Hypoactive sexual desire disorder and its cure

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a condition wherein a woman loses interest in sex or is unable to get sexual pleasure, for reasons ranging from just tiredness to hormonal changes. FSD can strike anytime, but in majority of cases, women nearing menopause are the worst sufferers. FSD is considered to be a hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) when the former condition lasts for so long that the woman actually suffers from depression or guilt about her inability to please her sexual partner. 

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder – Causes

 

The causes of HSDD are usually more grim than that of FSD. When it comes to FSD, depression is not so prominent in the woman who suffers from it. But with HSDD, distress over lack of interest in sex and sexual performance overwhelms a woman, often causing relationship crisis.

The causes of hypoactive sexual desire disorder are varied, ranging from low levels of testosterone to psychiatric problems. As the problem is often developed from FSD, the testosterone therapy is considered to be helpful in artificially increasing a woman's sexual desire.

Testosterone patches for reigniting the fire
 

When you are low on sexual desire and you do not have any mental or physical health problem, there is a fair chance that you have low levels of testosterone in your body. Testosterone is the hormone which regulates sexual desire and performance. There is a common misconception that testosterone is exclusive to males. But women also have the hormone in smaller volumes. Amount of testosterone in the body starts reducing with age. As a result, you may start finding sex as boring. Mood swings and lack of motivation are very common in women with a low testosterone level.

Surgical removal of ovaries and/or uterus can cause the levels of testosterone to drop. Women with surgically induced menopause often experience a sudden drop in sexual desire. This is when you need treatment. You can seek medical help to artificially increase testosterone levels in your body to get back your hunger for sex.

Testosterone patches
 

Some years back, it was almost an unthinkable proposition that anything can be done to increase a woman's sexual desire. But Intrinsa testosterone patches changed it all in 2007.


Intrinsa patch – The Viagra for women
 

Often compared to the male impotence pill Viagra, Intrinsa contains testosterone as the active ingredient. It delivers the hormone to the bloodstream through the skin and helps in boosting your sexual desire. The patch is meant to be worn around the waist and lower abdomen. Each patch can deliver 300mg of testosterone transdermally. The patches help you make up for the reduction in testosterone levels as you age. Similarly, when your ovaries or uterus are removed, the patches supply testosterone and help keep your sexual desire alive.

You should wear a testosterone patch for 3-4 days at a stretch. Wear it on a clean, dry area in your skin. You will experience the effects within a month, sometimes a bit more. Talk to your doctor immediately if you suffer from any skin condition.

If bald is not beautiful for you

The condition of hairlessness is very common among men of all ages. While baldness is romanticised a lot in films and other forms of art, the reality is that no man feels exulted when his scalp goes shiny. Among all types of hair fall that men experience, male pattern baldness affects most men. But there is nothing to feel devastated about it and you are not the only one with this problem anyway. Studies show that male pattern hair loss affects approximately half the male population by the time they reach the age of 50. And many of them do not even get a clue that they are losing hair until much of it is gone. But the heartening thing is that with proper and timely treatment, you can not just stop hair from falling off, but can also get some of your lost hair back.

Stages of male hair loss

Unlike random hair fall, male pattern baldness follows a typical pattern. With the help of patient surveys and clinical observations, experts have reached a general consensus about the different phases of hair loss:

• Phase 1: The hairline starts to recede.
• Phase 2: The anterior part of the head gets exposed, followed by disappearance of hair from a very small region at the vertex.
• Phase 3: Similar to the previous phase, only the rate of disappearance accelerates.
• Phase 4: The receding hairline is about to meet the the hairless region at the vertex, which is also expanding.
• Phase 5: Phase 4 culminates, causing a bald scalp with very thin covering of hair on either side of the vertex.

Even if you want, you may not be able to prevent the first 2 phases of male pattern baldness. This is because by the time you will come to know about your hair loss, much of it will be gone. But what you can do is talk to your doctor to prevent further damage. Unlike many other losses, hair loss is not irreparable and with finasteride, you will notice significant improvement in just about 3 months.

Propecia finasteride for prevention of male pattern baldness

This FDA-approved once a day pill is intended to treat male pattern baldness. Propecia is the brand name for finasteride, the active ingredient in this drug. Finasteride helps reduce a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Experts believe that DHT is responsible for male pattern hair loss, along with genetic factors. DHT triggers hair fall by causing the hair follicles to contract and preventing hair from coming out of the contracted follicles. What finasteride does is it blocks the production of DHT and in doing so, keeps the hair follicles from contracting.

You are the one to mind your head!

Hair loss can affect some men negatively, causing distress and poor body image. On the other hand, some men live just fine with a shiny scalp. So it is not compulsory to treat male pattern baldness. You are in the best position to decide what you need to do. It is advisable that you should talk to your doctor first and discuss your problem frankly.

