Testosterone Boost No Help in Erectile Dysfunction

Preliminary data shows that testosterone supplementation failed to improve mild to moderate erectile dysfunction.

Testosterone supplementation failed to improve outcomes among elderly men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction, even though testosterone levels were improved, researchers said here.

The Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) scores showed no differences if the men in the study were treated with testosterone 25 mg a day, testosterone 50 mg a day, or placebo, said Lauren W. Roth, MD, from the University of Colorado in Denver.

The SHIM scale ranges from 1-25, with a score of 1-7 reflecting severe erectile dysfunction and a score of 22-25 indicating no erectile dysfunction. The study participants were about 65-years-old, and more than 90 percent were Caucasian.

In her oral presentation at the annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Roth said that men did experience an increase in testosterone levels at six months and one year for both the low-dose and high-dose treatment when compared with baseline levels. But that change did not translate into better sexual improvement for the men.

Transdermal testosterone did improve testosterone levels to a normal range. But SHIM scores did not improve.

Erectile dysfunction is not just a problem of low testosterone. It amazing that men with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other factors that impact erectile function will perceive that it is low testosterone that is causing their erectile dysfunction. Maybe 10 percent to 15 percent of men with erectile dysfunction can be helped with testosterone supplementation.

Testosterone and Erectile Dysfunction

Testosterone and erectile dysfunction go hand in hand. Why? Because testosterone, the main sex hormone in men, is not only a necessary ingredient for libido, it also has a critical role in maintaining nitric oxide levels in the penis. Therefore men who have low testosterone levels may experience erectile dysfunction along with low libido and other side effects associated with low levels of this hormone.

10 Signs of Testosterone Deficiency
The normal range of testosterone is 350 to 1,200 ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter), and what is considered to be “normal” for any man depends on his age. Testosterone levels are highest in men in their early twenties, and up to 50% of all men at age 40 have testosterone levels lower than what was once considered normal, 450 ng/dL. Although there is no definitive figure that identifies testosterone deficiency, 300 ng/dL is usually viewed to be at the lower limit of normal for a healthy man.

Testosterone and Erectile Dysfunction: Benefits of Testosterone Supplementation
If you or your healthcare provider believe testosterone deficiency may be causing your erectile dysfunction, a simple blood test can identify your levels. At that point, you and your physician may discuss the benefits and risks of testosterone supplementation.

A June 2009 study noted that testosterone replacement therapy may provide many benefits for men who have low testosterone, including an improvement in libido and sexual function, bone density, muscle mass, mood, cognition, quality of life, and cardiovascular disease. The study also noted that there is “no evidence to support this risk”

Testosterone replacement therapy is not something you should do on your own: you need medical guidance. First, your doctor should conduct a physical exam and take a medical history if he or she has not already done so. You will then need a blood test panel that includes testosterone levels, PSA, fasting glucose, estradiol (estrogen), and complete blood counts. Along with the PSA level, a digital rectal exam (DRE) should be done as part of prostate cancer screening. Once it has been determined that you can safely take testosterone supplements, your doctor will determine the best approach.

Bioidentical testosterone cream is considered the best choice, because it is readily absorbed into the bloodstream and mimics the body’s natural hormone. Oral testosterone can be rapidly degraded in the liver and result in inconsistent blood levels of the hormone. Request a natural testosterone cream prepared by a compounding pharmacy, as the cost will be considerably less than name brand testosterone creams. You should have follow-up blood testing 30 to 60 days after starting testosterone therapy to make sure your PSA, estradiol, and other blood markers are within normal range. If your doctor finds that the testosterone is converting into estradiol at too high a level, he or she may recommend nutrients that can inhibit excess aromatase activity or prescribe a drug like Arimidex to do the same. You need to have routine follow-up blood tests while on testosterone therapy.

Testosterone and Erectile Dysfunction: Supplements
Natural supplements can complement hormone replacement, or if you choose not to use hormone replacement, nutrients can be an important part of a program to reduce the impact of aging on testosterone and estrogen production. Some of the nutrients and supplements you can consider include those listed under Supplements for ED. One example is a combination of 160 mg of saw palmetto and pygeum twice a day. These herbs can potentially aid in blocking the conversion of testosterone. 

