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Low testosterone levels in men are associated with more severe COVID-19 symptoms, according to a new study from researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, offering a clue about why men seem to fare worse than women with the virus. While men account for less than half of all COVID-19 cases in the US (47.8 percent) according to the CDC, they make up 54.2 percent of COVID-19 deaths……..Continue reading….
By: Hannah Seo
Source: Popular Science
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Critics:
Testosterone is used primarily to treat symptoms of sexual dysfunction in men and women and hot flashes in women. Potential benefits include improved libido, increased bone mass, and increased sense of well-being. Once you’ve had your diagnosis, your doctor might suggest you start testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). TRT is available on the NHS for certain conditions, including low testosterone, or during gender reassignment. Testosterone is available in different forms, like: Gels you rub onto the skin daily.
Testosterone therapy has various risks, including: Worsening sleep apnea — a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. Causing acne or other skin reactions. Stimulating noncancerous growth of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and growth of existing prostate cancer. Your body will begin to redistribute your weight. Fat will diminish somewhat around your hips and thighs.
Your arms and legs will develop more muscle definition, with more prominent veins and a slightly rougher appearance, as the fat just beneath the skin becomes a bit thinner. What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication? Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible: Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Blood clot—pain, swelling, or warmth in the leg, shortness of breath, chest pain.
TRT through the NHS typically begins with a visit to your General Practitioner (GP). During this consultation, you’ll discuss your symptoms, prompting your GP to determine whether a blood test to assess testosterone levels is needed. Testosterone levels naturally decline as you age. While testosterone therapy can be an option, it has disadvantages as well. Some older people on testosterone therapy could face increased cardiac risks. You may be interested in natural testosterone boosters instead.
Is testosterone a steroid? Technically yes, but not in the way most people mean. Testosterone is not an illegal steroid and will not cause “roid rage” or the development of breast tissue like illegal steroids will. Testosterone is a naturally occurring steroid hormone produced in the body. Many men report improvement in energy, sex drive, and quality of erections. Testosterone also increases bone density, muscle mass, and insulin sensitivity in some men. Men also often report an improvement in mood from TRT.
Whether these effects are barely noticeable or a major boost depends on the person. Testosterone is a sex hormone that plays important roles in the body. In men, it’s thought to regulate sex drive (libido), bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass and strength, and the production of red blood cells and sperm. Your doctor or sexual health clinic can perform a testosterone test. Alternatively, you can order testosterone testing online.
An at-home testosterone test is a finger prick test which you can use yourself. You post the blood test sample to a laboratory, which will analyze the blood to give a test result. Erotic massage, sex games, intimate touch, manual stimulation, all these options can be very satisfying if we let go of our cultural beliefs of what sex must be. The only way to know your testosterone level is with a blood test. You may talk to your healthcare provider about a testosterone level test if you have symptoms of low testosterone.
Not everyone with low testosterone has symptoms (like low sex drive, fertility problems or erectile dysfunction). Testosterone boosters are over-the-counter supplements that claim to raise levels of the hormone in the body and reduce symptoms of low testosterone. However, there is not enough evidence that they are effective. Animal and preliminary human studies suggest that testosterone may facilitate erection by acting as vasodilator of the penile arterioles and cavernous sinusoids.
Following castration, most, but not all, men had partial or complete loss of erection. Some men develop depression, loss of sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and other physical and emotional symptoms when they reach their late 40s to early 50s. Other symptoms common in men this age are: mood swings and irritability. To receive hormone therapy on the NHS, you will need to be referred to a gender specialist or a gender clinic by your GP.
If you are under 16, you will need to be referred to a specialist young person’s clinic such as The Tavistock and Portman, who may then offer you hormone blockers. Bananas contain an enzyme called bromelain which is known to help boost testosterone levels. Bananas are also excellent for maintaining energy levels and reducing antioxidants so make the perfect on the go snack! Several studies were conducted on this topic, and many found similar positive conclusions
Caffeine consumption (up to 800mg) was linked with higher testosterone levels of up to 14% if taken before a workout; however, cortisol levels increased as well, with one study citing a 21.3% increase and another at 44%. Treating normal aging with testosterone therapy is not advisable. If you don’t have a medical condition that’s contributing to your decline in testosterone levels, your doctor might suggest natural ways to boost testosterone, such as losing weight and increasing muscle mass through resistance exercise.
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