Is Testosterone replacement therapy a good option to cure impotence ?

Tim grieved that his libido was very poor when he consulted his Doctor. Apart from that, he also said that he does not have enough energy and get tired too often. He initially thought that this deficiency was due to overwork, but even after his retirement he realized that the symptoms only continued to worsen. In such a case, he was only blaming his killer schedule all the while which was actually not the real issue.

It was then agreed that Tim was found to have certain signs of depression and he began his course of antidepressant. Though his mood did change and improve a little bit, there was no virtual change in his libido. Amanda, his wife quite understood and she did point out that Tim was seen to be less interested in sex and that he never took any initiative.

This was a drastic change since in the past Tim was a person who would only ask for more. Luckily for Amanda, Tim used to make appropriate advances during foreplay, although it was not like those earlier days.

Tim continued the antidepressant for one month after which, he told his doctor that he felt that the antidepressant is not doing any good since he felt no changes in his system and it is not solving his main problem i.e. increase his libido. Apart from little improvement, the main thing remained where it was.

Hence a testosterone blood test was conducted at Tim, which proved that the hormone level in Tim was too low. Additional blood tests found out that the main cause was found to be a small tumor which was seen in the pituitary gland. Luckily, this tumor was not a cancerous tumor and could be easily removed through surgery.

Unluckily, the testosterone level in Tim never came back to normalcy mainly due to the fact that the pituitary glands suffered permanent damage. Nevertheless, testosterone gel was given and within a few couples of week period, his libido was seen back to normal. After which Amanda did not have to take any additional initiative during foreplay thereafter.

As we know in a long period of medical history, it was proved that impotence is often seen ‘in the head’. Therefore the only medical treatment which was made available for years together was psychotherapy or counseling. But now, comes the replacement of testosterone as one of the most commonly prescribed method of curing erectile dysfunction.

Replacement of testosterone is similar to pouring water in a glass. In case the water in a glass (or testosterone) is less, then adding a bit does make quite a difference.

Nevertheless, there is no use of adding extra water (or testosterone) when the level of water reaches the top which basically mean that the level of testosterone in the blood has to be measured before actually giving testosterone to a patient.

In case the level is found to be normal, there is no need to give replacements as it outweighs its benefit.

As testosterone is completely a common hormone, bringing it up to reach normal levels must not be a problem. Nevertheless, giving extra dosage of testosterone which is outside the limits of a normal level can provoke the growth of prostate tissue.

This discovery allowed the scientists to obstruct the hormone which will further control the growth of prostate cancer.

It was also found out that testosterone taken in normal amounts is not at all a problem, but in case a person has got prostate cancer or any other type of prostatic disease (like enlargement) then, administering testosterone in such cases will only add the disease to increase more rapidly.

Some men often are confused and believe that it is testosterone which causes the growth of prostate cancer. However medical experts actually know that this is only a “growth” factor.

To give you a classic example, you can consider testosterone as a fertilizer which is given in a garden for the plants to grow. In a garden you can put any amount of fertilizers but it will never allow the weeds to grow. However, in case weeds are already present in the soil, then with the help of the fertilizer it will only grow faster.

Similarly, testosterone will never cause prostate cancer on its own. But in case cancer rises on its own, then testosterone will only make the cancer grow rapidly.

That is the reason they say that men who are being administered testosterone replacement must be screened very carefully for any suspicious prostate cancer. In case there is any suspicion about this disease; the hormone replacement should be immediately discontinued till the doctor is absolutely sure that there is no sign of any prostate cancer.

Furthermore, amounts over typical physiological levels can curb the pituitary gland, which induces normal testicular function from the get go. This can lead to infertility (sterility) from congestion of sperm creation. As sportsmen taking too much testosterone know, it can also make the blood to thicken and the testicles to thin.

The conventional procedure by which testosterone is given is by injection every two to four weeks. This episodic dosing routine signifies that a huge dose is present for the first few days but slowly reduces until the next shot is given. That produces a very irregular hormone level in the bloodstream, which can cause an irregular response.

Slow-release patches and skin creams that permit sustained, stable blood levels have lately been mastered.

The only route of testosterone administration that is absolutely not advised is orally. Testosterone pills have to go through the liver since they are consumed from the intestines.

This first-pass effect through the liver makes most of the drug metabolically inactive. The enticement to merely boost the amount administered orally needs to be averted, as large doses are toxic to the liver and could lead to hepatitis, jaundice, and liver cancer.

Ketoconazoie is a notable powerful blocker of testosterone that is often recommended for fungal infections of the skin or nails. As it is prescribed for such seemingly benign conditions, many patients forget to even list it when inquired about medications. This is sad, due to the fact merely stopping it can yield a fast return to normal testosterone levels.