7 Common ED Myths Uncovered

There are many misconceptions about erectile dysfunction and its causes. Get the facts to straighten out any confusion about ED.

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is a common sexual dysfunction affecting up to 30 million American men. But despite its prevalence, erectile dysfunction is often misunderstood. Below are some common myths about ED and the facts that prove them wrong.

ED Myth No. 1: Tight Underwear Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction

Truth: “There is no research showing that wearing tight underwear can lead to erectile dysfunction,” says Alan W. Shindel, MD, clinical instructor and fellow of andrology at the University of California at San Francisco. However, tight underwear may contribute to infertility. Keeping testicles too close to the body raises their temperature and hinders sperm production.

ED Myth No. 2: ED Occurs When You’re Not Attracted to Your Partner

Truth: While a lack of attraction — or even some trouble in the relationship — can contribute to erectile dysfunction, the majority of ED is physiological. “The trouble starts with a biological reason, which can lead to confidence issues, avoiding sex, fear of failure, and then avoiding your sex partner,” Shindel explains.

ED Myth No. 3: Erectile Dysfunction Is a Normal Part of Aging

Truth: Erectile dysfunction is not an inevitable part of growing older. “Like arthritis and heart disease, erectile dysfunction is just more common in older men,” says Shindel. “Certain health conditions increase in likelihood with age, as does erectile dysfunction.” ED can also be a warning sign of another condition, such as cardiovascular disease. The penis is a vascular organ, and therefore any condition that interferes with blood flow in the body can affect erections.

ED Myth No. 4: Erectile Dysfunction Only Affects Older Men

Truth: While older men have a higher incidence of erectile dysfunction, impotence can happen to men of any age. Younger men who have diabetes, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular problems are at particularly high risk.

ED Myth No. 5: Erectile Dysfunction Is Best Treated With Oral Medications

Truth: Erectile dysfunction medications don’t work for everyone, and they’re not usually the first line of treatment. Doctors initially recommend healthy lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and losing weight. The next step might be to identify possible medications that could be causing erectile dysfunction or to try psychotherapy. Eventually, oral medications may be prescribed to increase blood flow to the penis and achieve erection. Buy Steroids

ED Myth No. 6: Erectile Dysfunction Is Only an Emotional Issue

Truth: It was once believed that erectile dysfunction was solely psychological. Today, experts believe physiological factors are at the root of most erectile dysfunction cases. Physiological causes can be related to health conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or high blood pressure, as well as due to side effects from medication. These physical factors can also contribute to emotional ones. “When a man experiences erectile dysfunction, he can become anxious or depressed, and the erectile dysfunction can become a source of psychological stress,” says Shindel

ED Myth No. 7: Erectile Dysfunction Cannot Be Caused by Riding a Bicycle

Truth: Cycling is linked to a higher risk of erectile dysfunction. “If you fell asleep in a very awkward position in a chair, you’d get pins and needles in a part of the body to which the blood wasn’t flowing properly,” says Irwin Goldstein, MD, clinical professor of surgery at University of California at San Diego, director of sexual medicine at Alvarado Hospital, and director of San Diego Sexual Medicine. “When you ride a bike, most of your body weight is on the crotch, causing damage by crushing endothelial cells.”

ED is a complex issue with many possible causes and many possible treatments. The best way to discover what's behind your ED is to talk openly with your doctor and get an accurate diagnosis.

12 Common Causes of Low Libido

Has your desire disappeared? Once you get down to the root of your wrecked sex drive, you can take action to get it back again.

From a lack of sleep to having too much to drink, low libido is caused by a number of physiological, emotional, and lifestyle factors. Here are 12 common issues that can ruin the mood.

1. Stress. The body reacts to stress by releasing adrenaline and cortisol. Chronic stress, in particular, can interfere with your body’s hormone levels, and result in a low libido. The arteries can also narrow and restrict blood flow in response to stress, which can also lead to erectile dysfunction. Stress can also reduce your libido by distracting you and taking your mind off sexual desire.

