Cabergoline for Men: Is It Good for Sexual Health?
Wondering about cabergoline for men’s sexual health? Here’s everything you need to know.
Hormones are important for physical health and daily function. Men depend on them to keep them muscular, hard, fertile, awake, and hungry — so when something goes wrong, the body doesn’t work as it should.
Out-of-whack hormones can mess with your health, your mental state, your erections, and even your hair. Medications like cabergoline might help.
Keep reading for detailed insight into cabergoline for men.
What Is Cabergoline for Men?
Cabergoline is a dopamine receptor agonist. The medication is prescribed to treat high levels of the hormone prolactin (a condition known as hyperprolactinemia).
High prolactin can cause health issues like infertility, bone loss, low testosterone, and sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction (ED) and delayed ejaculation.
Some men might use cabergoline without a prescription to improve their sexual function, though cabergoline recreational use isn’t recommended.
Cabergoline therapy may restore normal hormonal function in those with high levels of prolactin. But more research is needed to confirm whether the medication can benefit men without prolactin-related conditions.
We’ll sort rumours from the facts below, then explain how cabergoline is used and how it can help your sexual health. We’ll also cover cabergoline side effects and dosage guidelines you should know to stay safe if you choose to use this medication.
What Is High Prolactin?
Prolactin is a hormone released by the pituitary gland, which is part of the body’s endocrine system. The pea-sized gland is located at the base of the brain. In women, prolactin regulates lactation (milk production for breastfeeding).
Less is known about the function of prolactin in men, although some research suggests the hormone may play a role in shaping paternal behaviour. In one study, prolactin levels rose by roughly 20 percent in men during the first three weeks of the postpartum period — that is, the first few weeks of fatherhood.
Interestingly, men who had the strongest desire to comfort their crying infants were found to have the highest prolactin levels and the greatest reduction in testosterone.
Outside the postpartum period, certain medications or prolactin-secreting tumours called pituitary adenomas can cause high prolactin levels. This is the case with prolactinoma, a non-cancerous tumour in the pituitary gland.
Health Effects of High Prolactin
These high levels can lead to numerous health issues like low testosterone, infertility, bone loss, breast pain, breast tenderness, and milk production from the breast unrelated to pregnancy or lactation.
Researchers think these symptoms happen because prolactin partially blocks gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). This causes a decrease in luteinizing hormone levels and low serum testosterone levels.
In men, high levels of prolactin can also result in a number of sexual problems, including:
Reduced libido
Erectile dysfunction
Delayed ejaculation
That’s why some men seek treatment for high prolactin, such as cabergoline.
Cabergoline Uses for Men
Cabergoline is a dopamine agonist primarily prescribed to hyperprolactinemic men (those who have high levels of prolactin). Cabergoline is also sometimes used to treat Parkinson’s disease.
The medication reduces the amount of prolactin in the body by essentially telling dopamine receptors to cut back, which can help to improve these symptoms.
Studies show that cabergoline is highly successful. It balances prolactin in up to 95 percent of patients and reduces pituitary tumour size by about 90 percent while controlling symptoms of excess prolactin.
Cabergoline is similar to another dopamine receptor agonist called bromocriptine. That said, many people prefer cabergoline because it’s associated with fewer side effects.
How successfully does cabergoline treat the sexual problems mentioned above? Keep reading to find out.
Cabergoline for Reduced Libido
High prolactin levels are associated with a reduced libido (low sex drive).
In a 2019 study, researchers compared the effects of cabergoline to bromocriptine in 18 male patients and 39 female patients with excess prolactin secretion. After 16 weeks of treatment, those taking bromocriptine saw no changes in their sexual functioning from baseline.
But in the group taking cabergoline, all patients saw increases in sexual desire. Men also saw improvements in erectile and orgasmic function.
An older placebo-controlled study from 2003 found similar results in men with manipulated prolactin levels. When cabergoline was used to decrease prolactin in healthy men, there were improvements in all aspects of sexual drive and function.
Cabergoline also significantly enhanced the positive aspects of the refractory period, such as a feeling of sexual release and relaxation after sex. (The refractory period is how long after ejaculating before men can get another erection firm enough for sex.)
But when men were given medication to lower their prolactin levels, the sexual side effects from cabergoline went away.
Cabergoline for Erectile Dysfunction
Some research suggests cabergoline can improve symptoms of erectile dysfunction, though the drug’s efficacy varies across different studies.
Erectile dysfunction is a condition that makes it difficult to get or maintain an erection hard enough or long enough for satisfying sex. There are many potential causes of ED, which can be physiological and mental (sometimes called psychogenic erectile dysfunction or PED).
