements discussed in this book can nutritionally support the sex hormones well into the golden years. Better yet, natural hormone therapy can be a tremendous boon to those seeking sexual fulfillment at any age.

How to Revive a Lagging Sex Life

Research now clearly indicates that adequate replacement of these important hormones can effectively revive a lagging sex life. Other positive effects of hormone replacement include enhanced cardiovascular health, improved mental alertness, stronger bones and an overall happier disposition. We are just beginning to understand the many health benefits that can be experienced by restoring hormones to their youthful peak level.

Most hormones are produced by the endocrine glands, which secrete the hormone directly into the blood stream. Some of the familiar sex hormones include the estrogens (estriol, estrone and estradiol) and progesterone. These are produced primarily by the ovaries in females and to a lesser extent by the adrenals and testes in males. Testosterone is manufactured in the testes of men and adrenal glands and ovaries of women. Thyroid hormone, from the thyroid gland, is also important for healthy sexual functioning. However, it is important to realize that the entire hormonal cascade begins in the hypothalamus.

Hypothalamus:
King of the Sex Glands

Sexual chemistry really does begin in the brain. The hypothalamus, also referred to as the master gland, is the main control center for all of the hormones that involve libido. The hypothalamus mediates sex drive as well as many other complex functions, such as feelings of excitement, pleasure, fear, anger, anxiety, hunger and thirst. It even regulates body temperature.

As it regulates the release of brain hormones responsible for libido, the hypothalamus can also be said to control the production of all sex hormones. Thus, even though the organs of secretion are located in different areas of the body, this master gland sits at the helm and directs the show. It all begins with the arcuate nucleus, which is located inside of the master gland and secretes the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GRH).

Pituitary —
Queen of the Sex Glands

GRH trickles down to the pituitary, which is the pea-sized gland located just inches behind the bridge of the nose. The pituitary manufactures many different hormones, including those that involve libido and potency. In response to GRH, the pituitary releases luteinizing hormone (LH) which flows to the testicles in men and stimulates the production of testosterone.

Healthy, virile men produce about 7 mg of testosterone a day. In women, LH flows to the ovaries and adrenal glands, where it stimulates a much smaller quantity of testosterone production, about 0.3 mg per day. Testosterone is the primary sex hormone under the control of the hypothalamus and the pituitary glands.

The pituitary gland also secretes follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in both sexes. In women it governs reproduction and the menstrual cycle, while in men the same hormone triggers the testicles to make sperm. FSH may have little effect on libido; however, it is essential to overall potency. The hormone cascade is, of course, a much bigger story than this; however, this snapshot summary provides the necessary background information for the rest of this chapter.

Testosterone

Accused of everything from sex to violence and rock and roll, testosterone is perhaps the most misunderstood hormone of all. Generally recognized as vital for libido, this important hormone offers a number of benefits to both men and women. While it obviously governs sexual desire and behavior, testosterone also helps build and maintain healthy body tissues, including lean muscle and bone. Adequate levels are also associated with cardiovascular health, mental alertness and even overall well-being.

How Low Levels Can Wreak Havoc

Low testosterone levels can reduce libido and even cause a total loss of interest in sex. But they affect more than just your sex life. Below-normal levels of this important hormone have been linked with a number of cardiovascular risk factors, including high cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, hypertension, angina pectoris, atherosclerosis, diabetes, high body mass index (obesity), abdominal fat and an increased tendency to blood clotting.

Several studies published since the 1980s have repeatedly confirmed that, as testosterone levels fall due to age or disease, HDL ("good") cholesterol falls while triglycerides (a dangerous form of fat) rise. In a review of studies on the androgen-lipid relationship, a leading American medical authority on this subject, Elizabeth Barrett-Connor, M.D., of the University of California, San Diego, reported that every major study (of at least 100 men) found a positive association between testosterone and HDL cholesterol levels. She concluded that "Adult men with high normal concentrations of endogenous testosterone have more favorable levels of several major heart disease risk factors, including HDL cholesterol, a more suitable fat pattern and lower glucose and insulin levels than do men with low testosterone concentrations."

Low Testosterone
Wastes Bones

Although people often associate osteoporosis with female menopause, aging men are also very vulnerable. In fact, the death rate among men after an osteoporosis-related hip fracture is three times that of women. However, men do not suffer the consequences of this bone-wasting disease until much later in life, simply because men start out with thicker, stronger bones.

In one study, 49 elderly men living on their own were compared with a similar group of men living in nursing homes. The researchers found that bone density was 4 to 20 percent higher among the free-living men than among the institutionalized men. Furthermore, 59 percent of the men with hip fractures had low testosterone levels, compared with only 18 percent of those whose hips were intact. In another study, 68 percent of men with hip fractures were found to have below normal testosterone levels.