2. Depression. Libido and depression share a complicated link. “Depression can change the body's biochemistry and therefore reduce libido,” says Mark L. Held, PhD, a clinical psychologist in the Denver area. “It's also harder to feel sexual when you're depressed.” Some medications commonly used to treat depression may also lower libido as a side effect.

3. Low Self-Esteem. It's hard to feel sexy when your self-confidence is down or when you have an unhealthy body image. “Someone who feels unattractive is less likely to want to engage in sex,” says Held. “Fears of rejection may also come in to play.”

4. Alcohol or Drug Use. While a little alcohol can help lower inhibitions, too much can impair your nervous system and lead to fatigue — making it difficult to become aroused. Other drugs can decrease your sex drive as well. For example, marijuana suppresses the pituitary gland, which regulates the production of testosterone.

5. Lack of Sleep. A good night's rest might be hard to come by, but you need sleep to keep a sharp mind, a healthy body, and an active libido. “When you’re exhausted, you’d rather catch up on sleep,” says Alan W. Shindel, MD, clinical instructor and fellow of andrology at the University of California at San Francisco. Physically, a lack of sleep can elevate cortisol levels, which also leads to low libido. Even more surprising in the sleep-ED connection? One recent study found that men with restless leg syndrome (a neurological disorder characterized by jumpy, creepy-crawly sensations as you’re falling asleep) are at higher risk for erectile dysfunction, probably due to low dopamine levels.

6. Medication. Some medications used to treat depression, high blood pressure, and other common illnesses can affect libido or cause sexual dysfunction.

7. Erectile Dysfunction. Low libido is a common emotional side effect of ED. “Once a man experiences ED, he may get anxious,” says Shindel. “His confidence is shaken, and he might be afraid it will happen again. His libido shuts down to preserve his ego.”

8. Hormone Imbalance. Libido is directly influenced by testosterone levels. Therefore, low libido is often caused by low testosterone levels — a hormone imbalance. “Low testosterone can be caused by injury, inflammation, or tumors in the testicles,” says Ira Sharlip, MD, clinical professor of urology at University of California at San Francisco and a spokesperson for the American Urological Association. Other causes of a hormone imbalance include cirrhosis of the liver or pituitary diseases. “The liver is responsible for breaking down estrogen; when it fails, estrogen level goes up, and this causes low libido. And pituitary diseases reduce the amount of testosterone in the body,” says Sharlip.

9. Menopause. Women may experience low libido during menopause for a number of reasons. Estrogen levels drop suddenly during these years, causing vaginal tissue to become dry. That, in turn, can lead to discomfort and pain during intercourse and discourage a woman’s sexual desire. Menopause can also lower testosterone, the hormone that boosts libido in women as well as men.

10. Health Conditions. Serious systemic illnesses, such as cancer or kidney disease, can suppress testosterone levels and reduce sperm production. “The body essentially goes into survival mode and doesn’t pay much attention to non-survival functions like producing testosterone and sperm,” says Shindel. Low testosterone is also a side effect of other illnesses, such as renal disease, HIV, and diabetes.

11. Relationship Trouble. When a couple is fighting or feeling distant from each other, they're less likely to want to be intimate. Communication problems, anger, conflicts, resentment — all these negative emotions can carry over into the bedroom.

12. Lack of Time. Have you ever been too busy for sex? The hectic schedules of daily life can put your sex life on the backburner. “Some people assume there will be time for sex at the end of the day when there is nothing else going on,” says Irwin Goldstein, MD, clinical professor of surgery at University of California at San Diego, director of sexual medicine at Alvarado Hospital, and director of San Diego Sexual Medicine. “They don’t schedule sex.” But unless you make time for each other and for intimacy, it may not happen. Eventually lack of sex can lead to low libido.

Prostatitis Which Might Not Be

Chronic prostatitis is the most common disease of the male reproductive system and is one of the most common diseases in men in general. According to various estimates, up to 50% of men suffer from some form of prostatitis, so that the disease takes on social significance.