Results from a 2007 study with 50 men show that cabergoline significantly improved orgasmic function in those dealing with psychological or psychogenic ED and ED in general. Still, larger placebo-controlled studies are needed to confirm this finding.
An even older study from 2003 found that six months of treatment with cabergoline normalised testosterone levels and erectile function in men with high prolactin levels. These positive results were indicated by more nocturnal erections (while sleeping) or instances of morning wood.
Cabergoline has also been effective in improving erectile dysfunction in patients who unsuccessfully tried common ED medications like sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra Connect®). These prescription drugs work for a lot of men, but not everyone.
Cabergoline can fail in rare cases too.
In a 2015 case study, a man with high prolactin levels and low T (shorthand for low testosterone) started cabergoline and testosterone therapy but saw no improvement in his prolactin levels or erectile function. He ended up turning to a vacuum device to achieve erections.
Cabergoline for Delayed Ejaculation
Cabergoline has also been linked to the effective treatment of delayed orgasm — a condition sometimes called orgasmic disorder, anorgasmia, or delayed ejaculation.
A 2016 analysis of 131 men treated with cabergoline saw marked improvements in their ability to orgasm with minimal side effects. Interestingly, the results weren’t affected by patients’ age or disorders.
A smaller study of 43 men found that after 24 months of treatment, cabergoline helped hyperprolactinemic patients increase the quality and volume of seminal fluid.
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Side Effects of Cabergoline for Men
Like all medications, cabergoline can cause adverse effects. It’s important to be aware of these and seek medical advice before starting treatment.
Some of the most common cabergoline side effects include:
Fatigue
Nausea or vomiting
Constipation or diarrhoea
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Headaches
Abdominal pain
Dry mouth
Changes in blood pressure
Insomnia
It’s also crucial to talk to your healthcare provider about any medications or supplements you’re taking for blood pressure or mental health.
Cabergoline can lower blood pressure and cause psychiatric symptoms of depression and anxiety. You should also tell your provider if you have a cardiovascular issue like heart valve disease or fibrosis (excess tissue growth).
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience severe side effects like:
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Chest pain
Swelling in your legs
In short, be vigilant and don’t be afraid to ask about possibly adjusting or changing your prescription. Your provider may switch you to a low dose of cabergoline or recommend another medication.
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Cabergoline for Men Dosage
Cabergoline is typically taken orally in tablet form. The exact dosage and duration of therapy will depend on the specific condition being treated and other individual factors. For instance, your age and overall health may affect your dosage.
Typically, the starting dose of cabergoline for men is 0.25 milligrams (mg) to be taken twice a week for orgasmic dysfunction. Your healthcare provider will adjust your dose based on how effective it is for you and the side effects you experience.
The dosing range varies by condition. For example, when treating Parkinson’s disease, the starting dose is typically 0.5 milligrams daily but may go as high as 11.5 milligrams if needed.
Just because the top of the range is that high doesn’t mean you should feel comfortable altering your dose without oversight. Never exceed the recommended dosage prescribed by your healthcare provider, and only take the medication as directed.
You should also continue taking cabergoline for as long as your healthcare provider instructs — even if your symptoms improve. Why? Stopping the medication abruptly can lead to a rebound increase in prolactin levels and worsened symptoms.
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A Final Word on Cabergoline for Men
If you’re struggling with prolactin imbalances, cabergoline may have already been on your radar. In many cases, men can see benefits from the safe use of cabergoline under the supervision of a healthcare professional, such as an endocrinology specialist.
But you shouldn’t use cabergoline recreationally, no matter what hot tips you come across on Reddit.
Here’s a recap of what we know about cabergoline treatment for men:
High prolactin levels can cause low testosterone and a range of sexual side effects in men. Symptoms include reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, and delayed orgasm.
Certain types of sexual dysfunction may also see benefits from cabergoline. Cabergoline treatment may increase orgasmic function, boost sexual desire, and treat medical conditions like testosterone deficiency in men.
This medication could cause serious health problems if taken without supervision or not as directed. Follow your provider’s directions when taking cabergoline, and never use it without a prescription. More research is needed to determine whether the benefits of cabergoline extend to men with conditions unrelated to prolactin levels and Parkinson’s.
If you’re suffering from ED and looking for solutions, you have better options at your disposal than taking cabergoline. There are FDA-approved ED medications like sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (generic for Cialis Together®), avanafil (Stendra®), and vardenafil (Levitra®).
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There are also premature ejaculation treatments available that can help with problems beyond what cabergoline is designed for.
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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your GP about the risks and benefits of any treatment.