The Mood Hormone

Several studies have also shown the importance of testosterone to overall well-being. For example, a study conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles, monitored the mood and emotional status of 54 men with low testosterone levels. The men were generally anxious, irritable and angry, and they expressed a number of negative emotions. They were then given enough testosterone to raise their levels to normal. The results? Their emotions became more positive, and the men reported feeling friendlier and happier.

It is important to remember that emotional negativity may be due to factors other than low testosterone. Other possible causes might include stress, depression or substance abuse, for which testosterone supplementation is clearly not the answer. The best approach is to have a complete blood panel performed, including free and total testosterone levels. If these are low, a replacement therapy program would be appropriate under the supervision of a knowledgeable physician.

Testosterone for Better Health

Increasing testosterone levels with natural testosterone has been shown to have a number of important health benefits. It can help lower many of the risk factors associated with heart disease, including high cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose levels, abdominal fat and the tendency of blood to clot. Testosterone also helps build strong bones, a fact which is often overlooked.

Raising testosterone levels can also improve muscle mass and strength. In a study conducted more than 40 years ago, men who boosted their testosterone levels by taking testosterone esters (synthetic analogues) gained an average of 1.7 kg, a substantial portion of which was new lean muscle mass.

A more recent study conducted at the Harvard Medical School showed a similar effect. A group of men (average age 58 years) who had low testosterone levels were given injections of a testosterone-boosting drug. The researchers measured their bone density, lean body mass and percent body fat before, during and after testosterone replacement. The results indicated that raising testosterone levels for up to 18 months was associated with a 7 percent increase in lean body mass, 14 percent decrease in body fat and a 5 percent increase in spinal bone density.

Reviving Libido with Testosterone

If we consider libido as the engine of sexuality, testosterone is the primary fuel that generates it. It is well documented that men who have low testosterone levels due to either a congenital defect, illness, drug use, trauma or aging, have low sex drives. Eunuchs (castrated men) were well known for their ability to remain unaroused, even in the presence of sexually attractive females.

But can raising testosterone levels restore a sex drive that is virtually nonexistent? The answer is a resounding yes. The ability of testosterone to ignite the sexual interest of men whose flame has long since gone out has been demonstrated in many studies, some dating as far back as the 1930s.

The application of natural testosterone patches (eg, Androderm®, Testoderm®) recently demonstrated the ability to increase sexual desire to similar levels as injections of testosterone esters. This is important because testosterone patch products* can boost testosterone to levels that are comparable to those normally produced by the body, whereas testosterone ester injections cause a long-lasting, unnatural increase in testosterone levels.

In one testosterone patch study, testosterone-deficient men aged 21 to 65 years rated their sexual desire, first during three weeks of testosterone enanthate treatment, then during eight weeks of no testosterone (androgen withdrawal) and finally during 12 months using the testosterone patch. The results showed that during the period of androgen withdrawal, sexual arousal and desire declined significantly. With daily application of the testosterone patch, libido returned and remained elevated throughout the remaining 12 months of the study.

Overcoming Impotence

Impotence, which typically occurs in men ages 40 years and beyond, may be helped with testosterone supplements; however, only if the impotence is due to low testosterone levels. Achieving and maintaining an erection is an extremely complex matter, as it involves not just hormones, but several other factors: cognitive (eg, sexual thoughts, fantasies, and mood), cardiovascular and nervous system functions all come into play, as do overall health and energy, stress and drug or alcohol use.

When erectile problems are associated with a testosterone deficiency, boosting testosterone levels can be especially effective. Typical of the research in this area was a small double-blind study in which six men, aged 32 to 65 years, who had been suffering the consequences/symptoms of low testosterone levels for the previous five months (at least), were administered either the long-acting injectable testosterone enanthate, or a placebo, on a monthy basis.

Testosterone enanthate raises and maintains testosterone concentrations to unnaturally high levels. Throughout the course of the study, the men recorded their sexual activity and experiences in a daily log. The study found that raising testosterone levels resulted in large, dose-dependent increases in total erections, nocturnal (sleep) erections, coital attempts, masturbation and orgasms. The authors were impressed with the "rapidity with which the administration of testosterone was followed by the stimulation of sexual activity ... the latency being measured in days rather than weeks."

The effects of the newer, natural testosterone patches is particularly intriguing. In one study, the average number of erections per week increased from 2.3 to 7.8 during testosterone treatment. The researchers also noted significant increases in the duration of erections, as well as in the erectile index, a standard measure of average penile rigidity.