Unravel the truth about male pattern hair loss

Male hair loss is an unfortunate and extremely demoralising problem which many young men face just as they are about to venture into the realms of socialising. Male pattern baldness causes more concern that other types of hair loss. For many men, it usually starts at an early age, sometimes during the late twenties, and continues for more than 20-25 years. Hair loss can be fairly rapid, causing guys to go bald in as little as 5 years. But the good news is that the condition can be treated successfully and with timely and effective treatment, it is even possible to trigger hair regrowth. But sadly, people are fed with tons of incomplete and wrong information about hair loss. Here are 5 commonest misconceptions that are embedded in most people's mind.

Hair loss is a maternal inheritance

Male pattern baldness, which is caused by a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), is mainly a genetic problem. So there is no reason to spare the father! If anybody from your father's family ever suffered from the problem, you may also pick it up.

Wearing a hat may trigger pattern hair loss

Many men like to put on hats or fancy headgears. For them this myth sounds really scary. The truth is unless you wear a hat so tight that it cuts off circulation to the hair follicles, you won't go bald.

Cut and shave more to make it thicker

When you cut hair from your scalp, it only appears that you get a thicker look on the top! But in reality, nothing of that sort happens. Frequent shaving too does nothing in favour of hair growth on the head.

Sometimes I see hairs coming off while combing. This is a sign of male pattern baldness.

On an average basis, a normal person with no testosterone-dihydrotestosterone problem may experience hair fall. It is estimated that about 100 hairs come off every day. So occasional stray hairs on your comb should not bother you at all.

Genetic hair loss is not treatable

This is another gross misconception. There are trusted and 100% safe non-surgical means to prevent hair fall and even to restore your full-grown look. Propecia finasteride is one of the most sought after drugs when it comes to prevention and renewal of hair growth.

5 tips on how to get the best out of Viagra

Viagra is one power-packed pellet of potency that has made impotence treatment easier and more effective than ever.

While its popularity is skyrocketing everyday, misconceptions are also mounting. Here are 5 tips on how to maximize the benefits of Viagra.

Tip 1: Take the tablet at least 30 minutes before sex. It will give you enough time to indulge in foreplay or other means to get aroused and be ready for intercourse.

Tip 2: The blue pill works best when taken on an empty stomach or with a meal which is low in fat. Fat may inhibit absorption of the drug into the system. Even if you cannot avoid a fatty meal, make sure you have it 2 hours before taking the medicine.

Tip 3: Do not panic if you are not successful at your first or second attempt. For most men with erectile dysfunction, Viagra works right away. But in case it does not, you may need to relax a bit mentally. Taking your mind off sex for some time may help. If this too doesn't help, talk to your doctor. A little adjustment in the dosage may solve your problem.

Tip 4: Do not hurry as if it is the end of the world. Take your time and build the mood both for yourself and your partner. You have 4 hours to enjoy sex, so start kindling the fire slowly and rest assured, you will have your partner caught in heat of the moment very shortly.

Tip 5: It sometimes helps to even ignore that you are on Viagra, because if you become too self-conscious about the medicine, your emotional involvement may not be at its best.

How to prevent male pattern baldness

Male pattern baldness, medically known as androgenic alopecia, is the most common type of hair loss experienced by men. The term 'pattern baldness' indicates a specific type of male hair loss – first hairline starts to recede from the crown, which is followed by disappearance of hair from the mid-anterior region of the scalp. This type of hair fall is triggered by androgenic hormones. An individual can suffer from it any time – be it in his twenties or fifties. But the condition is preventable with medicines such as Propecia finasteride, which, if used as prescribed, can in fact encourage hair regrowth.

What causes hair to fall off?

An androgenic hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is responsible for male pattern baldness. Actually the normal growth rate of hair is an inch in every couple of months or so. This rate continues for about 2-6 years, after which hair no longer grows and comes off. Each hair is rooted in a follicle, which contracts over time, slowing hair growth. Shrinking of follicles also makes hair thinner. The end result is a shrunk follicle without any hair rooted in it.

According to experts, when a man has male pattern baldness, his follicles become genetically sensitive to androgenic hormones. As a result of this, the follicles no longer respond to the hormones and hair starts to fall off. So to prevent the problem, it is important to use a medicine that can keep the follicles alive. Propecia has finasteride as its active ingredient, which is a synthetic anti-androgen. It reduces androgenic hormones and in doing so, prevent male pattern baldness and even encourages new hair growth.

What does Propecia do to prevent male hair loss?

