FAQs on Andropause

Q: Does having to take testosterone mean that I'm somehow less "manly"?
A: Not at all. In fact, even the most "macho" men can develop this condition.

Q: Does Viagra have the same actions as testosterone?
A: Testosterone replacement therapy works differently from Viagra, which acts on the penis only by maintaining an erection. Testosterone works on the whole body and all aspects of sexual response. Testosterone is the hormone of sexual desire in both men and women. As a result, if testosterone levels are low, so is the desire for sex. Erectile dysfunction (or ED) is a complex problem that requires a thorough psychological and physical exam. Physicians may use a combination of approaches to treat ED, however, Viagra may treat one part of the man. Testosterone replacement therapy not only improves a man’s erectile quality, it can improve sexual desire and prevent debilitating diseases like osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

Q: I am already taking so many medications. Should I learn to age gracefully without taking any more medicines?
A: It took many years for women to accept hormone replacement therapy. Estrogens are known to offer postmenopausal women many physical benefits, improve their psychological well-being and therefore their overall quality of life.

Q: I am 72 years old. Am I too old to start testosterone therapy?
A: No patient is too old to start testosterone therapy if it is clearly indicated. As for any medication, testosterone should be taken under a physician's care, with appropriate follow-up evaluations.

Q: Doesn't testosterone make men aggressive and hostile?
A: Because of reports of the abuse of anabolic steroids by athletes, testosterone has suffered a negative public image. The perception is that testosterone is responsible for undesirable male traits such as aggression and hypersexuality. And some people have developed a fear that it will “bring out the beast in men�? These, of course, are myths. They stem from results of testosterone being used by men with normal testosterone levels who took testosterone at doses which were much higher than supplementation doses that are used in men going through andropause.

Q: I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Can I take testosterone?
A: No. In men who have an existing cancer of the prostate, testosterone can promote its growth. This is why testosterone replacement is not recommended for men with prostate cancer.

Q: I have an enlarged prostate. Can I take testosterone?
A: The prostate slowly enlarges as men age. And in some men, testosterone can cause this process to speed up. Consequently, some men with enlarged prostates can qualify for testosterone therapy, but others do not. Only a physician can make the decision of whether you qualify. If you do take testosterone replacement, your physician will monitor the health of your prostate with regular (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood tests and physical examinations.