Effect Of Natural Aromatase Inhibitors On Libido

[serling78]

I don't claim to be an amateur scientist so hoping someone can shed a little light here for me. I've had issues with libido on and off for years now and looking back the best connection I can find are supplements that inhibit aromatase. At least I think that's the case..

I lift 4 to 5 times a week and I find it nearly impossible to put on any muscle without some type of supplemental boost. I've tried the following :
Vitamin D: gives great results in the gym but destroys my libido. From what I know this is an aromatase inhibitor.
Zinc: decent results from working out. Once again, destroys my libido. I understand this can inhibit aromatase but also lower DHT?
Magnesium : good result in the gym, but ruins my libido and also causes shrinkage downstairs. Not sure why on this one. I've never read that it affects DHT or aromatase. It remains a mystery.
Vitamin K: this includes supplementation and from vegetables like kale. Both kill my libido. I think this is a known aromatase inhibitor.
Olive oil : Took 2-3 spoonfuls a day. Bad for my libido and lead to some shrinkage as well. I've read conflicting info on this. Some say it Lowes DHT. have also read it inhibits aromarase. But others say it's "nature's viagra". Not for me.
Maca: thinking about trying this. But again have seen conflicting reports. Have read its great for libido but have also seen that it lowers DHT and/or inhibits aromatase .

For all of these I've only taken reasonable doses, no mega doses.

I feel like my body simply can't gain muscle and also have a functioning libido. They seem to oppose each other. Also my body seems extremely sensitive when it comes to my libido. For all of the above supplements I've read countless information about how they all increase libido, but I haven't seen that myself.

Wondering if there are any ways to take supplements that lower aromatase and combat the negative libido side effects at the same time.

 

[Velve921]

I don't claim to be an amateur scientist so hoping someone can shed a little light here for me. I've had issues with libido on and off for years now and looking back the best connection I can find are supplements that inhibit aromatase. At least I think that's the case..

I lift 4 to 5 times a week and I find it nearly impossible to put on any muscle without some type of supplemental boost. I've tried the following :
Vitamin D: gives great results in the gym but destroys my libido. From what I know this is an aromatase inhibitor.
Zinc: decent results from working out. Once again, destroys my libido. I understand this can inhibit aromatase but also lower DHT?
Magnesium : good result in the gym, but ruins my libido and also causes shrinkage downstairs. Not sure why on this one. I've never read that it affects DHT or aromatase. It remains a mystery.
Vitamin K: this includes supplementation and from vegetables like kale. Both kill my libido. I think this is a known aromatase inhibitor.
Olive oil : Took 2-3 spoonfuls a day. Bad for my libido and lead to some shrinkage as well. I've read conflicting info on this. Some say it Lowes DHT. have also read it inhibits aromarase. But others say it's "nature's viagra". Not for me.
Maca: thinking about trying this. But again have seen conflicting reports. Have read its great for libido but have also seen that it lowers DHT and/or inhibits aromatase .

For all of these I've only taken reasonable doses, no mega doses.

I feel like my body simply can't gain muscle and also have a functioning libido. They seem to oppose each other. Also my body seems extremely sensitive when it comes to my libido. For all of the above supplements I've read countless information about how they all increase libido, but I haven't seen that myself.

Wondering if there are any ways to take supplements that lower aromatase and combat the negative libido side effects at the same time.

Have you experimented with lifting only 2 times a week? I have found that high amounts of training can lower metabolism due to high amounts of stress. In your case, the amount of lifting could potentially cancel out or dismish the effects of all the metabolic support from nutrition and supplements.

 

[Cameron]

Mushrooms white button seem to have a very positive mood and libido effect. Also fresh oj as oj has many anti aromatizing compounds

 

[Cameron]

Have you experimented with lifting only 2 times a week? I have found that high amounts of training can lower metabolism due to high amounts of stress. In your case, the amount of lifting could potentially cancel out or dismish the effects of all the metabolic support from nutrition and supplements.

This is likely true however training less volume but more days has lead to better growth for me at least with high protein and sufficient calories. With good sleep and easy to digest proteins fats and sugars I’ve been able to train everyday but less volume. And avoiding lots of cns stress

 

[Jing]

I lift 4 to 5 times a week and I find it nearly impossible to put on any muscle

What is your workout routine? How many calories and protein do you get daily?

 

[GreekDemiGod]

Tip: If you don't feel higher T at the end of your workout, you're doing something wrong. That is, if your workouts do not leave you refreshed and more alive.