Manufactured by Merck and Co., Inc., Propecia is an FDA-approved prescription only medicine. It is basically a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor which can prevent the hair follicles from getting exposed to the DHT hormones. This makes sure the hair follicles stay alive and capable of producing new hair. But for the medicine to work effectively, you need to use it for about 3 months at a stretch. Only then you will notice any significant change on your scalp. But do not stop taking the medicine as soon as you see the positive results. You should complete the course to get long-term benefits of the treatment.

Is Propecia safe for all?

Propecia is only indicated for men. It does not work for women suffering from any kind of hair loss problem. Pregnant or expecting women shouldn't even handle the pill if its crushed or broken, as it may affect the foetus. Keep the drug away from children's reach.

Can men prevent pattern hair loss without medical assistance?

Studies have so far unearthed that mostly genetic factors cause androgenic alopecia or pattern hair loss. So it is not possible to prevent it without treatment. Similarly, do not get alarmed if you see a few stray hairs on your comb occasionally. All types of hair loss is not genetic and you can prevent non-genetic hair fall by making a few small adjustments in your hair care regime.

What you can do and do without when you're on a slimming regime

Weight loss programs are tried and tested ways to achieve long-term weight loss goals and remain healthy. But overweight or obese people are often fed with incomplete or wrong information about how to go about their slimming regimes. Resultantly, they end up putting more weight and developing other health conditions. Relying solely on slimming pills to lose weight and cutting down on diet in an irrational manner may do you more harm than good when you are under obesity treatment. Let us cast light on some do's and don'ts while you're on a weight loss program.

Do take a diet that works best for you

Everyone's body is different and there is no rule of thumb to know for sure how your body is going to react to certain food. So it's up to you to know which type of food you like and most importantly, your body can accept without rebelling.

Do stick to your diet

When you're prescribed a low-calorie diet by your physician, it takes time for your body to get accustomed to the new food. Also, if you're taking weight loss pills such as Xenical, there is a fair chance that your slimming program will take at least 90 days before you see any significant reduction in your BMI, body fat or waist circumference.

Do take your new diet as a permanent solution to your weight-related problem
 

Hopping across various types of diets is not recommended when you're on a weight loss program. It's like needlessly blowing hot and cold when all you need is a steady, nutritious diet coupled with regular exercise and weight loss pills, if any.      

Do take veg 'filler' foods

Vegetables that do not contain starch are perfect when you're on a slimming program. They are low-calorie food with plenty of water and fibre. Baby carrots, cauliflower leaves and green beans are recommended in particular.

Don't snack between principal meals

This is a strict no-no if you're serious about losing weight. Most snacks and junk foods contain a very high percentage of fat and carbohydrates and you won't do yourself any good if you keep on munching potato chips and cheeseburgers all the time.

Don't deprive yourself of sleep

The most basic things about life are simple. If you don't get adequate sleep, production of a hormone called ghrelin increases, making you feel more hungry. Lack of sleep can also make you feel irritated and tired, which effectively takes away your focus from things you should be thinking about on priority basis. And when that happens, chances are very high that you'll be drawn into eating to compensate for your intellectual or spiritual deficits.

Don't use exercise as an excuse to eating more

You may walk, run, swim, or dance, but none of them will fetch you any benefit if you can't resist the temptation to go on frequent binges.    

Don't eat when you're not hungry

Hunger is the best cuisine and amen to that. Many people have a tendency to eat when they feel unhappy, angry or bored. Emotional eating violates the body's natural requirement. So learn to distinguish between craving and hunger. Also, avoid peers who always eat no matter what the occasion is. You may find it difficult to not eat when you are in their company.

Is there something fishy about your diet pills?

• Are there any good diet pills? - Yes.
• Are there any pills that don't work? - Absolutely yes.
• Can weight loss pills be dangerous? - Quite a few, yes.

Diet pills can be over the counter pills or prescription pills and more often than not they fall in the last two categories. Either they don't work or they are useless and dangerous. The advertisements and mass emails of pills that flood your spam folder are the ones that you should be careful about. What your instincts tell you about these pills is right and there is definitely something fishy about them. You will never find a genuine diet pill in your spam box.

Watch out for shady pills

Spam emails are illegal and punishable in most countries; the fact that the companies have to market their products by such means speaks volumes about the effectiveness of their product and their business ethics. Sometimes, fake pills trading on the name of prescription pills are also sold on the market. If you come across spam emails of popular prescription pills like Xenical orlistat, you must stay away from that particular website. Websites that offer Xenical orlistat on discount or generic orlistat pills might be selling fake pills under the name of Xenical.

Make sure you find a reputed website before you buy any pills. Avoid scams like the plague. The pills that are marketed thus can not only affect your pocket but also cause serious problems such as heart failure, renal failure, stroke, convulsions, addiction, anxiety and depression. If you suspect even a little that your diet pills are not safe, talk to a doctor, do some research online and only then proceed to buy them.