Hormones play a critical role in men’s bodies, but out-of-whack hormones can have a lot of unexpected side effects. This includes lowered libido, delayed orgasm, and erectile dysfunction.

Pituitary tumors can cause high prolactin levels, which lead to a host of sexual health problems, including low testosterone and erectile dysfunction. Cabergoline can increase orgasmic function and boost libido, but it’s only effective when taken under supervision by an endocrinology specialist.

What Is Cabergoline?

Cabergoline is a dopamine agonist that's primarily prescribed to treat hyperprolactinemia, but it also shows promise in treating male sexual dysfunction. It blocks the prolactin secreting cells in the pituitary gland and reduces the production of the hormone. This can improve orgasm, increase testosterone levels and decrease prostate growth, Hsieh explained in a poster presentation.

In the study, 131 men with delayed orgasm were treated for six months with either 0.5-1 mg of cabergoline or placebo. Orgasm was measured using a self-administered questionnaire and intravaginal ejaculatory latency test. The researchers found that cabergoline improved or restored orgasm in 68 of 131 men (86.4%) who took the drug. Concomitant testosterone replacement therapy significantly increased the likelihood of response.

This was not a randomized controlled trial, but the results were impressive. "It's a safe, effective treatment," Hsieh says. "And it's a very simple medication to use."

Cabergoline comes in the form of an oral tablet that can be taken with or without food two times a week. It is important to take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor, and to never share the medication with anyone else. The drug can interact with several other medications, including some over-the-counter drugs and supplements, so it's important to check with your pharmacist or medical doctor before starting any new drugs. You should seek emergency medical attention if you experience dizziness, headache or an allergic reaction to the drug such as hives, difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue.

How Does Cabergoline Work?

Cabergoline for Bodybuilding blocks the release of prolactin by binding to dopamine receptors in the brain. It works to help treat hyperprolactinemia, a condition in which the pituitary gland produces too much prolactin. When it is taken for this purpose, it lowers prolactin levels and relieves symptoms of high prolactin, such as excessive breast milk production and missed or irregular menstrual cycles in women and decreased sex drive in men. It can also improve fertility in men with large macroprolactinomas.

This drug comes as an oral tablet, and you should take it by mouth with or without food at the times your doctor recommends. Follow the directions on your prescription label, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. You should take this medication twice a week.

You should not take this drug if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or have uncontrolled high blood pressure or heart disease, as it may worsen these conditions. You should not take cabergoline if you have an allergy to any type of ergot medicine, such as dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, or methylergonovine, or if you have ever had hepatitis C or liver disease.

Cabergoline interacts with some medications, such as lorcaserin, metoclopramide, and prochlorperazine, and it may increase the absorption of drugs that are eliminated by the liver (such as erythromycin) or reduce their effectiveness. It is important to keep a list of all the medications you are taking—including nonprescription and herbal products—and share it with your doctor and pharmacist.

What Are the Side Effects of Cabergoline?

The hormone prolactin can cause issues for men when levels are too high, including reduced libido and anorgasmia. Cabergoline can reduce these symptoms by blocking the release of prolactin from the pituitary gland. A placebo-controlled study found that after 24 months of treatment, men with macroprolactinoma showed lowered PRL levels, tumor shrinkage, normalization of semen secretion, and restoration of pituitary function. These men also saw improvements in sex drive and orgasm.

The drug may work better in some men than others, as its effectiveness is based on the individual’s medical history. It is important to tell your doctor if you have a history of depression or anxiety, mood disorders, mental illness, schizophrenia, or suicidal thoughts. It is also important to tell your doctor about any other prescription or non-prescription drugs, vitamins, or herbal supplements you are taking. These can affect the way your body absorbs and processes cabergoline.

Cabergoline can sometimes cause dizziness and fainting when you stand up from a sitting or lying position too quickly. To prevent this side effect, try to rise slowly from a position and rest your feet on the floor for a few seconds before standing up. You should also be careful not to drink too much alcohol, as it can lower your blood pressure and increase your chances of falling down.

Do I Need a Prescription for Cabergoline?

Cabergoline is a dopamine agonist that balances prolactin and reduces pituitary tumor size. It's used in up to 95 percent of men with hyperprolactinemic symptoms and is a similar drug to bromocriptine, but works differently and has fewer side effects. It's also sometimes used to treat Parkinson's disease.

Before starting treatment with cabergoline, tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions or allergies. Also tell your doctor if you are taking other medications, including nonprescription drugs and herbal supplements. This medicine may interact with other medications, especially ergot medicines such as bromocriptine (Parlodel), dihydroergotamine (DHE 45, Migranal), ergonovine (Ergomar, Cafergot) and methysergide (Sansert).

Studies show that long-term cabergoline therapy improves sexual desire and performance in men with delayed orgasm or anorgasmia. It may even help to restore normal sperm health and testosterone levels.

If you have Medicare, you may be able to get cabergoline through a mail-order pharmacy that offers a 90-day supply of the medication for a low cost. You may need to call your Medicare plan provider to see if this option is available and to learn about any requirements you may have to meet to qualify. If you don't have insurance, there are many online pharmacies that can provide you with this medication for a much lower price than your local drugstore.