When I was doing super high volume, high reps training, my workouts left me drained and could sense it was loweringy T.

 

[serling78]

What is your workout routine? How many calories and protein do you get daily?

Honestly I'm not counting calories or anything like that, but I get plenty. I'm not on any extreme low carb diet or anything. I eat things like chicken breast, beef, honey, dry Oats in my shake, broccoli, a dairy and soy free protein powder, quinoa, I always try to avoid soy. And I'm lactose intolerant so no dairy. I drink lactose free milk. I've been thinking about adding coconut oil to my shakes but once again I'm seeing conflicting info on that. I've read it is also an aromatase inhibitor so that scares me.

As far as working out I do a day of squats and deadlifts, a chest and tri day, a leg day, and a bicep and shoulder day.

 

[serling78]

I should say that's my current workout routine. I've been regularly working out for almost 2 decades now and I've done all kinds of routines. Doing less days per week hasn't ever worked for me.

 

[Hans]

I don't claim to be an amateur scientist so hoping someone can shed a little light here for me. I've had issues with libido on and off for years now and looking back the best connection I can find are supplements that inhibit aromatase. At least I think that's the case..

I lift 4 to 5 times a week and I find it nearly impossible to put on any muscle without some type of supplemental boost. I've tried the following :
Vitamin D: gives great results in the gym but destroys my libido. From what I know this is an aromatase inhibitor.
Zinc: decent results from working out. Once again, destroys my libido. I understand this can inhibit aromatase but also lower DHT?
Magnesium : good result in the gym, but ruins my libido and also causes shrinkage downstairs. Not sure why on this one. I've never read that it affects DHT or aromatase. It remains a mystery.
Vitamin K: this includes supplementation and from vegetables like kale. Both kill my libido. I think this is a known aromatase inhibitor.
Olive oil : Took 2-3 spoonfuls a day. Bad for my libido and lead to some shrinkage as well. I've read conflicting info on this. Some say it Lowes DHT. have also read it inhibits aromarase. But others say it's "nature's viagra". Not for me.
Maca: thinking about trying this. But again have seen conflicting reports. Have read its great for libido but have also seen that it lowers DHT and/or inhibits aromatase .

For all of these I've only taken reasonable doses, no mega doses.

I feel like my body simply can't gain muscle and also have a functioning libido. They seem to oppose each other. Also my body seems extremely sensitive when it comes to my libido. For all of the above supplements I've read countless information about how they all increase libido, but I haven't seen that myself.

Wondering if there are any ways to take supplements that lower aromatase and combat the negative libido side effects at the same time.

One of the biggest reasons people don't put on mass is simply because they don't eat enough. Secondly, I see people stall because they don't train hard enough. You got over 2 decades under your belt, so I don't think it's this one. But one thing that does help is to focus like crazy on the mind to muscle connection and not just try to lift the weight.

To elaborate on the first point; that's why it's important to count calories. You might need much more calories than other people and you might just intuitively eat enough to be happy and healthy, but not enough to put on the pounds. If I don't count calories myself I would automatically start to undereat.
Depending on your weight, but around 150-200g protein would be a good mark. Some might need more, some less. Around 60-150g fat (it all depends on how well you do on fat and if you add too much fat when eating lots of fat...it feels like I'm saying fat too much) and the rest carbs.

Have you ever tried creatine? It probably the best supplement for gaining mass and strength and it's much better than mag, vit D, K, etc. If you want more energy and endurance, there's always caffeine, beta-alanine, and even things like ATP, succinic acid, sodium bicarb, Cardenosine, Ancient Peat, etc.
Also, what do you mean it's bad for your libido? Does it destroy your desire, or affect your wood?

 

[Jing]

Honestly I'm not counting calories or anything like that, but I get plenty. I'm not on any extreme low carb diet or anything. I eat things like chicken breast, beef, honey, dry Oats in my shake, broccoli, a dairy and soy free protein powder, quinoa, I always try to avoid soy. And I'm lactose intolerant so no dairy. I drink lactose free milk. I've been thinking about adding coconut oil to my shakes but once again I'm seeing conflicting info on that. I've read it is also an aromatase inhibitor so that scares me.

As far as working out I do a day of squats and deadlifts, a chest and tri day, a leg day, and a bicep and shoulder day.

Start counting calories , you think you are eating enough but I doubt you are , people always try to lose fat or gain muscle and they get no progress because they think they are eating enough or they think they are eating below maintenance you need to know exactly how many calories you are eating, eat 300-500 over your maintenance calories..

