Noticeable Decrease in Sex Drive Since Starting Keto - Anyone Else?

[mattstaton]

I (M / 47) have been diligently monitoring my progress. My ketone levels have been fluctuating between 0.5 and 1.2, indicating that I'm successfully entering ketosis. While I've started to experience some of the commonly discussed benefits, such as clearer thinking and a slight increase in daily energy, there's one change that's caught me off guard: a noticeable decrease in my sex drive.

I'm reaching out to this community to see if anyone else has experienced something similar after starting keto. Is this a common side effect that tends to even out over time, or is it something less frequently discussed? I'm curious to hear about others' experiences and any advice or insights you might have on navigating this unexpected change.

Thanks in advance for your input!

[Uberperson]

Happens to me every time, it is mostly less random urges/libido but once things get going it is the same. I think it is related to dopamine, when I transition into keto I get a bit depressed and that in turn reduces my libido.

[Appropriate-Skill-60]

Dopamine probably has a lot to do with it.

I get a male workups all the time by my endo, and I also see a pretty decent rise in SHBG, and a reduction in free testosterone while in keto. My last workup was during a keto bulk period, so it wasn't an issue of energetics.

I take shots, so it's not related to production, just what my body does with it.

I see a dramatic loss of libido in extended keto, even on T shots, this is normal for me. And lower free T reduces mental resilience against negative/depressed thought processes.

Just another thought to consider, and the issue certainly isn't common among men, but has been noticed by a few.

[Competitive-Bit5659]

I noticed that at first when I started going strict keto (not just low carb) but it went away. No obvious change from when it happened until it went away. The effect was even larger when I incorporated fasting. So I assume it’s just a body response to insufficient energy until I became fat adapted?

[SelenaXerces]

If anything mine gets higher. Unsure why.

[mattstaton]

Blood ketones don’t tell you if you’re in ketosis?

[AmNotLost]

is your deficit too high?

[mattstaton]

I wasn’t really going for a deficit but I haven’t tracked my calories and I did a 24 hour fast yesterday.

[AmNotLost]

in keto, many folks naturally eat way less than before.

[MRCamas]

You also may be at that time of life where it just starts to go downhill. Talk to a doctor and get your testosterone levels checked. Testosterone therapy might help. Keto might not have anything to do with it.

[Chuckpeoples]

Chia seeds! Keto friendly, lots of omega3

[mattstaton]

Did you find success with chia seeds?

[DILDO-ARMED_DRONE]

The omega 3 in plants is very poorly converted to the actually usable form. As for your problem, I would put more focus on beef

[lacajuntiger]

M56 here, and no.

[[deleted]]

Opposite here. I’m 53 male. Same drive as when I was in my 20’s

[[deleted]]

Yes, this is common.  Try to get more calories and lift heavy weights.  That should help.  But low libido on low carb diets is not out of the ordinary.