Hostname: page-component-7479d7b7d-8zxtt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-11T11:38:32.476Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Libido and Hormones

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2014

Domenico Canale  and
Stefania Pistoia
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Libido is the drive to have a sexual activity. Gonadal hormones play a major role in activating and maintaining libido in both men and women. Other hormones, though, interact with them in influencing sexuality, such as prolactin and also brain neurotransmitters. The role of hormones declines with age and sexuality becomes more mind-induced. Nevertheless, some aspects of sexuality remain linked to hormones. For example, a reduction of central arousability is typical of hypogonadal state. However, it is not clear at what level of androgen deficiency the loss of libido begins and if adequate external stimuli can overcome a partial deficiency.

Type
Feature Articles
Information
CNS Spectrums , Volume 5 , Issue 8: Neuroscientific Approach to Emotions and Feelings: The Last Frontier of the New Millennium , August 2000 , pp. 21 - 23
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1.Davidson, JM, Camargo, C, Smith, ER. Effects of androgen on sexual behavior in hypogonadal men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1979;48:955–958.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2.Ansong, KS, Punwaney, RB. An assessment of the clinical relevance of serum testosterone level determination in the evaluation of men with low sexual drive. J Urol. 1999;162:719–721.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3.Rabkin, JG, Ferrando, SJ, Wagner, GJ, et al.DHEA treatment for HIV+ patients: effects on mood, androgenic and anabolic parameters. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2000;25:53–68.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Pfaff, DW. Hormones, genes, and behavior. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1997;94:14213–14216.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5.Carani, C, Rochira, V, Faustini-Faustini, M, et al.Role of oestrogen in male sexual behavior: insights from the natural model of aromatase deficiency. Clin Endocrinol. 1999;51:517–524.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6.Franks, S, Jacobs, HS, Marti, N, et al.Hyperprolactinemia and impotence. Clin Endocrinol. 1978;8:277–287.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7.Doherty, PC, Bartke, A, Smith, MS. Differential effects of bromocriptine treatment on LH release and copulatory behavior in hyperprolactinemic male rats. Horm Behav. 1981;15:436–450.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8.Kruger, T, Exton, MS, Pawlak, C, et al.Neuroendocrine and cardiovascular response to sexual arousal and orgasm in men. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 1998;23:401–411.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9.Brown, E, Brown, GM, Kofman, O, et al.Sexual function and affect in parkinsonian men treated with L-dopa. Am J Psychiatry. 1978;135:1552–1555.Google ScholarPubMed
10.Hyppa, M, Rinne, UK, Souninen, V. The activating effect of L-Dopa treatment on sexual functions and its background. Acta Neurol Scand. 1970;46:223–224.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11.Hull, EM, Lorrain, DS, Du, J, et al.Hormone-neurotransmitter interactions in the control of sexual behavior. Behav Brain Res. 1999;105:105–116.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12.Tagliamonte, A, Fratta, W, Gessa, GL. Aphrodisiac effect of L-DOPA and apomorphine in male sexually sluggish rats. Experientia. 1974;30:381.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13.Matsumoto, T, Kondo, Y, Sachs, BD, et al.Effects of pchlorophenylalanine on reflexive and noncontact penile erections in male rats. Physiol Behav. 1997;61:165–168.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14.Meyerson, BJ, Malmnas, CO, Everitt, BJ. Reproduction. In: Adler, N, Pfaff, D, Goy, RW, eds. Handbook of Behavioral Neurobiohgy. Vol III. New York, NY: Plenum Press; 1984:495–536.Google Scholar
15.Lal, S, Laryea, E, Thavundayil, JX, et al.Apomorphine-induced penile tumescence in impotent patients: preliminary findings. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 1987;11:235–252.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16.Rauch, SL, Shin, LM, Dougherty, DD, et al. Neural activation during sexual and competitive arousal in healthy men. Psychiatry Res. 1999;9:1–10.CrossRefGoogle Scholar