Starting with spironolactone

[LikeFries (imported)]

As a new member, let me introduce myself first. English is not my native language, please be kind - misunderstandings may occur.

I'm a 44 yo male, happily married, great young kids. From the outside people tend to see us as "the perfect family". But I'm suffering from my libido, which keeps me awake at night and interferes with my work and daily routines. My wife has not had a mentionable sex drive after the first few years of our relation, and this mismatch has quite some negative influence on our marriage. I also get quite grumpy when tired and am pretty easy to annoy which results in (suppressed) agression and hence frustration. There is no fysical agression and I do not have sexual thoughts that are socially ununderstood. So to speak.

So you may understand that I am very interested in how my world would be like without the influence of testosterone. I really hope this will bring me better sleep, more ease in my mind and more joy in common things. My nature is quite competitive and I always want do things better and have the same or bigger "things" than the people around me. I hope I find the peace to enjoy or be OK with what I have. Should blocking or diminishing testosterone have these positive effects, I'm willing to go forward on surgery, preferably via regular healthcare. Orchiectomy is however not very easily done in the EU. I do intend to be and stay a male heterosexual, but I am fine with total loss of libido.

As I can pretty easily obtain spirolactone (and none of the other drugs), I recently (5 days ago) started with 2x 100mg a day. I plan on trying to take spiro for 6 to 8 weeks and then stop to see if any changes occur in opposite direction.

The effects I (may have) noticed so far:

- early bathroom visit at night

- started sleeping without wanting to have sex

- less erections during the day

- feeling of unease / nervousness with maybe increased heart rate

- did not get really mad at someone yet

I do realise that some weight fell off my chest making the decision (with my wife involved) on starting to take medication. The effects above may well be influenced by relief or wishful thinking.

Can someone tell me at what speed I could or should experience the effects of spironolactone als single drug therapy? Is a 6 to 8 weeks period long enough? I am well aware that the effects vary per person. Any other advise is very welcome, of course.

[GordonGG (imported)]

I've been on Spiro for one month now at the same dosage. I've noticed less morning erections and less general thoughts about sex etc. I am noticing that I get tired and sleepy in late afternoons now way more than I used to.

But so far I'm liking it. Personally I don't think that 6 - 8 weeks is long enough to test the waters. I'm planning on being on Spiro for at least 3 months and preferably 6 months before I decide if an orchiectomy is right for me.

[LikeFries (imported)]

Almost 2 weeks now. And experiencing the same as GordonGG, alsothe sleepiness. I wake up 1 hour early everyday, and take a 15-minute nap at lunchtime. Works out fine.

So far I am pretty happy with my new situation. My libido is down by approx. 80%. I do not get aroused easily, only when my wife starts playing with me. Erections are not that big anymore, penis is notably smaller. Almost too weak for intercourse, but as she has no appetite (and me neither), that's not an issue. The biggest plus for me is a feeling of comfort and being less easily agitated. My wife told me I'm way more laid back.

Thus... Pretty happy so far. More testosterone reduction, even more peace? For now, I'll stick with 2x 100mg spiro.