Testosterone for Women

Though it may seem surprising, testosterone increases libido in women, leading them to feel and behave in a more sexual manner. Scientists were once puzzled by the need for females to produce testosterone. Numerous studies have since shown that this hormone is as essential for women as it is for men, only in smaller quantities.

Although estrogen (the primary female sex hormone) has some libido-enhancing effects, studies show that testosterone is usually much more effective. In fact, scientists discovered this about a half century ago. In 1950, researchers compared the effects of estrogen to testosterone in menopausal women. Women who were administered synthetic methyl testosterone increased their libidinous drive by 65 percent, while those who received synthetic estrogen increased it by only 12 percent.

More recent studies on the sexual effects of testosterone show that women receiving the hormone notice an increase in libido, sexual fantasies, levels of sexual arousal and frequency of sexual intercourse. Since most of these studies involved synthetic forms of testosterone, results with the natural hormone should be considered comparable — and safer.

Jonathan Wright, M.D., who regularly prescribes natural testosterone to women, sums it up best when he says, "While testosterone is probably not the answer to all [female] sexual problems, it seems to work well for a large number of postmenopausal women who thought a joyful and satisfying sex life was only a distant memory of youth."

In his book, Natural Hormone Replacement for Women over 45, Dr. Wright reminds us that natural testosterone therapy has many of the same health-promoting effects for women as it does for men. It enhances bone strength, can be effective in preventing and reversing osteoporosis and heart disease, can improve mental alertness and well-being, and revive a lagging sex life.

Progesterone — A Rising Star

With so much emphasis on testosterone as the libido hormone, the valuable aspects of progesterone can easily be overshadowed. This important hormone can make for extraordinary sexual chemistry, well-being and robust health well into the golden years. Often referred to as the "hormone of youth," progesterone has also been linked with certain health benefits, including bone density, breast and prostate health.

Scientists on the leading edge are discovering that when progesterone production declines or stops, estrogen and testosterone levels may fall with it. Decreased progesterone production correlates not just with loss of libido, but with accelerated bone loss and increased risk of cancer. Other age-related effects have also been linked with a progesterone deficiency.

The up side of this is that restoring the hormone can bring balance back to the body. In fact, progesterone may be another critical piece of the human puzzle of aging, and replacing the hormone can profoundly offset a host of age-related conditions in men and women. For example, the natural progesterone is also a menstrual balancer, mood enhancer, antidiuretic, and it is important for the youthful appearance of skin. In fact, many beauty creams now include progesterone as a conditioning ingredient, as it truly can enhance skin tone.

Progesterone can also improve the sex lives of men and women by safely boosting testosterone levels, while countering the dangerous effects of too much estrogen. In women, too much of the wrong kinds of estrogen can lead to overgrowth of the endometrial lining, which in extreme cases can turn cancerous. In men, it can improve and maintain the health of the prostate — also by helping to curb estrogens.

The hormone is extremely safe for men and women, even in very high doses. John R. Lee, M.D., a Northern California physician who pioneered the study of natural progesterone in women, jests about one side effect of natural progesterone as he says, "That guy across the room will get better looking." He points out that progesterone is at least partly responsible for the sex drive in women. According to Lee, "Presumably this is Nature's way of assuring a meeting of the egg with a sperm after ovulation." Other side effects of excessive progesterone can include sleepiness and feelings of euphoria.

The Delicately Balanced
Thyroid Gland

When it comes to sexual organs, the thyroid gland is usually not considered, even by medical textbooks. Yet good thyroid functioning is critical to the balance of many systems of the body, and it is essential to a good sex life.

Thyroid hormones are controlled by the output of a hypothalamic hormone called thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). As TRH triggers the pituitary gland to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), TSH stimulates the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones. While the process sounds very simple, it involves a complex network of checks and balances that have a powerful effect on the entire body.

Both excessively high or low levels of thyroid hormone can negatively affect sexual functioning. Low levels of the hormone can cause impotence, and individuals with hypothyroid conditions tend to have low testosterone levels. These are usually accompanied by high levels of prolactin, a hormone that can also extinguish the fire of desire.

Too much thyroid (hyperthyroid) is also a threat to normal sexual functioning. About 70 percent of males with hyperthyroid conditions show loss of libido, and up to 40 percent develop breast tissue growth (gynecomastia). Even slight excesses of synthetic prescription thyroid can diminish sexual desire, depress the emotions, cause testosterone to convert into estrogen and even lead to impotence. Women are even more likely to lose libido, because excess thyroid destroys what little testosterone they normally have.

