Does under-eating decrease libido? Also, am I not eating enough?

[Anonymous]

I've been on a decreased calorie diet for the past nine months or so and have lost 32 of my 40 undesired pounds so far. I really want to get to my desired weight (which is at a pretty strong median according to the bmi ratio), but I'm wondering if I'm eating too little and if that's affecting my libido. I'm a virgin, so my only company is Mr. Hand here, but I've found that for the past few months, I haven't been able to get myself "into it." I only have enough motivation to masturbate because I want to figure out how to overcome this lack of sexual drive, but otherwise, I feel disinterested, fatigued, and somewhat numb. p*rn does little for me and sometimes I'll almost work up to a climax, but I can't so I just give up. Since I have a more or less sedentary lifestyle (meaning I only work out a few times a week and don't do too much physical activity beyond that. Go gaming -.-), I started out on a 1,350 calorie diet, which my fitness app has been shaving off 50 calories from for every 10 pounds I lose. I've gotten to the minimum amount that it'll take off, which is 1,200 calories, and have been sticking to it for the last three months or so. I think that's about when my libido decreased as well. So does a lack of calories cause a weaker libido, and if so, am I lacking the calories I need to have a healthy one?

[madhatters4]

absolutely. your body is fueled by calories, proteins, potassium, etc etc and so if you are getting less than your required caloric intake your body may not respond like normal. one thing I would do though to increase libido (which is primarily just general energy) is to eat more natural sugars such as fruits. they'll give the much needed vitamin b which boosts energy

[Plato]

Yes it does decrease your libido since your body needs nutrients to produce it. You can get more info on medical sites.

[Asker]

Yeah I tried googling this before asking it, but the results I found mainly concerned men or women who are/were anorexic. I wanted something more specific to me where I could ask anonymously, thus I went here =P

[Plato]

So try trial and error. Just run rigorously and eat more. Just eat healthy stuff. If you run enough, then you won't gain weight, you'll actually lose it. 13 miles burns 1,600 calories for me. During winter, I could burn up to 3-5,000 or 6,000 or more calories by ice skating alone each day.

[Asker]

Yeah I was thinking about running every day now... I haven't done anything for the past two weeks but I tend to be in a better mood when I do... I'll try to run for at least half an hour every day now, eating back the calories I lose from it of course. Thanks.

[Plato]

No problem.

[Peter0]

Exercise will also build more muscle mass, which burns more calories at rest.

[Anonymous]

If your body is weak, it doesn't focus on sex and reproduction. I am on a 200-500 calorie diet. I have lost all my 'alone sex' desire, but I am still on for real sex.

[Asker]

Oh my goodness, now that I know is not enough calories. That's practically anorexic. You really don't need to be on a diet that extreme to lose weight, I promise. Please, have some of t dried "vampire killer" kale with me; it's healthy and delicious.

[Opinion Owner]

Heh I am an experienced dieter. I can't go over that amount, if I wan't to lose weight. If I even think about eating over 900, I have gained the next day. - And no, I don't have a slow metabolism. My body is just fucked up-.- ... :)

[Asker]

Something tells me that weight gain you think you're getting is more because you actually have food in your stomach... When you starve yourself, yes, you will gain weight by eating something more than a snack because your body doesn't know when it'll get that much food again so it turns it to fat. You should really reconsider your weight loss plan =(

[Opinion Owner]

I can't reconsider, I have no choice :)

[Asker]

No, please, don't do that to yourself. You always have a choice. You chose to go on that diet, didn't you? You can always choose to get off it as well.

[Opinion Owner]

Yea, but its either this diet, or being fat. I choose the first^^

[Asker]

Why not choose to be healthy? You won't be fat if you be healthy, honestly. If anything you'll gain more muscle mass, which is more attractive than skin and bones.

[Opinion Owner]

I honestly don't care about health, I wan't results :)

[Asker]

Plus your body needs at least some degree of fat in order to function properly. You don't have to be morbidly obese, but you do need at least a little fat in your flesh.

[Opinion Owner]

I know about all that, I really do. I just think the pain I feel, from looking like this, is far worse, than feeling physically Ill, from not getting enough nutrients :)

[Asker]

*sigh* Fine, I guess if you really want to kill yourself in that way, it's your choice. I can't do anything to stop you...

[Prof_Don]

Yes it does... libido is linked to overall health as well as hormones.

Under-eating affects both.