Contents:
- Medical Video: Patient Education Video: Low Testosterone
- What is testosterone gel?
- Is it effective?
- Does testosterone gel have side effects?
- What you should pay attention to when using testosterone gel
Medical Video: Patient Education Video: Low Testosterone
One reason for decreasing male sex drive is a decrease in the production of the hormone testosterone, as we get older. Testosterone is a sex hormone produced in the testicles. Testosterone is responsible for stimulating sperm production and increasing libido. To get around this, most men choose to apply testosterone gel to increase their sex drive before making love. But, is it safe?
What is testosterone gel?
Testosterone gel is a medicinehormone replacement used when Testosterone levels in the body are very low. There are many causes of decreased testosterone levels, from aging to conditionshypogonadism, where the body is unable to produce enough testosterone.
Testosterone deficiency can cause fertility disorders, erectile disorderand obstructed puberty and the growth of reproductive organs in men. Low testosterone can also affect energy, metabolism, and sexual arousal.
After the gel is applied to the surface of the penis skin and absorbs well, the artificial testosterone contained in it will help increase the supply of testosterone in the bloodstream.
Is it effective?
Reporting from Reuters, research by Baylor College of Medicine and Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center found that testosterone gel is not only able to increase sexual arousal due to a decrease in testosterone related to aging, but also in young men who experience decreased sex drive due to certain health conditions.
Research that has been published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism involving 470 men aged 65 years and over who had low testosterone levels. The study participants were randomly selected and divided into two groups. One group was given testosterone gel for 12 months and the second group was given a placebo gel (empty drug).
After one year, the researchers conducted blood tests on the study participants. As a result, study participants who used testosterone gel experienced an increase in testosterone from 234 ng / dL to 500 ng / dL. While the study participants who did not use placebo gel did not experience changes.
Does testosterone gel have side effects?
Each person's reaction to testosterone gel varies. Some of the side effects that commonly occur when using testosterone gel, including:
- Headache and dizzy
- Mood swings
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Changes in some blood test results
- Difficulty urinating
- Blood pressure rises
- Swollen hands or feet
- Body hair increases
- Weight gain
- Baldness head
- Enlarged breasts
If the side effects persist or you experience an allergic reaction after using testosterone drugs, see a doctor immediately.
What you should pay attention to when using testosterone gel
- Please be careful when using testosterone gel if you have kidney problems, heart problems, high blood pressure, liver disorders, diabetes, epilepsy, migraines, and cancer.
- If you erect too often, consult your doctor. Stop treatment to avoid injury.
- Inform your doctor if you are using other drugs, including supplements or herbal medicines.
- Tell your doctor if you will undergo a certain medical examination. Using this testosterone gel can affect test results (for example, in an antidoping test).
- If an allergic reaction or overdose occurs, see a doctor immediately.
- Use in the form of a gel can make other people exposed to testosterone if skin contact occurs. It is recommended to cover or protect the gel-coated part to avoid unwanted side effects in others when skin contact occurs.
- Testosterone gel should not be exposed to pregnant women. Be careful if your wife is pregnant.
- During the use of a testosterone gel, check with your doctor regularly so that your body's hormone levels and development of your condition can be monitored.
- If you forget to use testosterone gel, it is recommended to do it immediately if you pause with the schedule for the next use not too close. If it's close, ignore it and don't double the dose.
- When using it, let the gel absorb completely, then wear your clothes.
- If there are clothes or objects exposed to gel exposure, make sure you wash them immediately until the gel is gone.
- Don't forget to wash your hands after you apply testosterone medication.
