Testosterone – Not Just for Your Libido

Testosterone: for Libido and More

Testosterone has been used for years to treat erectile dysfunction as well as low libido but recent studies have shown it to have many more advantages.  The benefits are well documented in multiple scientific journals including endocrinology and urology journals. They include improved sleep to improved cardiac blood flow,  the benefits are far-reaching.

So before getting agitated with your doctor when he or she discusses hormone replacement look at the benefits and remember you maybe improving your overall health, because testosterone is not just for your libido. Don’t let low testosterone slow you down.

Sleep

As we age our sleep pattern is not as consistent. Many seniors will tell you it is the rare morning that they wake up feeling refreshed. They may have trouble falling asleep and then find themselves waking up at 3-4 in the morning unable to fall back asleep. When their testosterone is optimized they have a marked improvement in the quality of sleep and often sleep through the night reporting that they often wake up feeling well rested.

Bone Mineral Density

Osteopenia and osteoporosis are epidemics in our aging population . The cost to our health care system is in the billions for treatment of hip fractures and the risk of death nears 50% in those with fractures over 65. We all have heard the benefits of vitamin D and calcium but we hear little if anything about testosterone.

One of the benefits is improved bone density with optimization of testosterone. It is more effective at building bone than the traditional medications on the market approved for treatment of osteoporosis.

Mood

Don’t become a grumpy old man. Most spouses are concerned with husbands becoming to aggressive with testosterone optimization. In reality they have a feeling of well-being and begin to enjoy things that they had lost interest in. The aggressiveness is associated with super physiologic levels seen with testosterone abuse. Men with low testosterone tend to be more easily frustrated and display depressive symptoms. They also lack motivation.

Lean Muscle Mass

Every year after 30 men have a decrease in lean muscle mass reaching an accelerated rate at or around 50 . It is now that you can be losing up to 5% of lean muscle mass  a year. With the addition of testosterone we can stop this process and actually reverse the whole process.

This is on way to make our older population independent for a longer period of time and improve quality of life. Couple testosterone replacement with a strength program and much of the loss of lean body mass that occurs with aging can be minimize.

Memory and Concentration

Testosterone depletion can lead to want many people describe as adult onset ADD, in reality it is no more than lack of optimal testosterone levels. Many patients report a clearer mind with better memory as early as 2 -3 weeks after optimizing their testosterone levels. Names, phone numbers are recalled more easily for many men treated for low testosterone. Multi-tasking is improved in some following testosterone replacement as well.

Metabolic Syndrome

The metabolic syndrome is defined by central obesity, hyperlipidemia, elevated blood pressure and abnormal fasting blood sugar.  Testosterone optimization has direct effect decreasing body fat, correcting cholesterol abnormalities, increasing insulin sensitivity leading to better sugar control. Muscle contains insulin receptors. The more muscle you have, the more insulin receptors you have and the easier it becomes to control blood sugar.  All of these help with lowering  blood pressure.

Cardiac Benefits

Testosterone has a direct effect on the heart, increasing coronary blood flow. reversing atherosclerotic plaque and regeneration of the endothelium. All of which decreases the risk of heart attack. Testosterone also stimulates the bone marrow to produce endothelial progenitor cells (stem cells) that repair the inner lining of our blood vessels.

Libido

Finally libido, yes, once the level of testosterone is optimized there is a marked increase in sex drive and for some that’s enough for the others it’s icing on the cake. But, some men may still need a little help with drugs like Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, or Stendra for adequate sexual performance.

More Than a Libido Drug

Unfortunately, the sexual benefits of testosterone replacement overshadow the more important benefits of testosterone. Testosterone is both brain and cardio-protective.

See related articles.

“Normal Testosterone Levels?”

“Hormone Therapy for Men: Demystifying the Myths”

“Better Living Through Hormone Replacement Therapy”

“Nonsexual Symptoms of Low T”