| ironhorses1@tiscali.co.uk 2006-07-25, 2:22 am |
| What about taking tribulus terestris to reactivate testerone production
in a more natural way? Most people who take tribulus say that it has
boosted their libido and increased the size and density of their
testicles after about 2-3 months use. Anyone here tried it?
c palmer wrote:
> just for general information.........
>
> ~ curtis
>
> ========
>
> This article discusses andropause or viropause -- a syndrome associated
> with lack of or absence of testosterone. Even in healthy men, by the
> age of 55, the amount of testosterone secreted into the bloodstream is
> significantly lower than it was just ten years before. In fact, by age
> 80, most male hormone levels have decreased to pre-puberty levels.
>
> There are two general forms found in adult men who had normal hormone
> levels through puberty and young adulthood and who experience normal
> sexual development.
>
> One form, analogous to female menopause, as associated with the rapid
> drop of testosterone levels. Typical symptoms of this include:
>
> Fatigue, loss of a sense of well being -- 82%Joint aches and stiffness
> of hands -- 60%Hot flashes, sleep disturbances -- 50%Depression --
> 70%Irritability and anger --
> 60%Reduced libido --
> 80%Reduced potency --
> 80%Premature aging
>
> Changes in hair growth and skin quality
> Sounds familar..... for women at midlife..... because it is the same
> condition because the relationship between the ovaries, estrogen, the
> brain, and the pituitary are exactly the same as the relationship
> between the testis, testosterone, the brain, and the pituitary.
> Acute andropause in men is relatively uncommon, compared to acute
> menopause in women, because testicular function declines gradually in
> most men.
>
> There are a number of common causes, however, for acute testicular
> failure in adult men and these include:
> viral infections such as mumps (which fortunately has been eradiacated
> by immunization)surgical removal of or surgical injury to the testis and
> male reproductive tract ( testicular cancer, hernia repairs,
> ??vasectomies)diseases when the immune system attacks and destroys the
> testis such as variations of systemic lupus erythematosissubtle genetic
> abnormalities which permit normal adult development but lead to
> premature testicular failure (such as chromosomal mosaicism)generalized
> vascular diseases such as diabetes and perhaps even problems caused by
> heavy smokingchemotherapypituitary tumors (very rare)
>
> The second form of this syndrome is more insidious since it occurs
> gradually. It is often confused with male midlife psychological
> adjustment disorders because it exactly mimics depression in midlife
> men. Male hormones decline gradually. Testosterone (from the
> testis), human growth hormone (from the pituitary), and DHEA and
> androstenedione (from the adrenal gland) all begin to drop.
>
> For many men, this does not occur until their 60s or 70s but there
> are older where it occurs much earlier. In addition, there is
> proteins in the blood which bind testosterone in a biologically inactive
> form. These are called sex human binding proteins or globulins.
> Their levels can rise in response to many conditions including medical
> disorders and exposure to other hormones including phytoestrogens
> (estrogens derived from plant sources such as soy) and other
> environmental estrogen -like compounds (pesticides, hormones used in
> agribusiness to produce fatter animals, etc.) As an example, there
> is some data suggesting that men on low fat or vegetarian diets have
> lower testosterone levels. The overall effect of rising sex hormone
> binding proteins is that there is less bio-available testosterone.
>
>
> Diagnosis
>
> First, men need to disassociate their ego from their testicles. Men
> needs to realize and accept that this disorder exists, that it is a
> simple endocrine problem which is no different than thyroid disease or
> diabetes, and that it can be treated. Spouses and employers also need to
> be aware that this is real so they can identify these men at risk early
> before their work, home, and families are disrupted. Perhaps, more
> important, physicians, psychologists, and other health providers need to
> be taught about this condition. The current paradigm in medicine is
> that there is no biological basis for behavioral changes in midlife men
> so it is ignored. But the diagnosis is quite simple--namely measuring
> either free testosterone blood levels or, as recommended by Dr. Malcolm
> Carruthers, computing the free androgen index <FAI> (total
> testosterone x 100 /sex hormone binding globulin). There is some
> controversy as to what level of testosterone in men is normal with low
> end values ranging from 250-400ng/dl.
