Cutting phase and libido

[ganciodestro]

Hi guys, I’m currently on a cutting phase. Some days are pretty strict (around 160g net carbs), while on other days I go a bit higher (about 250g net carbs). My calories range between 2,300 and 2,700. I weigh 82 kg and my body fat is now below 10%.

I’m running 200 mg of testosterone cypionate, 0.27 ml subq three times per week. I’ve noticed a further decrease in libido, but honestly I don’t really feel the diet is that strict — I’ve got plenty of energy and don’t even feel the urge to cheat. Most likely my estrogen is very low. When I was on 250 mg of test my E2 was at 34; now I’ve dropped 50 mg and I’m also down at least 3% body fat.

I’m planning to wait another two weeks before getting bloodwork done, since I recently changed both the dose and injection timing. My initial idea was to wait at least 4 weeks after lowering the dose and switching to subq shots (though maybe I could test a bit earlier, what do you guys think?).

Anyway, my main question is: do you also experience lower libido when you cut calories hard, or when your body fat gets really low?
I’d like to hear about your experiences.

 

[Dial It In]

Some see an affect when we get low in BF and our calories. Did you drop your dose because of a 34 E2?

 

[Realbandid]

It is normal, when you in a deficit and this low Bodyfat. You Body is searching for Energy, Libido is one of the first things he Stopps, because it cost a most of it. When you up your calories again it goes away. Its like a survival-mode. Maybee you can look flat too, there is low glycogen in the muscles. You can do a Chestday every two Weeks.

The other thing is, your Lipids hdl/ldl goes in a good Level.

 

[Dial It In]

It is normal, when you in a deficit and this low Bodyfat. You Body is searching for Energy, Libido is one of the first things he Stopps, because it cost a most of it. When you up your calories again it goes away. Its like a survival-mode. Maybee you can look flat too, there is low glycogen in the muscles. You can do a Chestday every two Weeks.

The other thing is, your Lipids hdl/ldl goes in a good Level.

Can’t beat a good refeed day

 

[Realbandid]

Can’t beat a good refeed day

Yeah, you will See the the fullness for 2-3 Days. Better refeed than cheat! It is in your opinion, you must try what is the best for you. The scale goes defently up for 2-3 lbs. Next Morning

 

[ganciodestro]

Some see an affect when we get low in BF and our calories. Did you drop your dose because of a 34 E2?

No, I lowered the dose because 250 mg of testosterone was pushing my total test up to 1500, and I’d rather stay in the high range without going over. I’m still trying to find the right dosage, and I’ll probably need to lower it even more. I’m pretty sure my estrogen is even lower now. I’d like to use HCG, but I first want to see how my bloodwork looks and how I respond to this dose, without skewing my estrogen levels by adding HCG.

 

[ganciodestro]

It is normal, when you in a deficit and this low Bodyfat. You Body is searching for Energy, Libido is one of the first things he Stopps, because it cost a most of it. When you up your calories again it goes away. Its like a survival-mode. Maybee you can look flat too, there is low glycogen in the muscles. You can do a Chestday every two Weeks.

The other thing is, your Lipids hdl/ldl goes in a good Level.

I thought that when you’re on AAS this wouldn’t be an issue… I assumed that low calories would only affect libido for natural guys.

 

[BigDadd7]

I thought that when you’re on AAS this wouldn’t be an issue… I assumed that low calories would only affect libido for natural guys.

See what you get for thinking? Lol

There is a lot of variance in individuals. I have a high libido. My lady and I go at it 2-3 times on a week day, more on the weekend. When I'm in a long cutting phase, or a fast deep cut, my desire and ability definitely drop off. I handle that with several mechanisms: I make sure we're both aware of the "why," I make an effort to meet her needs through other methods, and I put it in the same category as going to the gym or eating my vegetables. When the cutting phase is over, it's back to pound town with a smile on my face!

 

[Slowww]

Libido for me definitely decreases further into a cut I get. No problems with function, and it definitely becomes a much lower priority for me, but still within the realm of normalcy. When I used to box competitively as a natural, the same thing would happen but it would be much more pronounced. Preparing for a fight naturally libido was absolutely slim to none due to fatigue, lack of food and probably hormone problems that developed from the other factors.

 

[Dial It In]

I thought that when you’re on AAS this wouldn’t be an issue… I assumed that low calories would only affect libido for

AAS can disrupt lots of things. Some you can have libido but Mr. One Eye might not want to cooperate. Can say for a definite but yours is probably the caloric intake coupled with some fatigue. The body is going to turn off things to conserve. Despite the primal instinct some people’s body might say “welp we don’t need this so off you go”. Hormones are a fickle fucker. Try to dial in consistency with your injections as much as possible. Not to the minute but bouncing around dats and dosages constantly your body can’t regulate. If 1500 is too much for you that’s okay. Find YOUR sweet spot and let your body adjust. Try incorporating a day of a few more clean calories see if that helps. Try adding them on the days you push harder. For most that’s leg day or back day.

