Is testosterone replacement therapy the right thing for aging males?

September 25, 2017

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A study suggests that exercise can reduce the risk of heart damage for middle-aged adults and seniors. According to the study, even those who are obese will benefit from physical activity. Wochit

Testosterone (T) is a naturally occurring hormone in men, and most of it is produced in the testicles.

At puberty, T production escalates, bringing about masculinizing changes in muscle mass.  also promotes sex drive, sperm and red blood cell production, bone mass and determines how men store body fat.

It can impact quality of life issues as well, like mood, energy and motivation.

Beginning at about age 30, T production begins to decline on average by about 1 percent per year, plummeting late in life. This causes all sorts of problems, including lack of sex drive, inability to sleep, loss of muscle and bone mass, increased belly fat, the list goes on. Reversing these symptoms and improving the quality of life is the reason T replacement therapy (TRT) clinics supervised by physicians have sprung up around the country.

Although it is considered a male hormone, women also produce a modest amount of T in the ovaries. After menopause, estrogen production declines, which alters the ratio of estrogen to T, explaining why women begin taking on some male characteristics, like storing more fat around the midsection, rather than on the hips, thighs and buttocks as occurs earlier in life.

TESTOSTERONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

Is TRT a good thing? It can be when managed responsibly. If you are older, and your T level is very low and falls below the normal range, it makes sense to address it with TRT because it can negatively impact health, increasing risks associated with diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis. Low T also may shorten life, but this is controversial because when TRT raises T levels it has not been shown to extend life.

More is not always better, and many TRT clinics are viewed with suspicion because they advertise that it’s possible to feel like you are 25 years old again, even though you are decades older. Perhaps this is possible, but at what price, and if you are taking huge doses of T, could you be damaging your health?

Research studies in 2013 and 2014 indicated that TRT increased the risk of heart disease in men 65 and older, and in younger men with a history of heart disease. However, subsequent studies refute these findings and some show a deceased risk of heart disease. Another area of concern is an increased risk of prostate cancer, but this, too, is controversial. There does appear to be solid evidence that TRT can increase the risk of blood clots and stroke, plus sleep apnea, acne and breast enlargement.

All in all, some experts believe the benefits outweigh the risks, while others are more cautious because TRT hasn’t been around long enough or impacted enough men to draw meaningful conclusions. Time will tell. In the meantime, like most things in life, moderation is the best approach.

THE BOTTOM LINE

TRT has a place and can be beneficial if managed prudently. Just be careful of extreme approaches and promises that seem too good to be true. As for AS, there is no justifiable reason for athletes to be taking them. Ever!

Written by: Bryant Stamford

Article Source: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/life/wellness/health/2017/09/07/testosterone-replacement-therapy-aging-males/569708001

 

“The Greatest Health of Your Life”℠

Boston Testosterone Partners
National Testosterone Restoration for Men
Wellness & Preventative Medicine

13 Foods You’re Better Off Avoiding Before Having Sex

September 18, 2017

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While most of us are aware of the foods that act as aphrodisiacs, only a handful are aware of the foods we should avoid at all costs. Not only will these make you feel bloated, unsexy and lethargic, they are likely to prevent you from getting it on!

#1. French fries

As tempting as reaching for those French fries are at all times fried foods (including the likes of pizza) are disastrous for your libido. They lower your testosterone levels, decrease blood circulation, and reduce your chances of maintaining strong erections.

#2. Hot dogs

Thinking of chomping on a hot dog towards the end of your grand night out before heading back for a raunchy session under the sheets? Although this super popular snack is great when paired with beer while watching your favorite sport it’s loaded with the kind of saturated fat that can clog the arteries that improve blood flow to your sexual organs. 

#3. Processed foods

Whether it is the aforementioned hot dog or the savory cupcake, the trans fat and sugars in processed food items can weigh down your digestion and slow your blood flow; hampering your sex drive.  Over time this can cause a loss of muscle mass, increase in fat and a dip in your testosterone levels.