Prostate - unpaired glandular-muscular body, functionally dependent on the level of male sex hormones (androgens), weighing about 25 grams, size 3.0 x4, 0x2, 5 cm, cone-shaped, located between the bladder and the urogenital diaphragm pelvis.

Iron is finally formed at puberty in males and regresses elderly. Decreasing androgen levels in blood functional activity of prostatic cancer is also reduced.

The secret of the prostate is up to 35% of the contents of sperm, increasing its volume, is involved in its dilution, has a stabilizing effect on the enzymatic and ejaculate in general and activates the movement of sperm. So the normal functioning of a healthy prostate gland - an important condition fulfilling sex life of men. Problems arise when the prostate gland dysfunction occurs long before the time appointed by nature. Very often, these problems are connected with the occurrence of a disease, as prostatitis.

Prostatitis - is infectious and inflammatory disease of the prostate gland, often manifested only mild symptoms and therefore it is difficult to diagnose, which in turn can cause late-treatment the patient to the doctor.

There are acute and chronic prostatitis, the latter may arise as a result of acute prostatitis or develop their own.

Recently there has been an increased incidence of prostatitis. In areas with low seasonal temperatures, with significant differences of its high moisture content and it is particularly high, reaching 70%. Striking men relatively young age (20-50 years), prostatitis can lead to functional impairment of sexual intercourse (premature ejaculation, the weakening of adequate erection, orgasm and effacement, etc.), and is often a cause of male infertility.

Acute prostatitis occurs with clinical symptoms (pain in the perineum, suprapubic, at the root of the penis, in the sacrum and in the urethra, fever, disorders of urination, etc.), whereas the clinical manifestations of chronic prostatitis can vary from minor, for patients who do not pay attention to the very pronounced symptoms, exhausting his constancy.

Often the long-term course of prostatitis complicated by inflammation of the seminal vesicles, testis and epididymis, sclerosis of the bladder neck and prostate, which, in turn, exacerbate the patient's condition.

The cause of infectious prostatitis may be a variety of bacteria, viruses, chlamydia, ureaplasma, mycoplasma, fungi, trichomonas, and other microorganisms, and the role of infections, sexually transmitted infections in the occurrence of prostatitis recently increased significantly.

The main sources of infection of the prostate are: bacterial vaginosis in women, infection of other foci of infection in the body (tonsillitis, sinusitis, sinusitis, peridontity, pneumonia, cholecystitis and cholangitis, proctitis, purulent skin diseases, etc.), hospital infection microflora. Sometimes stubborn for prostatitis is associated with allergic and autoimmune processes.

The most common microbes that are responsible for the occurrence of prostatitis is the so-called - Gram-positive microbial flora (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus), although often the cause of prostatitis can be gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus, etc.).

Many doctors believe that prostatitis is closely related to the stagnation in the prostate gland, leading eventually to the overflow of blood and blood prostate swelling. They even emit an independent form of prostatitis associated with stagnation in the prostate, called congestive (stagnant), prostatitis, when for all the clinical symptoms of the disease and no inflammatory changes in prostatic infection.

However, the underlying non-infectious prostatitis congestion in the pelvis and in the prostate gland itself are a good backdrop for the accession of the particular disease. At the same predisposing factors for infection are joining the cold factor, vascular, trophic and morphological changes in the pelvic organs, immune deficiency.

Venous stasis in the pelvis contribute to the structural features of its venous plexus and the most near prostatic space. By the stagnation in the pelvis can cause diseases of the rectum and surrounding tissue (abscess), hemorrhoids, anal fissures, as well as alcohol consumption, intake of spicy food, etc.
Prostatitis, Which Might Not Be


It should be noted adverse effect on the functional state of the prostate sedentary lifestyles and occupations associated with exposure to vibration (drivers of vehicles, etc.). It is believed that non-infectious prostatitis does not happen, and they are next due to microorganisms, united under the name of "opportunistic infections" that are difficult to diagnose because of the lack of appropriate laboratory facilities.

