How does Testosterone Affect Sexual Health?
Can testosterone improve sexual health?
Many factors fuel the sexual health of men as well as their sexual performance, ability to perform and changes in their ability to function as they once could. Low testosterone plays a significant factor in all of these and treating Low T can improve interest in sex, sexual function and sexual performance.
The Effects of Low T on Sexual Health
While we do understand that testosterone production comes from a healthy HPA Axis, or communication between your Hypothalamus, Pituitary Glands, Adrenals and Testicles, science still does not understand exactly how testosterone improves sexual health or performance. As you probably noticed in High School, College or amongst your friends, there is no normal level of sexual interest amongst men or women.
Like your testosterone levels, it peaks around 19 and usually slowly declines for the rest of your life. Each person takes a different path, however, and declining sexual interest is typically tied to declining testosterone levels. These levels can follow a steady decline, or can be accelerated by health issues, stress, poor sleep and even by keeping sexually active. Many men can lose sexual interest at normal testosterone levels or maintain sexual health even at low testosterone levels but as testosterone levels get depleted it will universally effect sexual interest and performance.
One study of Men in the NE of the US showed 11% of men had a lack of sex drive. The researchers also found 28% of men with low testosterone levels had a low libido which means that men with low testosterone levels were 256% more likely to have low sex drive or low libido. The average age of the study participants was 47.
Low Testosterone and Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile Dysfunction, or ED, can be caused by many health problems including low testosterone, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Those last three items all cause hardening of the arteries. If they are damaged, the penis has difficulty dilating and bringing sufficient blood flow required for an erection. Testosterone therapy can lead to increased libido and interaction and connection between the brain and penis.
Viagra is an example of an oral PDE5 inhibitors that encourage an increase in nitric oxide which dilates the blood vessels and encourages more blood flow to the penis. Three potent selective PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil (Viagra; Pfizer), tadalafil (Cialis; Lilly), and vardenafil (Levitra; Bayer)) are currently available. Testosterone therapy will often increase the libido and sexual function to erase Erectile Dysfunction, but often our physicians will prescribe a combination with PDE5 inhibitors as well.
Studies are showing that men with classic hypogonadism, or low testosterone, have a reduced response to PDE5 inhibitors and see a significant response improvement with Testosterone Therapy. For patients who fail to see ED improvement following TRT and PDE5 inhibitors we can prescribe and test the direct injectable Trimix.
The Connection of Testosterone Levels and Sexual Health
While this sounds like a juvenile sex joke, we are now seeing that lowered testosterone levels lead to a decreased sex life, but that a decreased sex life also can lower ones testosterone levels in a study at the University of Sydney in Australia.
Researchers followed 1,700 men over the age of 70. The study asked questions and measured a number of things. The study tracked the ability to keep and maintain an erection. It measured the frequency that sexual activity led to ejaculation (through masturbation or sexual intercourse). The study also tracked libido and sexual health versus earlier times in their lives.
During the study, all of the men had blood tests regularly taken and the following tests measured: Total Testosterone, Free Testosterone, Estrogen, SHGB and some other hormones.
Researchers discovered a 10% reduction in testosterone levels led to a noticeable decrease in sexual activity but no change in the number of erections. Another study showed that testosterone levels increased on night after sexual activity without any increase on nights where there was no sexual activity. Physicians are concerned that a lack of sexual activity can accelerate low testosterone.
A further study showed that men taking Cialis had higher testosterone levels than men taking Viagra. Both drugs are PDE5 inhibitors to boost nitric oxide and blood flow to the penis. Cialis, however, last 36 hours for most people rather than 6-8 hours. Cialis users typically have more intercourse over this extended time period.
The researchers concluded that “as it is unlikely that the two drugs have a different direct effect on the pituitary-testis axis, this effect is probably due to the higher frequency of full sexual intercourse.”
A Chinese study observed a group of men that abstained from ejaculation for one week and had their testosterone levels tested each day. Research showed that abstaining for 6 days had no effect on testosterone levels, however, on the seventh day the testosterone levels surged to 145.7% of the baseline then plummeted on the 8th day.
