Bicuspid aortic valve and low libido?

[ShaneD5]

Hi I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and I've noticed about 2 years ago that I have very little to no sex drive. When I'm alone I never get fully erect, and I always lose my erection fast. My last time with a girl was exactly a year ago and I couldn't get an erection and it made for an embarrassing moment. I don't date solely for that reason now. Me being only 22 you can imagine how frustrating and embarrassing it is for me.

Now, could this be due to my BAV? I get seen yearly for it and it's been stable thus far. I'm finally thinking I should go to my doctor, but I'm way too embarrassed to. Could this be due to a heart issue?

 

[pellicle]

I would suggest that it is most likely related to other issues. I recommend you consider seeking appropriate counseling about it as to be honest its something which can be dealt with by the right therapist. I was born BAV and have had some operations to repair or replace my aortic valve. The most simple issue could be at play here and so I suggest that a good psychologist would be your first best step.

 

[ski girl]

Go see your GP. No need to be embarrassed - they get all sorts of questions and it's their job to deal with this kind of stuff. There are numerous medical problems that could be causing your issues and you shouldn't be suffering in silence when someone can help!

 

[Agian]

Not to mention medication side-effects.

 

[big_L]

It could be any number of things. The medical community has figured out that those that need Viagra also may be well on the way to coronary artery disease. Blockage and poor flow doesn't just affect the heart.

It could be related to your valve, but I'd guess that you'd be having other issues, such as lightheadedness with exertion.

What did your last echo look like? Where are you with the stenosis (mild, moderate, severe, or critical)? What's your ejection fraction?

 

[epstns]

Not to argue with Pellicle - he may have something, but I would first go to the internist/GP doc. Just close your eyes and talk to the doc as if they are not there. They can take a medical history, do any needed exams and tests and help you to get your life back on track. Sometimes something as basic as medication side effects are the cause, sometimes other issues. The best way to get to the bottom of the issue is to see a medical professional. If there are no medical causes noted, then you can seek counseling (but since you also describe problems when alone, it may be physical/medical rather than psychological in nature).

 

[pellicle]

Not to argue with Pellicle - he may have something, but I would first go to the internist/GP doc.

err ... well personally I always think more ideas that are different to mine when examining a problem are only beneficial

I was initially going to write (but was hesitant) that a good guide to if the issues is physiological or psychological is to identify if the usual night time erections are occuring.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nocturnal_penile_tumescence

there is a simple test for this. In the interests of modesty I will leave you to discuss this with your GP (whom I imagined you would see first, to identify appropriate counseling as that's how its done in Australia).

 

[jmstallard]

Other than those awkward, horn-dog teenager years (...how silly we acted back then), I've always had a fairly low sex drive, and that hasn't changed even though I have a new valve. My Cardiologist didn't think it was linked to my condition. I came to the conclusion that some people just want/need it less. Considering how poorly people can act when looking for sex (affairs, disease, pregnancy, violence, etc.), maybe it's not such a bad thing. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[tom in MO]

A healthy sex life is good for your mind, your body, particularly your prostate, and your soul. IMHO, a loss of libido and failure to achieve an erection is "such a bad thing." I would go see your GP. They could send you to an urologist.

A failure to achieve an erection can be heart related, but not the loss of libido. One source of both problems could be low or no testosterone. In some men the testes stop producing testosterone at the correct levels or stop producing it completely. In these cases taking testosterone supplements will restore both the libido and erections. The TV commercials are about old men, where low T levels are to be expected even normal; these men are trying to turn back the clock. However it is not uncommon for younger men to be struck by the problem, called hypogonadism. In these cases it is a tragic disease that needs treatment. For hypogonanidism, there are on-line questionnaires that can give you a good idea if you have the correct set of symptoms.

 

[ShaneD5]

Thanks for the replies everyone. So I should see my GP first then? And he'll do blood work I guess?

