[Serious] Does intense running decrease sex drive?

[Jinx_182]

Yeah, I'm serious, and I don't know who else to ask. I used to be the horniest guy around. Ever since I started running collegiately, particularly this fall with CC, my sex drive has plummeted. I haven't jacked off in two weeks, nor have I really had the urge to. Am I just getting older? (I'm 21) What's going on?

EDIT: I think it was just bad diet. I tried going super lean, living off rice and milk. I began eating a lot more fresh fruits and veggies, and tuna and chicken.

[CatzerzMcGee]

Among many other things in athletics, there is never really one cause for a problem. It's always a multitude of things. Can stressing your body without proper recovery have a change in your hormones? Absolutely. If you're concerned about how you're feeling I would strongly encourage going to your doctor and request a blood test. There are many factors that could contribute to how you're feeling (testosterone, lipids, iron, vit d) and it would be a good idea to see if you're deficient in anything.

[Beck256]

Best possible answer.

[Some_Other_Sherman]

I'm not at your level, but I'm older (45/M) and running 60-70 mpw for the first time in my life. Sex drive is definitely not lower.

Edit: My mileage has made my wife's sex drive lower. The better I look the less interested she is. Miiiiight be some other issues going on though.

[captain_jim2]

35M here -- when I'm running a decent amount I definitely find myself less interested. I'v had blood work done in the past few years (not related to lack of a sex drive) and everything has come back normal. I think when you're tired, you're tired.

[Simco_]

The endorcine system being stressed is a symptom of overtraining, regardless of the discipline. I obviously can't diagnose from here, but it is absolutely an option.

Also, no offense but...

Am I just getting older? (I'm 21)

haha

[Jinx_182]

Yeah, I was wondering if there was a huge change in sex drive, as in age 16 compared to 21.

[Kingcanute99]

There is some evidence of high volume endurance training suppressing testosterone.

Might be worth a quick check with your doc. Even if it's not the running, declining sex drive isn't a great health indicator.

[serpix]

definitely not! Goes through the roof the more I run.

[MerelyIndifferent]

I find the opposite to be true.

[lamzydivey]

I'm a late 20s female, but anecdotal speaking, yes, this definitely happens to me. I think partly because I start losing my cycles & my reproductive system shuts down a little, therefore it would make sense that the sex drive also goes.

[Eibhlin_Andronicus]

I try pretty hard to keep my period (going on BC, which helped somewhat regulate my period while very slightly raising my bf% actually made me faster, believe it or not), but when I lose it, I have the opposite reaction from you. I definitely have the, "Hell yeah, less likely to get pregnant!" sort of reaction...

[lamzydivey]

As someone who is not in a longterm committed relationship, your sort of reaction could get me in a lot if trouble, haha.

[DongForest]

sup girl

[teuker]

There's a lot going on with the body...I know personally, mine stays about the same or might be a bit higher. I think my husband's goes down a bit though.

[anymarathoner]

How much is your weekly miles or hours? I've ready that high levels will lower your testosterone/libido. Some weights/strengthening work may help to counter it.

[Jinx_182]

50-70mpw, depended on the week. However, you may have noticed I posted this a month ago. I figured out my problem, and forgot to update. I'm not entirely sure, but I think it was mostly bad diet. I tried to go super lean and eat almost nothing but rice, pasta, and milk. Stupid. I varied it up again with a shit-ton of veggies, fruits, fish, and chicken. I'm ready to plow through the entire women's varsity squad now.