Megatron28
Moderator
A lot of guys come to the TRT forum complaining of poor libido, ED, infrequent or non-existant "morning wood." A lot of them suspect it is due to low testosterone levels and their search brings them to 'Ology. I have been doing some reading and it looks like imbalances of prolactin and dopamine may be a possible culprit. Dopamine is the hormone responsible for sexual arousal. After a male has an orgasm, high levels of prolactin are released which provides him with sexual gratification and puts him in what is known as the Refractory Period. This is the time where a male has to wait a while before he is capable of having sex again. Prolactin counteracts the effects of dopamine. Similarly, dopamine is known as the Prolactin Inhibitory Hormone. They go hand-in-hand in the body's search for homeostasis. Using Cabergoline to change the balance between dopamine and prolactin may be the answer to solving libido and ED problems. Perhaps even Low T itself.
Cabergoline is a type of Dopamine Agonist. Dopamine receptor agonists are drugs that have a structure very similar to dopamine. Because of this similarity, they are able to mimic the action of dopamine (rather than replenish the inadequate supply of dopamine) in the brain. If one imagines dopamine as being a key (agonist) which only fits a specific lock (receptor) to let a door open (i.e. penile erection), losing the key to the door means that the door cannot be opened. The loss of dopamine therefore means that the receptors will not receive the signal telling the penis to work properly. But because dopamine agonists have a similar structure to dopamine, they are able to fit into the dopamine receptor, resulting in the same signal being sent that occurs with dopamine in the non-diseased state and normal control of the penis is restored.
Here are some things to consider:
- One of the side effects of cabergoline is that it can, in some cases, increase libido in subjects.
- Studies have shown that it can stop erectile dysfunction along with improving copulatory performance.
- Cabergoline is well documented to reduce the refractory period after sex and allow men to have numerous multiple orgasims in rapid succession.
- You may experience "overwhelming" orgasims and stronger ejaculations.
- Cabergoline may also make you a happier person with all that dopamine floating around your brain.
- Elevated prolactin levels can lower testosterone levels.
It may be worth having a conversation with an endocrinologist about prolactin and treatment with cabergoline before hopping on TRT for the rest of your life -- especially if you are a male in your 20's or 30's. Here are some studies out there. But I will caution that the first one is based on men with hyperprolactinemia so it may not be applicable to the general population.
Six Months of Treatment with Cabergoline Restores Sexual Potency in Hyperprolactinemic Males: An Open Longitudinal Study Monitoring Nocturnal Penile Tumescence
International Journal of Impotence Research - Cabergoline treatment in men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
I do want to caution you to consider the risks that come with using Cabergoline or any other Dopamine Agonist (DA). Make sure you do your homework before using these medications. Dopamine Agonist Withdrawal Syndrome (DAWS) is real. If you are prone to compulsive obsessiveness, you should really think twice as DA's are known to cause problems with obsessive gambling, hyper-sexuality or other compulsive disorders. They can cause nausea and fatigue. Even hallucinations in some cases. They are best taken before bed with food. Although Cabergoline seems to be tolerated better than other DA's.
A common dosage for Cabergoline would be between .25mg and .50mg every 3.5 days. The half-life is approximately 60-70 hours.
Finally, I am not a doctor so make sure you consult with yours thoroughly before considering any treatments involving Dopamine Agonists including Cabergoline.
Cabergoline is a type of Dopamine Agonist. Dopamine receptor agonists are drugs that have a structure very similar to dopamine. Because of this similarity, they are able to mimic the action of dopamine (rather than replenish the inadequate supply of dopamine) in the brain. If one imagines dopamine as being a key (agonist) which only fits a specific lock (receptor) to let a door open (i.e. penile erection), losing the key to the door means that the door cannot be opened. The loss of dopamine therefore means that the receptors will not receive the signal telling the penis to work properly. But because dopamine agonists have a similar structure to dopamine, they are able to fit into the dopamine receptor, resulting in the same signal being sent that occurs with dopamine in the non-diseased state and normal control of the penis is restored.
Here are some things to consider:
- One of the side effects of cabergoline is that it can, in some cases, increase libido in subjects.
- Studies have shown that it can stop erectile dysfunction along with improving copulatory performance.
- Cabergoline is well documented to reduce the refractory period after sex and allow men to have numerous multiple orgasims in rapid succession.
- You may experience "overwhelming" orgasims and stronger ejaculations.
- Cabergoline may also make you a happier person with all that dopamine floating around your brain.
- Elevated prolactin levels can lower testosterone levels.
It may be worth having a conversation with an endocrinologist about prolactin and treatment with cabergoline before hopping on TRT for the rest of your life -- especially if you are a male in your 20's or 30's. Here are some studies out there. But I will caution that the first one is based on men with hyperprolactinemia so it may not be applicable to the general population.
Six Months of Treatment with Cabergoline Restores Sexual Potency in Hyperprolactinemic Males: An Open Longitudinal Study Monitoring Nocturnal Penile Tumescence
International Journal of Impotence Research - Cabergoline treatment in men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
I do want to caution you to consider the risks that come with using Cabergoline or any other Dopamine Agonist (DA). Make sure you do your homework before using these medications. Dopamine Agonist Withdrawal Syndrome (DAWS) is real. If you are prone to compulsive obsessiveness, you should really think twice as DA's are known to cause problems with obsessive gambling, hyper-sexuality or other compulsive disorders. They can cause nausea and fatigue. Even hallucinations in some cases. They are best taken before bed with food. Although Cabergoline seems to be tolerated better than other DA's.
A common dosage for Cabergoline would be between .25mg and .50mg every 3.5 days. The half-life is approximately 60-70 hours.
Finally, I am not a doctor so make sure you consult with yours thoroughly before considering any treatments involving Dopamine Agonists including Cabergoline.
