Serotonin level isn't the end-all measure to consider here. You can have all the serotonin possible, but without the right type and number of serotonin receptors, and in the right brain regions, you could still have a serotonin dysfunction.
When you raise serotonin levels, the number of some, if not all, serotonin receptors will decrease - including the autoreceptor that provides feedback to the serotonin-releasing cell. The number of serotonin transporters may also be affected, as well as the enzymes needed for synthesizing serotonin in the first place.
Add to this the idea that the serotonin receptors that are being affected by the release of serotonin reside on other neurons that themselves release glutamate, GABA, dopamine, etc.; changes to the serotoin system thereby cause a myriad of downstream effects, only a few of which we have an understanding of.
To measure your serotonin levels (by an indirect measure that isn't entirely reliable unless you want to keep a small tube in your brain in multiple areas 24/7!) would tell us little about (1) how it has changed from before you were taking fish oil because we didn't measure it then, nor (2) what downstream effects may or may not have occurred since you started taking fish oil.
I need to take a glance at those studies on fish oil and serotonin levels. Don't get me wrong, my understanding of fish oil is that it has plenty of good effects. But I want to see how conclusive the studies are regarding "serotonin levels" and all. Did ALL subjects show an increase in serotonin levels (which were measured how?) For how long was the effect apparent - did the study continue long enough to show that the effect is long-term? Or does the body adjust and begin to return to its pre-fish-oil levels? Etc.
I can't get to it now, but perhaps in a few hours.
I should explain my hypothesis and experience better. My hypothesis is that female sexuality, on a physiological level is improved by four things:
1.) The right balance of neurotransmitters, and this is obviously very ballpark, I'm not sawing open women's skulls--high dopamine and moderate and steady serotonin
2.) Robust free testosterone, or in other words high normal total testosterone and very low (but healthy level) of SHBG.
3.) Good circulation, particularly genital circulation. This is more important for men than women, for obvious reasons, but women need it too.
4.) As an added bonus, for a woman to have vaginal orgasmic ability, strong PC muscle tone
I was working backwards on this; I suddenly developed spontaneous vaginal orgasmic ability and worked backwards to find the cause, isolating the things that contributed. It was pretty easy to test because I could reliably have orgasms at any time within a minute or less of flexing. I had other women try the diet, they had an improvement in libido, some developing vaginal orgasmic ability for the first time, and several reaching my level. My first thought was to give this to an FSD doctor to study, and of course I am still trying to do that, but after a while I realized if I wasn't out there telling women, no one would.
Anyhow, the fish oil increases dopamine. I have rodent autopsy studies and other studies showing this. I'm not sure about long-term studies. Fish oil also increases serotonin, which is good because I don't want women depressed, but the important thing is that it increases both at the same time, like Wellbutrin, so libido is preserved.
Fish oil also obviously improves circulation. There is also some indication that it can help with T levels, but that is speculative at this point, there isn't a study.
The diet also includes the RDA of calcium/magnesium/zinc because zinc lowers SHBG. I also tell women to avoid transfats and omega-6 fatty acids in the diet because they interfere with the omega-3 fatty acid effect, counteract. Saturated fat and monounsaturated fat help with testosterone, avoiding too many carbs avoids both the serotonin spiking effect described by Wurtmann and also the increase in SHBG over time.
I also tell menstruating women of course to check with their doctor first for hemochromatosis but recommend small amounts of supplemental iron because so many women are borderline anemic and that affects libido.
I tell women to avoid caffeine and energy drinks because they also raise serotonin. And to avoid soy products like tofu and soymilk because they interfere with testosterone. And if they are comfortable with the risk, to switch to a barrier method of birth control from hormonal birth control because it raises SHBG.
Finally, although more than half of the women who try my diet don't do this, I recommend that women strengthen their PC muscle with resistance exercise.
oy 