When Should You Consider Testosterone Treatment For Ed
If youve had trouble having erections for three months, talk to your doctor. He or she will ask about all your symptoms and give you a physical exam. Symptoms of low testosterone can include less of a sex drive, loss of body hair, breast growth, needing to shave less often, a drop in muscle size and strength, and bones that break more easily.
If you have some of these symptoms, your doctor may have you get a blood test to measure your testosterone levels. The blood test should be done more than once. It is best to do it in the morning when testosterone levels are highest.
If the tests show that you have low testosterone levels, your doctor should look for possible causes. For example, the low levels might be caused by a problem in the pituitary glands.
If no other cause is found, you can try testosterone treatment.
This report is for you to use when talking with your health-care provider. It is not a substitute for medical advice and treatment. Use of this report is at your own risk.
How To Know If Testosterone Therapy Is Right For You
If you are experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, such as erectile dysfunction, fatigue, or decreased libido, it may be time to talk to your doctor about testosterone replacement therapy. TRT is a common and effective treatment option for men with low testosterone levels.
Overall, TRT is an effective treatment option for men with low testosterone levels and can help to improve sexual function and overall health. If youre considering TRT, talk to your doctor to see if its right for you.
Can Testosterone Therapy Treat Erectile Dysfunction
Testosterone replacement therapy may help with erectile dysfunction in men with low testosterone levels however, TRT cannot improve erection in men with normal testosterone levels therefore, it is crucial to determine the levels of testosterone before treatment.
ED is a condition in which the ability to maintain an erection reduces, hindering sexual function in men. Various reasons cause ED one of them is low testosterone levels.
Testosterone is a male sex hormone produced by the testicles, which is responsible for sexual function and the development of secondary sexual characteristics in men, such as the development of a beard, hair on the chest, upper body muscle mass, and pelvic build.
- Both ED and testosterone levels are affected by age.
- As a man ages, his risk of experiencing ED grows, and his testosterone levels normally fall by about one to two percent yearly.
- Although both events coincide, there is no indication that one causes the other.
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Cialis And Testosterone Replacement Therapy: Is It Safe
Cialis does not interact with testosterone replacement therapy. Men experience no side effects from using Cialis while being treated for low testosterone with testosterone replacement therapy in the form of testosterone gel, testosterone injections, Testopel testosterone pellets or another treatment option.
If you think you have low testosterone and you want to get tested, please schedule a consultation with our experienced doctors at New York Urology Specialists.
A Logical Approach To Treating Erectile Dysfunction
- By Daniel Pendick, Former Executive Editor, Harvard Men’s Health Watch
ARCHIVED CONTENT: As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date each article was posted or last reviewed. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
Thanks to an aging population and a lot of direct-to-consumer advertising, many American men of a certain age know to ask about the little blue pill or similar medications if they develop erectile difficulties. But is an erectile dysfunction drug like sildenafil or its competitors always the best place to start? Thats an open question, especially among men with low levels of testosterone.
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How Long Does It Take To Get Results From Testosterone Supplements
Testosterone supplements contain different ingredients in varying dosages, and existing research has yet to explore the effects these boosters have on sex drive.
In short, experts dont have enough information to determine how long it takes testosterone supplements to work.
If you dont notice results after a few weeks, you may want to connect with your doctor for more support.
Testosterone Shots Can Cause Ed
Can testosterone cause ED? Is this possible? I think this question is interesting because a lot of people assume that more testosterone will make their erections more pronounced and improve their erectile function. For the most part, this is true. When your testosterone is low and you bring it up into a normal range, almost always there will be more erectile function. However there are some distinct physiological areas that can actually get worse.
In a previous article, we talked about how some people can get a paradoxical effect from taking testosterone. For instance, generally it will help with anxiety, help with mood, and it can even help with your ability to stay calm. In some subsets of people it you can have the reverse effect.
In these cases, the person thinks they are in the optimal range but really the dose of testosterone is just slightly too much for their system. The testosterone is causing more anxiety and more irritability. This generally has to do with the two issues estrogen and cortisol.
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Signs Of Too Much Testosterone
While the two conditions arent inextricably connected, its still important to keep your testosterone levels in balance for your health.
Signs of high testosterone levels can vary from person to person. Some may feel that theres no significant change in their bodies, while others can have debilitating symptoms.
Heres a list of symptoms that may affect those with high testosterone in men:
- Aggressive behavior
- Unexplained weight gain
Its not common for high testosterone levels to occur in men naturally. Oftentimes, frequent anabolic steroid use for bodybuilders is to blame. However, some rare cases where high testosterone can occur naturally include a sex-hormone producing tumor.
If youreworried about deteriorating health, consult with a sexual health doctor to get proper treatment.