#4. Canned or packaged foods

Canned or packaged foods are loaded with crippling levels of sodium. When we say crippling we mean that it can elevate your blood pressure to unfavorable levels and blockade the flow of blood to certain parts your body, like your genitals, leaving your limp.  

#5. Beer

If your night out entails having sex, later on, make sure it doesn’t include cracking open pints of beer in the build-up to it. Although it might give you the buzz you seek the phytoestrogens present in beer stand a good chance to alter the hormones that tamper with your libido. 

#6. Energy drinks

These bottled up potions of liquid give you instant energy due to the caffeine and sugar they are loaded with, but they do just the opposite to your sexual stamina. Once the caffeine and sugar burn off in your system they leave you with lesser energy than you had before. Studies also suggest that it lowers the level of the hormone serotonin that impacts your mood.

#7. Tonic water

 

Although this makes for a perfect combination with gin it doesn’t fair that well with your testosterone levels. The chemical quinine present in the water not only kills your sex drive and lowers your sperm count but it also can cause gas and bloating. 

#8. All sorts of beans

 

Love your rice and beans? Science has it that beans contain oligosaccharides (sugar molecules that the body cannot fully breakdown), which create gas and excessive cramping. And these are the last two things you want to be feeling down there when you’re setting yourself to get it on.

#9. Cruciferous vegetables

 

Sometimes the healthiest of vegetables can be just what you need to avoid in certain situations. Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower create a lot of gas since our body cannot digest the natural sugars found in them. The methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen produced by your body, as a result, can really stink up your surroundings.

#10. Tofu

Tofu has earned its name as one of the healthier options of protein for vegetarians and non-vegetarians as well, but not so much before a sexual encounter. Soy laden products increase your estrogen levels that have shown to decrease the estrogen levels in both sexes.

#11. Onions and garlic

If your food is loaded with onions and garlic, like most of our food is, try to avoid them in your meal prep before you engage in coitus. These pungent vegetables can affect your body odor for the worse; similar to how spices do. 

#12. Red meats

 

If you’re big on eating meats like lamb, pork or beef, especially on night outs where you’re looking forward to a romp in the sack, later on, swap it with seafood instead. Red meat is associated with the production of foul-smelling gas that can be downright offensive in nature!

#13. Cream-based sauces

Avoid cream-based sauces, such as the ones they use to make pasta in some restaurants; their heavy nature will put your system into a slump. The cream can upset your stomach and cause gas if you’re lactose intolerant dampening your elevated spirits.

 

Written By: REGI GEORGE JENARIUS

Article Source: http://www.indiatimes.com/health/healthyliving/13-foods-you-re-better-off-avoiding-before-having-sex-329846.html

“The Greatest Health of Your Life”℠

Boston Testosterone Partners
National Testosterone Restoration for Men
Wellness & Preventative Medicine

Testosterone therapy improves sexual, urinary function in men

September 11, 2017

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Men with hypogonadism treated long-term with testosterone therapy experience improvements in sexual and urinary function compared with men who are not treated, according to findings published in The Journal of Urology.

Abdulmaged M. Traish, PhD, of the department of biochemistry and department of urology at Boston University School of Medicine, and colleagues evaluated data on men with total testosterone levels of 12.1 nmol/L or less and symptoms of hypogonadism assigned to parenteral testosterone undecanoate 1,000 mg for 12 weeks (n = 360; mean age, 57.4 years) or no testosterone (n = 296; mean age, 64.8 years) for up to 10 years to determine the effect of long-term testosterone therapy on urinary and sexual functions and quality of life. Follow-up was a mean of 6.5 years.

Total testosterone levels were restored to the physiological range (500 ng/dL) in the treated group during the first year and the levels remained stable through follow-up; however, mean testosterone levels remained less than 300 ng/dL in the untreated group.

