Testosterone and ED

[Nemo]

I'd really check into that Alpine - everything I've read (and heard from my doctor) is that E2 is often the problem with libido or ED (when it's a hormonal issue) ... Usually the problem is high E2, but low E2 can have many of the same effects. Generally, it's considered that the proper ratio between Testosterone and E2 is 20-1 or 30-1. When T and E2 get out of proportion to each other, problems can ensue. In fact, one of the reasons an expert in male hormone replacement is needed when taking Testosterone is to make sure other things don't get out of whack, like E2 skyrocketing. Your Test could be top of the range, but if E2 is also too high, you'd see no benefit.

I'd sure check into it. It could also be the source of your water retention issue.

Nemo

[Nemo]

My doctor has just decided to put me on testosterone injections, one per week, 100mg. My Testosterone has been averaging in the 400s, my Estradiol around 14 - both a are lower than you'd want for a man of 38 years.

I'm a little nervous about being on supplemental T, to be honest, but I know there is a chance this could really improve my life with more energy, an improved sense of well-being, more frequent nocturnal erections, morning erections (which I haven't had in years) and higher libido. Yes, there will be side effects, but hopefully they'll be outweighed by the gains.

I'll keep you posted.

Nemo

[Flavio]

Ydrohoos once mentioned a possible connection between dopaminergic drugs (e.g. apomorphine, cabergoline) and testosterone levels. Do these drugs increase testosterone? Any info on this?

[Nemo]

I've heard Cabergoline increases libido and reduces prolactin, but I've not heard it increases testosterone directly.

[Flavio]

Here's a study that shows that treatment with bromocriptine, another dopaminergic agent, improved erectile function but did not alter hormone levels:


STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF BROMOCRIPTINE ON SEXUAL IMPOTENCE


B. AMBROSI 1 , ROSSELLA BARA 1 , P. TRAVAGLINI 1 , GIOVANNA WEBER 1 , P. BECK PECCOZ 1 , M. RONDENA 1 , R. ELLI 1 G. FAGLIA 1
1 2nd Medical Clinic, Endocrine Unit, University of Milan, Italy
Correspondence: Dr B. Ambrosi, 2nd Medical Clinic, Endocrine Unit, Pad. Sacco, University of Milan, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy.
Copyright 1977 Blackwell Scientific Publications Ltd.
ABSTRACT


Serum testosterone, prolactin, LH, FSH and plasma 17β-oestradiol levels were determined in forty-seven male patients with sexual impotence. Low testosterone values and slightly elevated prolactin levels were observed in 19% and in 17% of cases, respectively. Since sexual function in the male seems to be controlled by both dopaminergic stimulatory and serotoninergic inhibitory mechanisms, bromocriptine was given orally to seventeen patients. As the preliminary results appeared encouraging, a double blind study was undertaken in the other thirty patients. No appreciable difference in hormonal pattern was noticed between bromocriptine and placebo treatment. As far as sexual function was concerned, good results were obtained in 52% of cases treated with bromocriptine and in 44% of patients given placebo.

[Flavio]

Here's another study on the subject of testosterone and ED:


The role of testosterone in erectile dysfunction - Abstract

Monday, 04 January 2010
Sexual Medicine & Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a clinical disorder that results from a continuous spectrum of clinical factors, including physical illness (comprising the organic component of ED), reaction to stress (the intrapsychic component of ED) and relationship difficulties (the relationship component of ED). Testosterone clearly has a relevant role in all three causes of ED; the usefulness of this hormone in the treatment of ED has not, however, been completely clarified. The main physiological action of testosterone in the male sexual response is to regulate the timing of the erectile process as a function of sexual desire, thereby coordinating penile erection with sex. The link between ED, hypogonadism and underlying disorders (such as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus) is nowadays well documented. The recognition of underlying disorders might be useful in motivating men with ED to improve their health-related lifestyle choices. Hence, patients with ED might be considered 'lucky', because their disorder offers the opportunity to undergo medical examinations to detect underlying disease. Both ED and hypogonadism are treatable conditions. A range of testosterone preparations are available for supplementation; their combination with phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors might improve outcomes in some cases.

Written by:
Corona G, Maggi M.

Reference:
Nat Rev Urol. 2009 Dec 8. Epub ahead of print.
doi:10.1038/nrurol.2009.235

PubMed Abstract
PMID:19997070

UroToday.com Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Section

[Yannis]

This is Yannis from Greece,i have writen a short version of my story about ED at the new members section if anyone is interested.
when this problem started,about 15 years ago,i am now 36 years old,i visited an urologist.He ordered some blood tests and he said my testosterone levels were low for my age,i can't remember exactly,it was something like 400-450.He prescribed oral testosterone which did nothing.I know now that oral testosterone has actually no effect,if it is needed you should take intramuscular or patches.
In any case,i didn't give too much attention to this,because the levels were within the limits(although low for my age),i was convinced my ED was psychological and because i was a bit embarrased to do this talk again,since i work in the medicine field.
I am a microbiology and laboratory medicine doctor and now i have the chance to do the tests on my own,without having to talk to anyone about it,so a few weeks ago,i did the blood tests again (after so many years) and i discovered my testosterone levels were very low for my age,about 263!
I am not saying that this is the only reason for my ED,i still believe it is mostly psychological,but in any case it may contribute to this.
I talked to a friend and colleague of mine who is endocrinologist and he told me that before he gives me any Testosterone replacement therapy,we should run some tests to see whether there is a reason for this to happen,if for example the problem is in the testis or in the pituitary gland or hypothalamus in the brain and only if everything is ok,he would prescribe me testosterone,which is absolutely right,medically speaking.
In any case,i will let you know guys for any progress,as i said i am not sure whether testosterone will solve the problem,but in any case i should give it a try.

[Flavio]

This is Yannis from Greece,i have writen a short version of my story about ED at the new members section if anyone is interested.
[...]

I think I should also have my testosterone levels checked. I took finasteride for several years but decided to quit a few months ago. Let's hope it hasn't done any permanent damage.

[Yannis]

Flavio what i know is that finasteride can cause ED in a few cases,but a friend of mine who is dermatologist has told me that once you stop taking it things go back to normal,implying that this side effect of finasteride is definitely reversed when you stop taking it,i hope he is right!

[Ciabuy]

I take arginine daily. I am not sure it helps with my ED but I do have more energy during the day