When Erection Pill Isn’t Enough: Gel Treatment For Men With Low Testosterone Columbia University Medical Center Study Shows
Men with Sexual Dysfunction Should Take Simple Blood Test To Determine Necessity of Combination Treatment
New York, NY
For men with erectile dysfunction and low testosterone who do not respond to Viagra* alone, the supplemental use of AndroGel** improves erectile function and overall sexual satisfaction, according to a Columbia University Medical Center study.
Dr. Ridwan Shabsigh, associate professor of urology at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and director of the New York Center for Human Sexuality at Columbia University Medical Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital presented the multicenter study findings at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association in Chicago.
Our data support the potential benefits of a combination therapy with testosterone gel for men with erectile dysfunction and low testosterone who find sildenafil by itself ineffective, said Dr. Shabsigh. When assessing erectile dysfunction, doctors and patients should consider using a simple blood test to determine if low testosterone is a contributing factor. If the root cause is low testosterone, sildenafil alone won’t fix the problem.
It is estimated that four to five million American men have low testosterone. Furthermore, low testosterone, also called hypogonadism, affects about one in 10 men between the ages of 40 and 60. Low testosterone may lead to decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis, reduced lean body mass, depressed mood and fatigue.
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Treatment For Testosterone Related Erectile Dysfunction
Attempting to have sex with erectile problems can be physically and emotionally challenging, but most experts agree that such problems when related to low testosterone levels are treatable.
Testosterone replacement therapy often gives positive result for erectile function. Testosterone replacement therapy can achieve the desired results, either by itself or in conjunction with medications for erectile dysfunction.
Testosterone decreases with age. Thus, older males generally have lower testosterone levels and more erectile dysfunction. This is worldwide issue affecting many men and can often lead to diminished quality of life.
Although there are many causes of erectile dysfunction, deficiency in testosterone is the most common. It is important, therefore, to test testosterone levels in cases of erectile dysfunction.
Before testosterone replacement therapy is recommended for you, it is important to first determine whether your low levels of testosterone may be caused by lifestyle habits such as alcohol and drug use, or diseases such as diabetes.
By restoring your testosterone to optimal levels, you will improve your erectile performance and increase your libido. At the biostation, we have extensive experience in treating males with lower testosterone levels and we are confident that we can create a treatment that will be effective for you.
Estrogen Ed And Testosterone
It is well established that high estrogen levels cause erectile dysfunction and high estrogen levels decrease testosterone levels.
An erection is a delicate dance of nerves so if there is a misfire or imbalance between estrogen to testosterone then at least one of these triggers will causing erectile dysfunction.
As we cover above, if estrogen increases then testosterone levels begin to decrease leading to weaker erections for men. Tissue throughout the body have estrogen receptors and have targets for a hormonal response like the testosterone hungry receptors that activate so many bodily functions in men. Elevated estrogen can hinder a males desire and natural ability for these receptors to get enough testosterone as estrogen floods these critical processes.
If there is an estrogen to testosterone imbalance, then the hypothalamus-pituitary axis is not producing enough testosterone to trigger an erection. Testosterone is necessary for normal erectile function and low testosterone leads to a decrease in firmness and inability to maintain a healthy erection. If estradiol increases, there is a reduction in spontaneous erections and a decrease in sexual arousal due to the obvious hormone imbalance.
Erectile dysfunction is more prevalent among men with high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels.
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What Causes Low Testosterone
There are several possible causes of low testosterone levels. These include:
- Aging: Testosterone levels naturally decline with age. This is known as andropause.
- Obesity: Research has shown that obese men are more likely to have low testosterone levels.
- Sleep apnea: This condition can cause disruptions in breathing during sleep, which can lead to low testosterone levels.
- Pituitary gland disorders: The pituitary gland produces several hormones, including testosterone. Pituitary gland disorders can cause low hormone levels.
- Testicular injuries or infections: These can interfere with the production of testosterone and your sexual health.
If youre experiencing symptoms of low testosterone and any other follicle-stimulating hormone issue, such as ED, its important to talk to your doctor. They can order blood tests to check your hormone levels and identify any underlying causes. Once the cause of your low testosterone is determined, hormone replacement therapy can begin to bring your testosterone level to a normal range.
Erectile Dysfunction And Testosteroneis There A Connection
According to a research study, researchers agreed that erectile dysfunction and testosterone arent causally related.
However, they did point out some notable findings that connect the two conditions.
According to the aforementioned study, endocrinopathya disease related to hormonesis a rare cause for erectile dysfunction. Among these types of hormone diseases, hypogonadism or low testosterone is the most frequent cause of erectile dysfunction in men.
Another study also found that having higher amounts of serum testosterone circulating the body had no significant impact on erectile function.
These studies prove one thing: the relationship isnt strong enough for high testosterone levels to cause erectile dysfunction.
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The Relationship Between Testosterone Levels And Erectile Function
Modern research shows that a low level of testosterone is often the primary reason for erectile dysfunction, while higher levels of testosterone result in better erectile function and improved sex drive.