The researchers believe the testosterone surge was the result of a negative feedback suppression of Luteinizing hormone (LH secretion) which is essential for testosterone production.
Hormone Therapeutics aims to help people looking to improve and optimize their health through natural means or through the guidance of our physicians.
Don’t miss out our free weekly tips and news on Low T, hormone balancing, healthy living, nutrition and a lot more.
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How does Testosterone Affect Sexual Health?
Saleamp Design November 15th, 2016
Posted In: Low T Info
Tags: atherosclerosis, Bayer, blood flow, boner, Cialis, diabetes, dilates, ED, erectile dysfunction, erection, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypogonadism, inhibitors, intercourse, Levitra, LH, LH secretion, libido, Lilly, Lutenizing hormone, nitric oxide, PDE5, PDE5 inhibitors, penis, Pfizer, pituitary, sex drive, sexual health, sexual performance, sildenafil, tadalafil, testes, testicles, testosterone level, testosterone therapy, trimix, TRT, vardenafil, Viagra
Do Testosterone Supplements Work?
Are testosterone supplements truly effective? Sadly no. Many guys think they can just pop a few “natural enhancers” and their T levels will magically increase. If you’re eating garbage, not exercising, and not getting enough sleep, no amount of testosterone supplements is going to help your testosterone levels reach optimal levels.
Does the FDA Approve or Test Testosterone Supplements?
No. Supplement manufacturers, and distributors, have no FDA testing or approval requirements. Since there is no testing, there is not the same type of oversight on medications that go through rigorous testing programs before it can be released to the public.
These rigorous testing programs also limit what pharmaceutical companies can and cannot say when marketing their products which oversight supplement companies do not have to worry about. When Hormone Therapeutics prescribes Testosterone and other hormones these products are created and tested in sterile laboratories and marketing regulations are very specific on what one can and cannot say as far as the efficacy of the product. A Supplement firm is only responsible for ensuring, ON THEIR OWN, that:
- The testosterone supplements are safe
- Claims are not false or misleading
- The supplement complies with FDA regulations
Essentially, they are allowed to police themselves and only under scrutiny if someone complains.
Testosterone Supplements We Believe In
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 is actually a hormone and not a vitamin. Vitamin D3 provides a whole host of health benefits. We naturally make vitamin D from the sun, but only when we are outside. Studies are showing we getting sub deprived as Westerners spend more time inside. Sunscreen also inhibits vitamin D3 production which can hinder testosterone production. Studies have shown that men who take Vitamin D3 supplements see a boost in testosterone levels.
Omega-3 Fish Oil
Fish oil lower SHBG and increase LH (Luteinizing Hormone) production. LH is the key precursor hormone triggering the gonads to produce testosterone. It’s a good fat and great for the heart.
Whey Protein + Creatine shake
Whey protein in an unsweet coconut milk shake with a scoop of creatine is a good pre workout to fuel muscles and help them rebuild afterwards.
Testosterone Supplement We Deem Unnecessary
Vitamin C
There are many internet ads touting Vitamin C’s benefits for “how to increase testosterone”. Most of us get enough Vitamin C from our diets and the only studies we found that showed Vitamin C increasing testosterone levels was in diabetic mice. So, if you are a diabetic mouse, up your Vitamin C.
Hormone Therapeutics aims to help people looking to improve and optimize their health through natural means or through the guidance of our physicians.
Don’t miss out our free weekly tips and news on Low T, hormone balancing, healthy living, nutrition and a lot more.
Want more?
Sign up today and Get our ebook, ‘Naturally Increase Your Testosterone Levels’ absolutely FREE.
Do Testosterone Supplements Work?
Saleamp Design October 25th, 2016
Posted In: Testosterone Therapy
Tags: creatine, FDA, fish oil, how to increase testosterone, Lutenizing hormone, Omega-3, SHBG, supplements, testosterone boosters, testosterone pill, testosterone supplements, vitamin c, vitamin D, whey protein
