Just some abstracts that I dug up on the effects of lowered testosterone to support what I said earlier.  Some are based around studies in women and older males but low testosterone would affect libido in all folks really so I posted them here for you.  In CAH testosterone levels could be lowered in over treatment as I had said. 

Looking at the last abstract which is completely the opposite and disucsses the effects of the drug tibolone (which is used to treat bone loss and build bone) it is interesting that we are aware that bone loss can be caused by high cortisol levels and lowered dhea’s etc and that the treatment for that can actually reverse not only bone loss but reverse the loss of libido problem!  

Which confirms what I guessed at earlier... and ties higher cortisol levels with not only lowered androgens, but that the reverse must effect the opposite and I just wondered how tibilone or drugs to reverse bone loss actually work after that?    I’d get it checked out by the Doctor though as I said earlier.  If it where that, it would probably be cured with simple adjustment in med’s.   

1: Curr Urol Rep 2000 Nov;1(4):313-9 Related Articles,  Links 

Androgen deficiency in the aging male: when to evaluate and when to treat.

Nolten WE.

Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA. wenolten@facstaff.wisc.edu

Aging can be associated with an abnormal decline in testosterone production, mainly due to pituitary failure, and is reflected by low serum testosterone concentrations. Manifestations of testosterone deficiency can be subtle, can be misinterpreted as consequences of normal aging, and include lack of libido and energy, mood changes, impaired strength, and development of osteoporosis. The most important factor in the evaluation and treatment of this age-related, usually unrecognized abnormality is the public awareness of its frequent occurrence that will stimulate the use of appropriate screening tests, beginning with a morning testosterone level. Replacement therapy by parenteral or transdermal testosterone administration can be highly beneficial in alleviating the manifestations of hypogonadism and improving quality of life. Careful screening and meticulous follow-up are mandatory. The long-term effects of testosterone replacement on the cardiovascular system, the prostate, and on longevity are unknown.

PMID: 12084310 [PubMed - in process]

1: Menopause 2002 May-Jun;9(3):162-70 Related Articles,  Links 

Comment in:
Menopause. 2002 May-Jun;9(3):153-5.
 
The effects of tibolone on mood and libido.

Davis SR.

Jean Hailes Foundation, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. suedavis@netlink.com.au

OBJECTIVE: To review published data pertaining to the effects of tibolone on sexual parameters, mood, and cognitive function in postmenopausal women. DESIGN: A review of all relevant published, peer-reviewed studies. RESULTS: Tibolone is a compound that can be selectively metabolized by individual tissues to its estrogenic, progestogenic, or androgenic metabolites and hence exhibits tissue-specific hormonal effects. Tibolone also lowers sex hormone binding globulin, thus increasing free estradiol and testosterone levels. Tibolone alleviates climacteric vasomotor symptoms and displays a dominant progestogenic effect on the endometrium. Tibolone normalizes the vaginal karyopyknotic and maturation indexes and alleviates symptomatic atrophic vaginitis. Women treated with tibolone report significant reductions in vaginal dryness and dyspareunia, effects that may be secondary to both estrogenic and androgenic actions. Randomized studies indicate tibolone has positive effects on mood compared with placebo and alleviates several adverse mood parameters to a similar extent as conventional hormone replacement therapy. Improved mood is associated with increased plasma beta-endorphin. With respect to cognition, tibolone seems to improve semantic memory but does not significantly improve recognition memory. Tibolone is associated with improvements in sexual function that seem to be greater than those achieved with standard hormone replacement therapy. CONCLUSION: Published studies indicate beneficial effects of tibolone on both libido and mood, which otherwise significantly compromise physical, psychological, and social well-being. Hence, tibolone provides another option for menopausal women experiencing loss of libido as part of their symptomatology or who have persistent low libido despite adequate estrogen/progestin replacement therapy.

Publication Types:
Review
Review, Tutorial

PMID: 11973439 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]