Balance is Key

Because healthy thyroid functioning is critical to the sex life of both men and women, it is advisable to have a complete thyroid panel, including TSH, T3, T4 and T7 (which is calculated from the previous three.) If thyroid medication is indicated, it is important to ask the physician for a natural thyroid supplement (Synthroid, or synthetic thyroid, has undesirable side effects in most people). A knowledgeable physician will recommend natural thyroid medications such as the Armour, West, or Bio-Tech brands.

According to Ward Dean, M.D., "a very high percentage of people over 30 have low thyroid function so it is advisable for nearly everybody to consider taking at least one-fourth grain, even if they have not been tested."

Do It Better With DHEA

Dehydroepiandrosterone, more commonly known as DHEA, is a naturally occurring prehormone that has gained mainstream popularity in recent years. Considered a junk hormone by most US researchers until the early 1990s, DHEA was thought to be an intermediate stage hormone — and of no particular significance. Today it is viewed quite differently. Reported to enhance libido, help impotence, diminish depression and increase well being in most people, this supplement is now recognized as a major anti-aging and libido-enhancing hormone.

DHEA is an androgen (hormone substance that can produce male characteristics) which converts into testosterone, estradiol, estrone and estriol. Researchers have found that low DHEA levels are associated with low levels of these other hormones, particularly testosterone. And it is now well documented that reduced levels of these hormones can have detrimental effects on health — perhaps due to a drop in DHEA levels.

During their younger years, men usually produce more DHEA than women, but the rate of decline is about the same in men as in women. In men, DHEA levels are reduced by about 50 percent by the time they reach age 40. In women, youthful levels also drop to half their normal level by age 45. And by age 80, both men and women only produce about 15 percent of their peak DHEA levels.

Research is only now beginning to reveal the benefits that can be achieved by restoring DHEA to youthful levels. For example, research links most types of breast cancer to abnormally low levels of DHEA. Yet when lab rats are given an injection of DHEA prior to being exposed to a potent carcinogen, they remain cancer-free. It has also been shown to improve memory, strengthen the immune system, prevent bone loss and protect against heart disease by lowering cholesterol and preventing blood clots. Some sources indicate that DHEA can also promote body fat loss. And because it promotes the formation of estrogens and testosterone, it may also help relieve menopausal symptoms.

By far the most frequent anecdotal reports we hear about DHEA refer to its libido-enhancing qualities — especially from women during their menopausal years. As one 53-year-old woman states, "I was feeling depressed and unattracted to my husband. Now with DHEA, I can't seem to get enough [sex]. I've recently suggested that he also take the supplement."

When a Hormone
is NOT a Hormone

It is very important to distinguish at this point that — whether it is testosterone, progesterone, estrogen or thyroid — synthetic "hormone" replacements are not true hormones. They are drugs that are foreign to the human body. While some physicians, pharmaceutical companies and even research scientists use these terms interchangeably, there is an important difference. Identical-to-human hormones (defined in this book as "natural") are the only true hormone products.

When the attempt is made to replace natural hormones with patented combinations like horse estrogens (Premarin®) or methyl testosterone, doctors do so in an attempt to relieve some of the symptoms associated with female or male menopause. However, because these substances are foreign to the human body, they do an incomplete job at best. And often, these can cause very serious, even deadly, side effects.

Premarin®, for example, relieves many of the symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes and vaginal thinning. It also protects against heart disease and slows the progression of osteoporosis. At the same time, however, it is associated with the growth of uterine and breast cancers and causes numerous unpleasant side effects, for which the physician will often prescribe more synthetic drugs, each with side effects of its own.

The Natural Hormone Solution

The good news is that science has discovered how to make identical-to-human hormones that provide all of the benefits and virtually none of the unwanted effects associated with synthetic hormones. Research now indicates that the adequate replacement of these hormones can not only renew a lackluster sex life but also provide many of the positive effects affiliated with hormone replacement.

It is advisable to work with a knowledgeable physician who is well-versed in natural hormone replacement (NHR). Such physicians are worth searching out, as they can design a personal program for each individual biochemical profile.

Restoring Hormones
to Their Youthful Peak

The health benefits of natural hormone replacement (NHR) are almost too many to count! Scientists are just beginning to understand the many advantages of restoring these hormones to their earlier levels. Benefits include improved sex drive, better, longer-lasting erections for men, reduced vaginal dryness and thinning for women, and an enhanced state of mind and spirit.