 

[Dial It In]

Hi guys, I’m currently on a cutting phase. Some days are pretty strict (around 160g net carbs), while on other days I go a bit higher (about 250g net carbs). My calories range between 2,300 and 2,700. I weigh 82 kg and my body fat is now below 10%.

I’m running 200 mg of testosterone cypionate, 0.27 ml subq three times per week. I’ve noticed a further decrease in libido, but honestly I don’t really feel the diet is that strict — I’ve got plenty of energy and don’t even feel the urge to cheat. Most likely my estrogen is very low. When I was on 250 mg of test my E2 was at 34; now I’ve dropped 50 mg and I’m also down at least 3% body fat.

I’m planning to wait another two weeks before getting bloodwork done, since I recently changed both the dose and injection timing. My initial idea was to wait at least 4 weeks after lowering the dose and switching to subq shots (though maybe I could test a bit earlier, what do you guys think?).

Anyway, my main question is: do you also experience lower libido when you cut calories hard, or when your body fat gets really low?
I’d like to hear about your experiences.

Don’t you have a post about a mini blast also?

 

[Liter O' Test]

subq is bullshit and inconsistent, also if your dietary fats are low i think that could play a role

 

[Realbandid]

subq is bullshit and inconsistent, also if your dietary fats are low i think that could play a role

Thats true, he must post his entire log. So we can give him better adivice. Fats are necressary in a diet.

Maybee he can add some proviron/dht in the diet that helps with libido.

 

[Fluber]

I think what you’re experiencing is actually very common. Even on gear, once you’re under 10% BF and in a deficit, the body downregulates stuff like libido to save energy. Low E2 can make it worse too, so your guess isn’t far off. Couple things that might help, don’t crash your dietary fats, throw in refeeds or higher-carb days and give your body some time to stabilize after the dose change. Libido almost always comes back once body fat go up again.

 

[Dial It In]

I think what you’re experiencing is actually very common. Even on gear, once you’re under 10% BF and in a deficit, the body downregulates stuff like libido to save energy. Low E2 can make it worse too, so your guess isn’t far off. Couple things that might help, don’t crash your dietary fats, throw in refeeds or higher-carb days and give your body some time to stabilize after the dose change. Libido almost always comes back once body fat go up again.

Like a echo in here lol

 

[Mishka]

It's gone.
And it won't come back until you eat enough.

Had been there so many times.
Nothing helped me.

No gram of Masteron.
No 2 gram of Tren.
No 2 gram of Test.

Maybe Proviron - never tried - but I doubt it.

 

[Fluber]

Like a echo in here lol

That’s just what happens when good advice keeps coming up

 

[ganciodestro]

Don’t you have a post about a mini blast also?

Yes but I will do as soon as i will find my trt dose correct, i will my blood work in 2 weeks and if dose is still not correct will repeat in 3/4 week dropped my testo dose till i will figure it out

 

[ganciodestro]

subq is bullshit and inconsistent, also if your dietary fats are low i think that could play a role

Why do you say that? Physically, I feel very good, I have plenty of energy during the day, Just a little hungry l, cause my diet and less libido (think cause diet too) and I notice no difference compared to when I was taking 50 mg more of testosterone in two IM injections per week…

Before trying subq, I read a lot on the forumseveral people do well with it and have been doing it for quite a while.
The absorption is slower, the absorption rate is the same, and the blood testosterone fluctuations are less pronounced.
Why do you say it makes less sense than IM?

Fat im between 65/90 depend by day, as my calories between 2200/2600

 

[ganciodestro]

It's gone.
And it won't come back until you eat enough.

Had been there so many times.
Nothing helped me.

No gram of Masteron.
No 2 gram of Tren.
No 2 gram of Test.

Maybe Proviron - never tried - but I doubt it.

Thanks for sharing this!
I was strongly convinced that those using a higher dosage wouldn’t have this problem during a cut…
Bit apparently, there’s no steroid or dosage that changes that!
No, my goal isn’t to find a workaround for this apparently very normal situation… I just wanted to hear other people’s experiences and see if this is a common thing or something that affects only a small number of people.


Proviron has never given me any libido, as many say… maybe due to my nature being less prone to aromatization and my body fat being low almost all year round. When I use Proviron without a high testosterone base, my estrogen drops too much.”