The untreated group experienced increases in the international prostate symptom score during follow-up compared with decreases in the treated group. At baseline, 50% of the treated group reported mild symptoms and 50% reported moderate symptoms, and 91.5% of the untreated group reported mild symptoms and 8.5% reported moderate symptoms. At the last visit, all the treated group had mild symptoms, and 61% of the untreated group reported mild symptoms and 39% reported moderate symptoms.

Post-voiding bladder volume and score on the Aging Males’ Symptoms scale decreased in the treated group but increased in the untreated group.

Among the treated group, 17.1% had no erectile dysfunction, 30.5% had mild erectile dysfunction, 20.7% mild to moderate, 25.6% moderate and 6.1% severe. At the last visit, the proportion of treated participants without erectile dysfunction increased to 74.4%, 17.1% had mild, 7.3% had mild to moderate and 1.2% had moderate. Among the untreated group, 1.2% had no erectile dysfunction, 31.7% had mild, 52.4% had mild to moderate and 14.6% had moderate. The severity of erectile dysfunction increased in the untreated group through follow-up to 51.2% having moderate and 48.8% having severe.

Prostate volume remained stable in the untreated group but increased from 31.4 mL to 33.2 mL in the treated group.

 

Article Source: https://www.healio.com/endocrinology/hormone-therapy/news/in-the-journals/%7B0c2f828d-0812-42fa-8f66-181eb9a8ee0f%7D/testosterone-therapy-improves-sexual-urinary-function-in-men

 

“The Greatest Health of Your Life”℠

Boston Testosterone Partners
National Testosterone Restoration for Men
Wellness & Preventative Medicine

Hair loss warning: THIS popular medication could trigger erectile dysfunction

September 5, 2017

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HAIR loss – or alopecia – affects half of men over the age of 30 in the UK, but using certain medications to counteract it could cause erectile dysfunction – which is the inability of a man to get and maintain an erection.

By the time they reach their fifties, over 50 per cent of men will experience some degree of baldness, according to the NHS.

The most common type of hair loss is male-pattern baldness, where sufferers often experience a receding hairline followed by thinning of hair on the crown and temples.

However, there are now a number of treatment options, and the Alopecia Treatment Market Size is set to see sustained growth between now and 2022.

These include hair transplants and medications, but experts are warning of the risks involved.

Doctors at the International Andrology London have warned that men undergoing a hair transplant could suffer erectile dysfunction as a result.

They are raising awareness of a condition called post-Finasteride Syndrome which is caused by a drug called 5-alpha reductase type II enzyme inhibitor or Finasteride.

The medication works by halting hair loss in men with thinning hair.

It also assists hair transplant treatment by stopping the body from rejecting new hair.

However, it can cause some worrying side-effects.

These include neurological and physical symptoms such as muscle atrophy, chronic fatigue and depression.

Such is their prevalence that the Post-Finasteride Syndrome Foundation has been created to boost awareness.

Dr Amr Raheem at International Andrology said: “Erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, reduction of semen creation and curvature of the penis (known as Peyronie’s) are all part of this disturbing reaction.

“Hair transplant clinics are aware of the issue and have an obligation to explain the risks to patients while the drug itself is becoming more clearly labelled.

“However, understand that investment into finding alternatives to this drug, which can provide results without compromising patients’ health, are ongoing.

“At International Andrology London, we encourage men who are developing a serious hair condition such as alopecia and know that they will need hair replacement to make a pre-emptive move, seeking out treatment for erectile dysfunction, such as shockwave therapy, before they experience the problem.

“This builds up muscle resistance and manages the condition through the hair treatment.

“An alternative option is to take Minoxidil spray which improves the circulation to the scalp and has been proven to help without the same side effects.”

Written By LAUREN CLARK

Article Source: http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/841366/hair-loss-erectile-dysfunction-transplant-treatment-medication-finasteride-alopecia-bald

 

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