NHR offers the potential of many other health advantages. It can help in the prevention of osteoporosis and the restoration of bone integrity, reduce hot flashes, improve lean body mass and strength, protect against heart disease and stroke, improve cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of endometrial and breast cancer, reduce the risk of depression, improve sleep, concentration and memory. And yet it poses none of the dangers and unwanted effects associated with synthetic hormones.

Natural Hormone Replacement by Jonathan V. Wright, M.D. and John Morgenthaler, provides in-depth perspective and guidance for NHR. The book can be purchased at a book store or check our web site at www.smart-publications.com

Creams, Pills or Patches?

Natural hormones are available in a variety of forms, and it is important to know the differences. Pills are probably the least desirable form, because when we swallow anything the liver is always the first stop. In the case of hormone products, the liver will always break some of it down before the body is able to use it.

Perhaps the best way to get hormones into circulation is through the skin or oral mucosa. Products with these delivery systems are available as transdermal creams, skin patches and liquids (sprays) or lozenges that are absorbed through the cheek or under the tongue. Testosterone is also available in the form of an injection.

Progesterone is the best candidate for transdermal cream application. It is an especially lipophilic (fat-loving) molecule and is most easily absorbed through the fatty layer just below the surface of the skin. Progesterone cream may be rubbed into hormone-sensitive areas, which include areas of the upper chest, breasts and upper thighs — where absorption can take place directly through the fatty tissue under the skin.

It is best to alternate the areas of application, so that particular body parts do not become saturated. As the hormone passes through the fatty layer and enters into the capillaries, it effectively bypasses the liver so that the body can fully benefit from its use.

Responsible Use

Because hormones play such an important role in the body, it is prudent to consult a knowledgeable physician before using any hormone products. In addition to assessing overall health, a physician will be able to monitor individual hormone levels and change dosages if necessary.

The responsible use of any hormonal, nutritional or pharmacologic substance requires beginning with a low initial dose and gradually increasing up to the recommended dose, noting how you feel along the way. At any point, if something doesn't feel right the dose can always be adjusted or the product can be discontinued. Never exceed the recommended dosage without the supervision of a knowledgeable physician (not all doctors are experienced in this area, so it is important to choose a physician who specializes in natural hormone replacement therapy).

Safety and Precautions: Hormones are powerful substances that affect many physiological systems throughout the body. Taken as prescribed and in the right combination, natural hormones are safe and effective, without many of the undesirable side effects of synthetic hormones.

Natural progesterone is the only exception to the rule. Progesterone cream is available without a prescription and is considered to be virtually harmless. It is important to know that excessive amounts do have three potential side effects: increased libido, mild sleepiness and feelings of euphoria.

Excessive amounts of other natural hormones, however, can produce unpleasant side effects. For example, too much testosterone can cause male characteristics in women and a violent temperament in men. High doses of DHEA, which interacts with dopamine in the hypothalamus, may cause sleep disturbances in some people. It can also produce male characteristics and acne in women. Too much estrogen can lead to cancerous growth; and elevated amounts of thyroid hormone can dampen the libido and cause irritability, heart palpitations and anxiety.

Dosage and Timing: Natural progesterone cream can be applied to the upper chest, breasts and upper thighs (on a rotational basis) beginning with a quarter of a teaspoon daily for both men and women. The amount can be increased as necessary. Other hormone products should be taken as prescribed.

Availability: Progesterone creams are available over-the-counter (OTC) at health and natural product stores, and by mail order. Other natural hormones, including estrogens (estrone, estradiol and estriol), testosterone, thyroid and oral progesterone require a prescription and can be obtained from a compounding pharmacy or from some overseas mail order pharmacies.

Web Site: Please check our web site (www.smart-publications.com). This provides information on how to order pharmaceutical products by mail from overseas (for better selection and to save money), pointers on finding a suitable physician, and a subscription button for our free e-newsletter.

Home | About Smart Publications | Alternative Health Information by Topic
Tools & Links | Contact Smart Publications

Subscribe
to Smart Publications
E-newsletter
and receive weekly e-alerts from the world of nutritional medicine.

Just type your email address below and click on submit (unsubscribe anytime.)

Subscribe...to
Smart Publications Health & Wellness Update
the 16-page monthly newsletter.

and receive the latest information from the world of nutritional medicine.
>> subscribe for free!

Advertisement
FREE
Welcome Kit
from
Health Freedom Nutrition

Complete product listing and discount offers included!
>> request a kit

The Smart Guide to Better Sex From Andro to Zinc Supplements and Herbs to Fire Up Your Sex Life

The Smart Guide to Better Sex
From Andro to Zinc
Supplements and Herbs to Fire Up Your Sex Life