Light increases sex drive in men
A significant number of men over the age of 40 suffer from a decrease in sexual desire. According to the results of the conducted studies, this problem is noted by up to 25% of men, depending on age and other factors. Earlier, experts noticed that the level of sexual interest varies depending on the season, which led them to believe that the intensity of ambient light may contribute to the severity of sexual desire.
Italian scientists from the University of Siena, working under the guidance of Professor Andrea Fagiolini, analyzed sexual and physiological reactions to bright light. They found that regular use in the early morning of a light box emitting high intensity light at a distance of 1 meter from the cornea of the patient's eye provides both an increase in testosterone levels and an improvement in the quality of sexual life. Such devices are traditionally used in the therapy of seasonal affective disorder.
(If you want to self-medicate, please note: the light box must be equipped with a filter that delays the ultraviolet part of the spectrum!)
The study involved 38 men undergoing treatment for decreased sexual desire or impaired sexual arousal – conditions characterized by a lack of interest in sex. At the beginning of the study, the authors assessed the baseline level of interest of each of the participants in sexual activity, and also determined their testosterone levels.
After that, the men were divided into two groups. One group received standard therapy with (illumination of 10,000 lux), and the second (placebo group) – with illumination of 100 lux. Men of both groups underwent therapy shortly after waking up (between 7 and 8 a.m.) for 30 minutes a day. Two weeks later, the researchers re-evaluated their sexual satisfaction and testosterone levels.
Before the start of therapy, all participants assessed their level of sexual satisfaction at an average of 2 points out of 10, but after therapy, in men who received intense light exposure, this indicator increased to 6.3, that is, more than three times according to the scale used. At the same time, in the control group, the average value of this indicator after the use of therapy was only 2.7.
In addition, the authors found that active light exposure increased testosterone levels. In general, testosterone levels in the men of the control group did not change and averaged about 2.3 ng/ml of blood both at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. However, in men who underwent two weeks of active light therapy, this indicator increased from about 2.1 ng/ml to 3.6 ng/ml of blood.
Professor Fagiolini explains that an increase in testosterone levels is behind the increase in sexual satisfaction. In the inhabitants of the northern hemisphere, testosterone levels naturally decrease between November and April, after which they gradually increase during spring and summer and reach peak values in October. A reflection of this effect is the change in the birth rate, with the highest frequency of conception occurring in June. Thus, the light box simply reproduces the impact of the environment.
The authors note that the underlying mechanism of this phenomenon may have several explanations. For example, light therapy inhibits the pineal gland – a gland located in the center of the brain – which, in turn, can contribute to the production of more testosterone. In addition, other hormonal effects are possible.
They also warn that to date, this approach cannot yet be recommended for clinical use and needs larger clinical trials. It should also be remembered that some patients, for example, who have eye diseases or take medications that increase sensitivity to light (such as some antidepressants and antibiotics), should take certain precautions.
Traditional methods of treating sexual desire disorders are selected depending on the cause and usually include the use of testosterone injections, as well as the use of antidepressants and other medications. The authors believe that the results provided by light therapy can be no worse than the results of traditional treatment, in the absence of side effects caused by the latter.
The results of the work were presented at the 29th Annual Congress of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, held on September 17-20 in Vienna, Austria (Koukouna et al., Light therapy as a treatment for sexual dysfunction; focus on testosterone levels).
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru According to Medical News Today: Men's sex drive could be boosted with light therapy.
21.09.2016