There are also a number of habits that increase the probability of hit men at risk of prostatitis: oral-genital or anal intercourse, sexual perversions and excesses dysrhythmia sex life, interrupted and deliberately tightened sexual acts, sexual frustration. It should point out the harm of excessive masturbation sessions.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis can be a serious problem for doctors, urologists, and should, as a rule, be comprehensive, including drug therapy against the background of local and sometimes the overall impact of physical therapy, which is often chosen individually according to the clinical manifestations of the disease, the characteristics of the patient.

Recently, with the commercialization of medicine, treatment success depends on the financial capacity of the patient, as the cost of treatment is highly effective drugs and methods considerably exceeds the average statistical level of wages in the country.

Prevention of prostatitis can be divided into primary and secondary. By means of primary prevention activities to the inadmissibility of this disease, and a secondary - prevention of relapse after successful treatment.

Primary prevention of chronic prostatitis is a leading healthy, active lifestyle, full and varied diet, with no excess acute, irritating foods, limiting alcohol use, occupation bracing gymnast or if required (sedentary work, for example) special physical therapy aimed at improving the microcirculation (blood flow) in the pelvic organs and the strengthening of his muscles (squats, mahi and cycling leg movements, muscle tension crotch with retraction of the anus, etc.), prevention, prompt and adequate treatment of infectious (septic), diseases of other organs, preventing stagnation in the small pelvis (elimination of constipation, etc.) and diseases of the rectum.

Youths useful to engage in sports such as athletics, swimming, skiing, skating, badminton, etc.

For men, an ordering of sexual relations, the exclusion of casual sex, which can be fraught with numerous infections, sexually transmitted infections and underlying most of prostatitis.

Secondary prevention of prostatitis is aimed at preventing the recurrence of the disease, their timely diagnosis and treatment, especially not clinically manifested forms of the disease. To this end, shows the dynamic observation of the patient by a doctor, a urologist at the background of events for primary prevention.

Additional therapeutic effects identified during follow-up visits the doctor-urologist after treatment. Such inspections are recommended every month for the first three months after completion of treatment, the subsequent one every 3 months during the year, and further 1 every 6 months for 3 years, after which in the case of absence of recurrence of prostatitis patient can be removed from the register. When you visit a doctor without fail the analysis of prostate secretion, and after the treatment of infectious forms of the disease is desirable and bacteriological examination, persons older than 40 years shows an ultrasonic examination of the prostate, the definition of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is not less than 1 time per year.

Important role in the timely recognition of prostatitis dispensary has a doctor's visit a urologist healthy men over 40 years old and out of high-risk groups.

In conclusion, we can summarize what today has become more urgent prevention of prostatitis, so how to prevent it much easier and cheaper than then years engaged in treatment with no guaranteed result. In other words, the concept of health gains significance of the material, allowing citizens to save substantial material resources spent on the treatment of diseases which could have been avoided.

Congenital Curvature

There are two causes of congenital curvature:
1. asymmetry (different length) of cavernous bodies which leads to curvature aside
2. relative shortening of urethra

The possibility to have erection persists, however, curvature may cause serious difficulties in sexual life. Major method of treatment is surgery during which is shortened albugineous tunic with curvature lowering.

The are two ways of performing the operation:
1) overlap of lengthwise parallel astringent stitches on albugineous tunic of penis without its preliminary exsection. Thus, time for operation is reduced and cavernous tissue is not damaged which is inevitable during resection of part of albugineous tunic. As vessels and nerves of penis during operation are not damaged, there are no serious complication after it.

2) resection of segment of albugineous tunic and mergence of defected edges against each other. On albugineous tunic appears a quite solid adhesion. However, major problem of this method is following: during resection of segment of albugineous tunic inevitably gets traumatized a part of cavernous tissue near resecting fragment of albugineous tunic.

This may lead to fibrotic changes in cavernous tissue and development of erectile dysfunction. Therefore this method of operation is used quite rarely because the majority of patients with congenital curvature are young males and the problem of normal functioning of cavernous tissue remains actual.