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Sex drive, Decreased; And Anhedonia

Sex drive, Decreased; And Anhedonia

These patients frequently suffer from a diminished interest in sex, or decreased enjoyment of sex. As far as survival goes, it is certainly a luxury function. It is necessary for propagation and continuation of the species, but is not critical for the day to day survival in the way that food and water are. Being a luxury or expendable function, it is one of the first things to go when one goes into conservation mode. In other words, with the onset of Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome, decreased libido is a very common finding. It can also be one of the last things to return in the course of proper thyroid therapy. Nevertheless, sometimes the change in sex drive or returning of the sex drive with treatment can be dramatic. Some patients comment that they have forgotten over the years what it felt like to have a normal sex drive and helps them to remember what it was like to be young, and it helps them to have more empathy for the younger generation and the issues and circumstances which they face.

I remember one patient who had such a dramatic increase in her sex drive with normalization of her body temperature patterns, that she was, as she says, literally “beside herself,” especially since her lover was to be out of town for another week. Of course, this is an extreme but many patients relate that their husbands (and husbands relate personally) are quite happy about being “attacked” by their wives for the first time in a long time.

Another patient had been having uncomfortable, if not painful intercourse for months. She was only 26 years old, but after the death of a pet for which she cared deeply (her dog), she developed a constellation of symptoms consistent with Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome together with sexual intercourse becoming more and more uncomfortable, even painful. This disturbing complaint did not respond well to treatment by her gynecologist. When the patient was referred to me from her gynecologist, it was suspected that she might have been suffering from Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome. Two weeks after therapy was initiated, all of her symptoms had resolved completely, without exception, and she and her husband were both very pleased about her first sexual encounter without pain in many months (possibly years).

Anhedonia is a decreased or complete lack of the capacity to enjoy life, causing people to be unable to even find enjoyment in the things they used to find interesting.

For example, a once avid golfer who may go through a surgery or the death of a loved one or some other significant stress, may develop a constellation of symptoms characteristic of Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome. He might be so fatigued, depressed, and tired that he may no longer have any desire or interest in golf, even though he once found it extremely enjoyable. This lack of interest in a formerly favorite pastime might persist even after the emotional trauma or physical trauma has passed. All other things in his life remain the same. He may have a great family life, a great marriage, great children, great job, and satisfaction in the other aspects of his life. However, his huge lack of interest in his favorite pastime may persist, even though he is physically capable. When the body temperature patterns were normalized in one such patient, his interest returned together with the resolution of other of his typical symptoms of Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome.