I have been able to find a fish oil brand which I can take in larger quantities (Double Strength Fish Oil by GNC). I currently take three fish oil pills in the morning and three at lunch (EPA 360mg and DHA 240mg in each tablet). I take a multivitamin in the morning and I take Magnesium Citrate 200mg and Calcium Citrate 630mg/Vitamin D 400IU at lunch and dinner. I also take Zinc Gluconate 30mg (chelated) at bedtime. I had taken birth control (triphasic) for 13 years, and had my hormone levels checked (I am 37 years old). My testosterone level was low : Total Testosterone 18 reference 11-56 and free Testosterone 1.8, range 1.3-9.3. My SHBG was 73 , reference range 30-135. I would like to get pregnant with my first child so I am reluctant to try supplemental testosterone. I have been taking the above supplements for about 2 months. Any feedback to help with the above? I know in the past that you have commented that the diet does not work well with hormone abnormalities.

You definitely don't want to go on T treatment if you are trying to get pregnant. Your low free T will limit your response, however.

I'd say the best you can do is try to get your SHBG down to the low normal range, to use the low T your body does have. So you have to be stricter than most women in your diet, try to avoid starchy and sugary carbs as much as possible.

Natural ways to increase total testosterone are to make sure you get good fats in your diet-saturated and monounsaturated fats, and also to put on muscle. Even putting on a little weight might help.

What sort of response have you experienced?

I think it is a bit easier for me to have clitoral orgasms, but overall my arousal has remained lukewarm. Prior to my time taking oral contraceptives, I had no problems with vaginal lubrication, but now this takes some work. I started the oc in my early twenties so maybe this is also a function of my age. I have never had a vaginal orgasm, but while on oral contraceptives I was able to have a G spot orgasm with masterbation (though this is was a one time thing that I have yet to be able to recreate). I have had a bit of infrequent vaginal orgasms during my sleep since being on the diet which I consider a good sign because these were somewhat frequent before I started the oral contraceptives. I do think that I have lost a bit of confidence sexually, or I have become a bit avoidant of sex because of my frustrations. My partner and I have been together for many years, and he is very supportive. I do use the Gyneflex (pink levels)
once a week. When I switched to the higher resistance I started to have more vaginal sensations, but this seemed to evaporate and I don't know if this is due to some anxiety. I also recently bought a g-spot wand toy and was able to get aroused, but have yet to have a orgasm. I do think I have more energy overall with the fish oil supplements, so I try to focus on this and not my frustrations with it all.

If you are able to have vaginal orgasms during sleep, please continue with the Gyneflex! You should be able to acquire that ability, although that can take more than a couple months to realize.

But of course the main issue is arousal. That really is a testosterone issue. You are in a difficult situation, with the low T.

The only other natural ways I know to raise T are in men. Men's testosterone, believe it or not, is also influenced by their activities. I have no idea whether this applies to women. I'd say the best bet for something like that would be to try for olfactory stimulation. If possible, be around your partner right after he works out, after he has worked up a sweat. Theoretically, smelling male sweat from exercise should help stimulate a woman's testosterone. It also might help if he sleeps with you naked, or at least shirtless. Men's T responds to playing sports, even watching sports, being competitive.

I'm grasping at straws there, but it couldn't hurt to try, I suppose.

Thanks Marrena for your reply and the suggestions. I will try being stricter on the diet, and the other advice about raising testosterone levels. Your book and this website are invaluable sources of information for people like myself struggling with this issues. Hopefully, I will have some progress to report in the coming months.