Is Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Older Men Becoming Mainstream? It is not so long ago at all, when those of us interested in Testosterone Replacement Therapy or TRT for older men, were made to feel like some kind of second class citizens.
We were looked on with suspicion and, if not exactly black listed by our colleagues, we were certainly labelled as a bit 'maverick', a bit non-mainstream.
Two things have happened recently to help bring about a considerable change of heart among sceptical doctors.
The first thing is that it is now becoming apparent that there is a lot more to TRT than just boosting libido.
Several recent studies have shown up an association between low testosterone levels and increase in mortality from coronary artery disease.
Another recent smaller study showed a decrease in mortality from coronary artery disease and stroke among men taking TRT.
The second interesting finding that is only now emerging is that there does not appear to be any link between raised testosterone levels and prostate cancer.
In fact quite the opposite may be the case.
 It is now becoming known that in fact TRT may even be beneficial for men recovering from prostate cancer.
The jury may be still out on this question but interest in the subject is intensifying.
These emerging findings may prove to be quite profound in doctors' attitudes towards TRT for older men in the future.
Because it was this, the fear that testosterone could act like petrol to the flames of early prostate cancer that, more than one other factor, made them adopt negative attitudes towards hormone replacement for men.
Many older men, perhaps the majority of them indeed, with low testosterone levels, will suffer no consequences from this.
Other older men, perhaps as many as 30% of them will have some ill effects from their hypogonadism.
Their chief symptoms may be: (1)Â Loss or reduction of libido or sex drive.
(2)Â Lethargy or lack of zest for life.
(3)Â Erectile dysfunction.
(4)Â Increased visceral fat.
(5)Â Decreased muscle mass.
(6)Â Decreased strength.
(7)Â Increased tendency to fall asleep during the day.
(8)Â Mild to moderate depression.
If you are over fifty years of age and suffer from more that three of these symptoms then perhaps you should at least consider the possibility of trying TRT.
A word of warning here though.
Find out first if the doctor you intent discussion this with is at least open to the suggestion that TRT might help you.
Some doctors, maybe even the majority of doctors, still simply do not want to know about this subject and talking to them can be a waste of time.
We were looked on with suspicion and, if not exactly black listed by our colleagues, we were certainly labelled as a bit 'maverick', a bit non-mainstream.
Two things have happened recently to help bring about a considerable change of heart among sceptical doctors.
The first thing is that it is now becoming apparent that there is a lot more to TRT than just boosting libido.
Several recent studies have shown up an association between low testosterone levels and increase in mortality from coronary artery disease.
Another recent smaller study showed a decrease in mortality from coronary artery disease and stroke among men taking TRT.
The second interesting finding that is only now emerging is that there does not appear to be any link between raised testosterone levels and prostate cancer.
In fact quite the opposite may be the case.
 It is now becoming known that in fact TRT may even be beneficial for men recovering from prostate cancer.
The jury may be still out on this question but interest in the subject is intensifying.
These emerging findings may prove to be quite profound in doctors' attitudes towards TRT for older men in the future.
Because it was this, the fear that testosterone could act like petrol to the flames of early prostate cancer that, more than one other factor, made them adopt negative attitudes towards hormone replacement for men.
Many older men, perhaps the majority of them indeed, with low testosterone levels, will suffer no consequences from this.
Other older men, perhaps as many as 30% of them will have some ill effects from their hypogonadism.
Their chief symptoms may be: (1)Â Loss or reduction of libido or sex drive.
(2)Â Lethargy or lack of zest for life.
(3)Â Erectile dysfunction.
(4)Â Increased visceral fat.
(5)Â Decreased muscle mass.
(6)Â Decreased strength.
(7)Â Increased tendency to fall asleep during the day.
(8)Â Mild to moderate depression.
If you are over fifty years of age and suffer from more that three of these symptoms then perhaps you should at least consider the possibility of trying TRT.
A word of warning here though.
Find out first if the doctor you intent discussion this with is at least open to the suggestion that TRT might help you.
Some doctors, maybe even the majority of doctors, still simply do not want to know about this subject and talking to them can be a waste of time.