Break your workout down for me, seems you are only working out each muscle once a week? What's your sets and reps? What exercises do you do?

 

[Lokzo]

Try CORDYCEPS if you want to see how raising T and Estrogen feels

 

[serling78]

Wanted to give an update on something that has shown some promise for me over the past week or so. I went ahead and gave MACA a try and within about 2 days my libido felt pretty close to normal. Still early but it's promising. Even beyond libido, my resting state down there is back to normal. I've been experiencing some ongoing shrinkage for a while.

One huge side effect I noticed from the MACA almost immediately was extreme bloating. I'm talking so bad that I couldn't go into the office the 2nd day because I couldn't even wear any of my pants. I basically looked and felt pregnant. Pretty uncomfortable.

Then I remembered something that helped me to digest creatine in the past, which was dextrose. So I started taking the MACA (3 grams) with two tablespoons of dextrose and that has been a huge help.

Again, it's still early but I'm going to keep using the MACA and see if it works for me.

 

[Dino D]

hey, no one answered, zinc, vit d, mag, and.whey kill.my libido also... calories dont matter, if I ads whey, libido gone, zinc needs a bit more time, also libido gone... many sups do that to me
alcohol gives me better libido, especialy the day after...
im also looking to try ashwanganda...

no one answered your question... yes, calories, always calories... but why would vit d, or zinc kill libido with the same diet before and after and what to do about it... thats the question and I need the answer too...

 

[Kunstruct]

zinc needs a bit more time, also libido gone...

Yeah, it's one of the most recommended thing for libido yet the entire forum is full of people with dead libido from zinc, except 3 guys who do good on it, often leading to libido issues for years as people just keep on using Zinc over and over.

As for inhibiting aromatase haidut said last time you need at least 30mg-50mg to affect it. Before you even inhibit aromatase a bit you block iron and copper absorption, increase setotonin and lower noradrenaline with it, soon you get into brain fog and apathy if you keep pushing zinc.

 

[Kunstruct]

One huge side effect I noticed from the MACA almost immediately was extreme bloating. I'm talking so bad that I couldn't go into the office the 2nd day because I couldn't even wear any of my pants. I basically looked and felt pregnant. Pretty uncomfortable.

Yeah maca causes massive bloating and huge gas. This is unhealthy, gut health is important.
Some forum talk about fermented maca to curb this effect.

 

[Dino D]

Yeah, it's one of the most recommended thing for libido yet the entire forum is full of people with dead libido from zinc, except 3 guys who do good on it, often leading to libido issues for years as people just keep on using Zinc over and over.

As for inhibiting aromatase haidut said last time you need at least 30mg-50mg to affect it. Before you even inhibit aromatase a bit you block iron and copper absorption, increase setotonin and lower noradrenaline with it, soon you get into brain fog and apathy if you keep pushing zinc.

so what to do?
has it something to do with low dht?

 

[redsun]

hey, no one answered, zinc, vit d, mag, and.whey kill.my libido also... calories dont matter, if I ads whey, libido gone, zinc needs a bit more time, also libido gone... many sups do that to me
alcohol gives me better libido, especialy the day after...
im also looking to try ashwanganda...

no one answered your question... yes, calories, always calories... but why would vit d, or zinc kill libido with the same diet before and after and what to do about it... thats the question and I need the answer too...

Supplemental zinc and magnesium block NMDA receptors and blocking glutamate will reduce dopamine, noradrenaline, histamine. In general they reduce excitatory neurotransmitters and the strength of this effect is based on how long/often you take it and how much you take.

With time if you stop supplementation the NMDA blockade will go away. I do not seem to get the same dull feeling and loss of mental libido from zinc in food, though I suppose if you got enough consistently (daily >30mg from food) it could.

Alcohol acutely raises dopamine and histamine, raising libido that way probably.

 

[Lokzo]

the entire forum is full of people with dead libido from zinc

Spot on, Zinc causes PSSD. It's the single worst supplement for libido in my opinion. So ironic.

I suspect it's related to 5-HT1A receptor.

 

[Lokzo]

Supplemental zinc and magnesium block NMDA receptors and blocking glutamate will reduce dopamine, noradrenaline, histamine. In general they reduce excitatory neurotransmitters and the strength of this effect is based on how long/often you take it and how much you take.

Excellent rationale man. This makes a lot of sense.

 

[Lokzo]

Before you even inhibit aromatase a bit you block iron and copper absorption, increase setotonin and lower noradrenaline with it, soon you get into brain fog and apathy if you keep pushing zinc.

Spot on!!