[sourpuss]

Ok, so we just went out to eat & he said that he thinks his sex drive might be low because he's not been eating meat. Is that possible?

[Mes T]

Well... does he mean he thinks he's not getting the required iron and protein from other foods?

If he has a bad diet in general, that could certainly contribute to general bad health, but not exclusively sex drive.

[WildChild]

Did a quick search, here's some excepts of what I found:

"Bananas are rich in riboflavin and other B vitamins that are known to increase testosterone levels and libido. Avocados have high doses of folic acid and B6, both of which are known to increase the production of the male hormone. Raw oysters, which are kind of a cliché when it comes to increasing libido, actually have a high concentration of zinc, which enhances the male sex drive through increased sperm production and testosterone levels. Other foods that include vitamins and minerals helpful in increasing testosterone levels include eggs, asparagus and liver. "

"Men who have a diet rich with monounsaturated fats have higher testosterone levels than other men. Peanuts are a great source of monounsaturated fats, but other types of nuts like almonds and pecans are also rich in this type of fat"

"One important component of a diet to increase testosterone levels involves eating at regular intervals. When you go long spans of time without eating, your body does not have enough calories to produce testosterone"

"Men who eat diets that are too rich in protein may have trouble increasing their testosterone levels, according to a Penn State research study. Rather than loading up on protein shakes, protein bars and foods high in protein, keep your protein intake to about 16 percent of your daily caloric intake."

[sourpuss]

"One important component of a diet to increase testosterone levels involves eating at regular intervals. When you go long spans of time without eating, your body does not have enough calories to produce testosterone"

Ah ha! When he eats, it's healthy. But there are times (actually almost every day) that he won't eat anything but a banana until 3 or 4 in the afternoon. I know for a fact that I eat twice as much as he does, and I'm a girl and 30 pounds lighter. I wouldn't be surprised if he ate less than 1500 calories a day on most days.

[CHANDLERS WISH]

Man, how can you go a whole day with nothing until late afternoon and then it's a banana?

How the heck do you have energy? You don't.

I am 65k but i was 71 for quite a while which is okay, it's the weight for my height, Australian 12, now I am 10... And, I can tell you, that I didn't each much and I did not have energy at all..

Mind you, I just have to lay on my side, back, and he can do all the work so it doesn't matter... (just kidding...

[sourpuss]

I know! I constantly ask him if he's hungry or wants something to eat, it drives me nuts. He just went so long being pretty poor, or traveling in 3rd world countries that he got used to not eating very much. (at least that's what he always says) I'm sure that has a lot to do with it, now that I've read a bit about it. He also smokes and has had a round of chemotherapy (to kill off a parasite he got in Africa apparently), which both contribute to low testosterone.

hmm....how to broach the subject....

[CHANDLERS WISH]

Well You can't go out with a smoker, knowingly and the "make them quit". That something he has to do when he's ready. But if he smokes alot, it also makes you very tired...

But if he had chemotherapy recently, wow, that must have surely knocked his body around something shocking..

I'd hang about and just let him get all of that out of his system first, tell him that yes, you agree, it could be iron deficiency but also lack of nutrients, proper food, salads, nuts, vegetables etc and that now that he is back, it's in his best interest cause you laugh so much at him ( I mean with him), when he's full of energy and it's not good for him in the long run, he'll run himself down and get sick...

CW

[Hopeless Dork]

There are vegetarian men with a healthy sex drive but they are watching their nutrition. Lack of some of the stuff meat easily absorbs into the body I am sure would definitely have an effect on sex drive, zinc, protein, iron..etc.

At least... Thank GOD, he is willing to take a look at what may be causing part of the problem.. looking into the problem means he might be willing to work toward a solution and not just resigning himself (and you) to no sex.

Alcohol, diet, lack of sleep, stress, depression, medicaitons to treat depression, anxiety, malnutrition all of those things and more can be affecting his drive.

[Ashlee T.]

I'm glad he's sharing his thoughts with you regarding the lack of drive. And it's a great sign that he's trying to identify in himself what might be causing it. Another reason for you to remember to not take it personally like you're not girlie or pretty enough. Ya right!

Most definitely the combination of those things could be creating a problem for him. It sounds like he's leading a very unhealthy lifestyle. Not eating and depriving your body of the calories and nutrients it needs to survive, is a horrible thing to do to your body. And most definitely your body will begin to fight back and say "HEY, I'm not going to continue working for you for free!!".

Also, the smoking. Many people who are addicted to smoking will tell you that it tremendously curbs the appetite. That's why a lot of people who quit gain weight because all of a sudden they're hungry again. As CW said too, smoking can wear you down energy wise. Research shows that smoking in men can cause impotency. Nothing I read really discusses libido, but definitely discusses smoking potentially causing inability to get an erection.

You're a health nut. What are you doing with a deep fried twinkie? HEHE!!!

[admmck81]

I have to concur about other posts about the past. If I ever lost interest in sex (not that it would happen) it would have to do with me and my SO and nothing else. There is a reason he's lost interest. Perhaps that "kinky" sex made him lose interest in vanilla sex. I'm not saying this is the case, but in my experience, when your SO stops wanting sex from you, it's often that they are getting it elsewhere. Not saying he's definitely cheating, just the usual reason why a man stops wanting sex from the woman he's dating or is married to. If he truly lost interest in sex altogether, though, I am not sure. He should probably see a sex therapist. And if you are open to it, a sex surrogate. He may be traumatized from all that kinky stuff then no longer having any of that. But I don't understand how getting someone pregnant would have anything to do with this. How did he get a girl pregnant that he never had sex with? But again, I would definitely suggest you have him seek a therapist, pronto. If you gave up on the relationship that's fine, but he seriously needs therapy.