There are many symptoms that can indicate low testosterone levels and these symptoms can be emotional and/or physical. A low sex drive and erectile dysfunction are good indicators of low testosterone levels. Men with erectile dysfunction have difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection suitable for sexual relations.
Does Low Testosterone Cause Ed
Medically reviewed by Katelyn Hagerty, FNP
As a man, your testosterone levels play a key role in many aspects of your sexual desire and function, including your general level of interest in sex.
As such, it might seem logical that low levels of testosterone can result in erectile dysfunction . However, the relationship between your testosterone levels and your erections is a little more complicated.
While testosterone definitely plays a role in your sexual function, many men with low levels of testosterone can get erections just fine.
On the other hand, many guys with healthy testosterone levels find it hard to get and maintain an erection during sex.
Below, weve discussed testosterones role in male sexual health and performance, as well as the effects that low testosterone may have on your sex life.
Weve also listed other common symptoms you may experience if you have low testosterone levels, as well as the steps that you can take to remedy this.
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How Does Testosterone Therapy Help Alleviate Sexual Dysfunction
Men with low testosterone levels typically have a diminished libido and desire for sex. Reduced testosterone levels might also make you feel tired and sluggish, which contributes to your lack of enthusiasm for sex with your partner. Fortunately, testosterone therapy enhances your sex desire, restoring your youthful interest.
Low testosterone may impair your performance during sex and can have a range of negative impacts on men’s sexual performance, which include:
- Sexual dysfunction
Everything You Need To Know About Testosterone
Testosterone is the main male sex hormone in your body. Its produced in your testes and plays a key role in everything from the development of your musculoskeletal system to secondary sex characteristics such as your voice and body hair.
Beyond its obvious effects on the physical side of being a man, testosterone is also responsible for many aspects of your cognitive function.
As a man, its normal to have a total testosterone level between 300 and 1,000 nanograms per deciliter or 10 and 35 nanomoles per liter .
Testosterone levels usually decline with age. Most men reach their peak testosterone levels in their 30s, after which the amount of testosterone produced by their testicles gradually declines to a lower level.
If your testosterone levels are below this range or unusually low relatively to your age, you may be diagnosed with low testosterone, or low-T.
Low testosterone can affect men in all age groups. However, its most common in middle-aged and older men.
According to data published in the journal Frontiers in Endocrinology, approximately 40 percent of men over 45 and 50 percent of men in their 80s are hypogonadal, meaning their bodies dont produce enough testosterone to place them in the normal reference range.
In younger men, low testosterone isnt so common. According to the Urology Care Foundation, only around one percent of young men are affected by low testosterone, although reliable data isnt very easy to come by.
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Contact Ft Lauderdales Top Ed Specialists For A Consultation About Sexual Health Issues
High levels of testosterone in our bodies can lead to a slew of problems however, erectile dysfunction isnt the primary result of this.
While there are some overlaps between the two types of diseases in terms of symptoms, ED is largely a vascular issue, whereas testosterone is a hormonal one.
Nonetheless, if left untreated, these conditions can wreak havoc in ones sex life and reproductive health.
Fortunately, its possible to get back into shape.
With the right mens health treatment plans, and an expert doctor to supervise your recovery, you can return back to living an active and healthy life once more.
If youre having issues with erectile dysfunction, call the team at Preferred Mens Medical Center in Ft. Lauderdale now to schedule an appointment to have a consultation with their experienced and specially trained medical staff. We are South Floridas leading mens clinic providing ED therapy, PE therapy, testosterone therapy, acoustic wave therapy, medical weight loss, and much more.
Testosterone Therapy Vs Testosterone Boosters
Healthcare professionals may treat low testosterone levels with testosterone replacement therapy . TRT, which involves using injections, oral medications, or topical creams that contain actual testosterone, is only available when prescribed by a doctor or another clinician.
You can also purchase over-the-counter products marketed as testosterone supplements or boosters. These supplements dont contain testosterone. They contain vitamins, minerals, and herbs intended to promote testosterone production.
In short, theres a difference between supplementing with actual testosterone and taking supplements that contain vitamins and minerals intended to help boost testosterone production.
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How Do I Take Testosterone Replacement Therapy
TRT comes in several different forms. Each has pros and cons.
Patches. These are easy to apply. But patches can cause skin rashes and may have to be applied more than once a day.
Gels. You rub gels into the skin daily. They are convenient to use. But you have to be careful that no one comes into contact with the treated area for several hours after you’ve applied it. Otherwise they could get testosterone in their system. A nasal gel is now available that eliminates the risk of exposure to others.
Buccal patch. You put this on your upper gum twice a day. These patches are convenient but can cause irritation or gum disease.
Injections. Injections are given anywhere from 2 to 10 weeks apart. They are inexpensive compared to other treatments. But injections may not provide steady benefits. Your testosterone levels will go back down between doses.
Subcutaneous pellets. Your doctor inserts these under your skin every 3 to 6 months. They are very convenient once they’re put in, but they require minor surgery for each dose.