Testosterone has always been known as the male sex hormone, although it has now been shown to be linked to longer healthier lives in both men and women. As testosterone levels decrease with age, there are health problems that accompany this decline. Testosterone replacement has been shown to be effective in providing many of these health benefits:

 Results in increased muscle strength and lean body mass, improved sexual response, reversal of impotence, and improved body composition. Testosterone has also been shown to prevent osteoporosis, arthritis and degenerative joint change. It improves the sense of well being and depressed mood that is frequently seen in andropause. It has also been shown to improve memory, such as estrogen in women.

Men who receive testosterone replacement consequently report that they feel sexier, stronger and healthier. They state that it makes them feel as they did when they were in their prime. After all this is what replenishment of hormones is all about. It is about restoring hormones to youthful levels so you can feel as you did when you were at the peak of your physical and mental ability. Testosterone can stop and reverse the physical decline that robs men of their energy, strength and libido. Testosterone can restore muscle tone and improve stamina. Testosterone can restore healthy sexual excitement and desire, which in turn results in an improvement in mood and overall well being.

Testosterone is responsible for the sex drive for both men and women. As testosterone diminishes with age so does the sexual functioning in both men and women. Restoring testosterone to youthful levels in both men and women can reverse the situation. All too often, men and women automatically assume that as they age, their sexual capacity will diminish. There is no need to accept this loss of sexuality. Testosterone can play a critical role in helping to preserve and even restore sexual desire and function so that we can live our extended life span with the same excitement and enthusiasm we enjoyed in our youth.

Physicians are witnessing an explosion of interest in testosterone as a result of our growing realization that testosterone levels decline with age and that many men suffer serious consequences to their physical and mental health as a result. In women, it is expressed as menopause, whereas in men, it is expressed as andropause. Many of these symptoms and disease processes that we have come to accept as normal aging are processes that are actually secondary to low testosterone levels and are easily correctable. Testosterone supplementation results in increased muscle strength, muscle size, increased energy level, decreased fat and increased desire and endurance for exercise. As a result of this, the FDA recently approved the testosterone patch. Now both men and women may be treated for their sex hormone deficiencies.

Testosterone replacement in the past has been associated with increased cholesterol levels. We feel this is probably secondary to the use of synthetic testosterone that resulted in liver dysfunction and the concomitant elevation of cholesterol. Studies now show that replenish with natural testosterone results in a decreased cholesterol and increased HDL, similar to what has been realized in women taking estrogen. This has also been my own personal experience in treating men with testosterone, which results in lower cholesterol levels as well as higher good cholesterol or HDL. Fortunately, we now realize that replenishment of testosterone results in health benefits similar to estrogen replenishment. How many supplements that we take are not only beneficial to our health but also result in increased energy, increased stamina and an elevated mood? What other supplement can build a strong body, strong muscles, strong bones, strong ligaments, and trim fat at the same time? An added benefit is an improved desire to exercise due to less exhaustion and lazitude. Clearly, testosterone is shown to have a positive impact on our health and well being, our mood and our ability to learn and retain information.

Testosterone has been administered in the form of injections and oral supplements. We prefer not to use either of these methods as the testosterone is in the synthetic form. Testosterone patches are also available. We have found these patches to be an unacceptable secondary to the inability to get optional blood levels, the uncomfortable feeling of the patch and the unsightly tattoos that result from their use. Most patients prefer not to use these patches after experimenting with them. The method of choice is natural testosterone gel that is applied to the skin. The dose will be individualized based on age, body weight, and blood levels.

Testosterone cannot be used if one has prostate cancer. Testosterone has not been shown to cause prostate cancer, however, if one does have prostate cancer, testosterone may cause accelerated growth of this tumor. Therefore, there is a need to monitor the PSA on a regular basis to assure that one does not develop prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It can be easily detected by an annual PSA test. In addition to testosterone supplementation. Youth Tech recommends daily use of Saw Palmetto, which is a medication to protect the prostate and prevent enlargement of the prostate due to formation of DHT. Most men develop prostate hypertrophy in their later years, and this can be effectively treated and prevented by daily use of Saw Palmetto.