To answer what my last echo looked like, this was the summary from back in July of this year:

Tricuspid valve was normal. There is trivial tricuspid valve regurgitation
Left and right atrium both normal in size
Right ventricle is normal size, systolic shortening is low normal.
Trivial mitral valve regurgitation.
Left ventricle systolic shortening is qualitatively mildly diminished. LV ejection fraction 48% by 3D volume
No pulmonary valve stenosis; trace pulmonary valve regurgitation

Aortic valve is a trileaflet and with fusion of the right and left coronary cusps. There is no aortic valve stenosis. Mild aortic valve regurgitation. Ao root diam: 3.8 cm Z score 1.29


I clearly have an abnormal echo, so is it possible that could be affecting my sex drive?

 

[AZ Don]

Yes, go see your GP. I doubt the issue is related to your valve. Common causes are: medication side effects, heart disease (of the arteries), and hormone issues. FYI, many people are seriously deficient in Vitamin D and it plays a prominent role in regulating other hormones (including Testosterone). Ask your GP to test your Testosterone levels (free and total) as well as vitamin D.

 

[pellicle]

Hi

I clearly have an abnormal echo, so is it possible that could be affecting my sex drive?

my opinion is that "only from the perspective that it weighs on your mind"

go get the tests as a starter and ask your Doctor about who you can speak to. Its not a joke and its not a shameful thing. Just go work through it.

Of course my opinion could be wrong, which is why I encourage you to go to your Dr, start investigations, get some facts and work from there.

The journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step...

 

[big_L]

I'm no Dr, but I'd say your echo results aren't that bad. The words severe or critical are not seen.

I'd +1 on the comments - get to the Dr.

 

[epstns]

And when you go to the doctor, don't be bashful. Be as direct as you can. Nothing you discuss with a doctor goes beyond the two of you unless it is related to your treatment. As you get older (and as you go through open heart surgery) you will become much more comfortable discussing body parts and functions with medical professionals. Heck, there are things I've discussed with my doctors that I don't discuss with my wife (and not just about money). They can only help when you give them all the information you have. They can then use that information, along with their own interview and exam results, to try to localize the problem and develop a treatment plan that will put you back where you want to be.

I could probably say a lot more, but it is not for an open forum. If you need/want to discuss further, PM me.

 

[tom in MO]

I second Steve "don't be bashful". AZDon is correct, you'd be suprised what can effect your libido and erections, be direct and open. If your doctor cannot handle it, find a new one. Don't suffer in silence, an active sex life is good and normal.

 

[Allan.L]

How were your erections before you were diagnosed? Had you slept with a woman before you were diagnosed and functioned normally? Can you achieve erections when you are alone?

My guess would be depression, anxiety, hormonal imbalance, or all three. Talk to your doctor openly about any symptoms you are feeling and they should be able to refer to you a specialist. Also, dwelling on this issue can make it worse, it is highly dependent on your state of mind (ie performance anxiety). The questions I asked you above would be things to think about and talk to your doctor about.

Hi I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and I've noticed about 2 years ago that I have very little to no sex drive. When I'm alone I never get fully erect, and I always lose my erection fast. My last time with a girl was exactly a year ago and I couldn't get an erection and it made for an embarrassing moment. I don't date solely for that reason now. Me being only 22 you can imagine how frustrating and embarrassing it is for me.

Now, could this be due to my BAV? I get seen yearly for it and it's been stable thus far. I'm finally thinking I should go to my doctor, but I'm way too embarrassed to. Could this be due to a heart issue?

 

[Rick]

Shane,
Just a message of encouragement. Many people suffer from different things, heart-related and otherwise and unfortunately some things happen at any age. I have a friend who, for instance, in his early 30s was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Having said this, many things are treatable though they may take courage. For you, this may mean the courage to share something that to you find embarrassing with an MD -- chances are you will get someone who through his or her years as a physician has probably seen or heard it all and your concerns will likely appear to be less of a big deal to him than they are to you.

In terms of how important this is, you've heard the opinion from one person to whom it is not a bid deal (JM) and another to whom it is (Tom), though I get the sense that all the other fellas who have written here understand what you are saying and are looking to be supportive. Have hope that this will be treatable and get yourself to an MD for a good open chat. Keep in mind that you are for certain not the only 22 year old with these issues; share what you need to share (write it and hand it to the MD if easier for you) with the MD; and then follow his directions.

Best of luck to you.

Rick