>
> NORMAL ANDROGEN
>
> LEVELSmeanrangeFree testosterone -- men700 ng/dl300-1100Free
> testosterone -- women40 ng/dl15-70Free Androgen Index 70-100%
>
> At a free androgen index less than 50% , symptoms of andropause
> appears. Of course, good medical care dictates that a comprehensive
> medical and psychological assessment along with a thorough laboratory
> assessment are necessary.
> Testosterone Replacement Therapy
> There is good evidence that testosterone levels drop as a man ages.
> There is a huge debate whether the testosterone level in older men
> should be adjusted up the mean testosterone levels in younger men.
>
> What are the risks?
>
> Prostate cancer-- At autopsies, most men by age 50 have nests of
> atypical cells in their prostate which look like prostate cancer
> cells. There is a great deal of concern among urologists--
> particularly in the US when medical malpractice suits are a major
> concern-- that increasing testosterone levels might activate prostate
> cancer. On the other hand, there is a good screening test called
> Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) which all men over age 50 should have
> performed annually and which is relatively effective in detecting early
> prostate cancer. There is no evidence in the medical literature that
> testosterone replacement therapy increases the risk of prostate
> cancer.Heart disease--there is a major concern that increasing male
> androgen levels would also increase serum cholesterol and serum
> LDL-Cholesterol levels. Oral methyltestosterone in particular will
> raise blood cholesterol levels. This increases the risk for coronary
> artery disease. On the other hand, "good" cholesterol
> (HDL-Cholesterol increases with exercise. Men using testosterone
> supplementation should have their serum lipids carefully evaluated and
> rechecked periodically.Liver Disease--the only orally available forms of
> testosterone for men in the USA contain methyltestosterone.
> Unfortunately, if used for sustained periods of time, it can damage the
> liver.
>
> The Physicians Desk Reference cites several different forms of liver
> damage from high dose methyl- testosterone including liver cancer,
> cholestatic hepatitis, and other liver diseases.Suppression of
> testicular function--As a general principle, whenever any hormone is
> administered, the gland which normal produces it ceases to function and
> recovery may be variable. Patients with borderline low testosterone
> levels may commit themselves to lifelong therapy if they start with
> testosterone replacement.
>
> What are the benefits?
>
> There is no doubt that the administration to testosterone to men with
> true testosterone deficency states will improve their health and sense
> of well being. The symptoms listed above will disappear.
> Unfortunately, impotence, or the inability to sustain and erection, does
> not respond well to testosterone therapy except perhaps only in men with
> severe hormone deficiencies. This comprises approximately 8-16% of
> men presenting to physicians with erectile disorders. There is no
> evidence that administering testosterone to men with borderline low
> testosterone levels will improve sexual functioning. For more
> information on erectile disorders, see our article on Impotence.
>
> Forms of Testosterone for Men
> Pills
>
> Methyltestosterone (Android,Virilon,Testred, Oreton) 10mg,
> 25mg (not recommended)
> Testosterone undecanoate (Restandol, Andriol) 40mg, essentially a
> testosterone in oil preparation (not available in the USA)
> Mesterolone (Proviron) 25mg -- less potent (not available in the USA)
> Transdermal Preparations
> Testosterone--transdermal (Testoderm, Testoderm TTS, Androderm)
> Injections
> The following forms of injectable testosterone is available in the USA.
> Testosterone Cypionate 100 mg/ml Testosterone Propionate in Oil 100
> mg/ml Testosterone Enanthanate 200 mg/ml
> The usual dose is 1cc injected weekly or bi-weekly. This route of
> administration eliminates the risk of liver damage which may be caused
> by methyltestosterone as well as eliminating the theoretical risk of
> changes in cholesterol caused by oral medications. The problem is
> fluctuating hormone levels and the discomfort of administration.
>
> knowledge is power - growing old is mandatory - growing wise is optional
> "Many more men die with prostate cancer than of it. Growing old is
> invariably fatal. Prostate cancer is only sometimes so."
> http://community.webtv.net/PALMER_ENT/doc
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