I know this is an old thread but I felt compelled to add my 2 cents.
1. Do you think that low testosterone caused your depression or the other way around?
I am quite certain that low testosterone caused my severe depression and anxiety. I first started getting tired all the time, and weak in the gym. I had my T tested and it was low, but no doctor I saw would do anything about the T problem. Over a period of 3-4 years, I declined to being a complete nightmare. I wasn't myself, was severely depressed and had panic attacks. I eventually ended up in psychiatry and told the psychiatrist that I had low T. He told me that low T can definitely cause anxiety and depression, but not necessarily the other way around. He said they have thousands of men with clinical depression and anxiety with normal T levels. That being said, it took me YEARS and paying for a private doctor before I could start T treatment. I've been on HRT for about 6 weeks now and am seeing some improvement, but it's slow.
2. Do you think that any meds you were taking for depression created any kind of sexual dysfunctions?
Definitely. I was on 5 different anti-depressants and they all made me sick as a dog. Nausea, vomiting, hospital visits, dilated pupils and hospital visits. I had depersonalization/derealization that would make your head spin. Not only that, but these medications total messed up my digestive system for months.
I was also on three different benzodiazepines for the anxiety and these had serious emotional effects. I felt a loss of cognitive ability and complete apathy. I also had serious lack of inhibition which lead to some unfortunate consequences.
3. Any tips for guys going through the same thing? Did anything make a big difference? (For some of you it may be testosterone!)
This all started slowly and progressed into an absolute nightmare. The entire time, we knew my T was low by several tests, but nothing was ever done about it. The psychiatric route absolutely made everything worse for me.
My advice: Listen to your body. You know the difference between feeling a little down or discouraged and "holy crap, my body and mind are completely falling apart here". If you feel weak, tired, depressed, anxious and you were not that way before, something has changed and it may not just be in your head. Get a couple of testosterone tests (more than one is good to confirm). Don't let your doctor tell you that you're "normal" because you score 310 when the range is 300-1000. You need to take into consideration your age when looking at these numbers. For guys 30-50 years old, you're wanting around 500-1000. If your T is low, try lifestyle changes to boost your T naturally (exercise, diet, etc) then retest. If your still low and symptoms persist, and certainly if you are over 40 years old, go to a HRT clinic where the doctors specialize in this area. They will do the proper testing and follow up. Most doctors, including endocrinologists and urologists, have no idea about low T and it's devastating effects, nor how to treat you properly, you will be turned away and eventually end up in a psychiatrists office, then the true hell will begin.
Most importantly, DONT GIVE UP. Tell yourself every day that you are in a trial and there will eventually be a solution. Keep pushing and searching.
