"I am 58 years old. I have diabetes and have had a loss of body hair on my groin and legs. I lack energy most days and have gained 70 pounds. I’ve not had morning erections in 3 or 4 years. I can still achieve an erection, (although not as stiff or full), with porn and manual stimulation. Since I can do this I ignored ED as a possible problem. Wanting to have more energy, and maybe help lose weight I sought the advice of a doctor at a specialty clinic for men and thought that perhaps testosterone and Gains Wave therapy would help.
The doctor found that my testosterone was low normal, 324, (normal is 300 to 800). He prescribed a natural testosterone cream, not synthetic, and Cialis. Meanwhile he did a PSA test and I was above normal at 4.8, (normal is 1-4). High testosterone levels, as I understand it can later lead to the PSA going up to and 8 or 9 and the possible diagnosis of prostate cancer.
I love the Cialis and have had the return of morning erections. Some so stiff, I had to knock out a masturbation session before getting up for the day. Is there any danger in taking the Cialis and increasing PSA levels?
Knowing that increased testosterone can lead to increased PSA, I have suspended the cream, pending research. Seems kind of confusing with some people saying to stop the natural testosterone and others to continue, because the PSA rise is relatively small. What do you know about this topic? LOVE the Blog!"
I am very happy the doctor prescribed a natural T cream. It's what I use. My T levels were below 100 - but, then again, my balls never fully developed. So, there's that.
Anyway, your PSA may be slightly elevated. But an ejaculation, or even a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) prostate exam can cause the levels to increase.
"According to the results of a recent study, testosterone treatment does not increase a man's risk of developing prostate cancer. In fact, new research suggests that this treatment may actually reduce the risk of aggressive prostate cancer."
Though, it is not risk-free. Other side effects can include "breathing disturbances during sleep, breast swelling or tenderness, ankle swelling and acne."
As for the Cialis? According to the Oncology Times: "Researchers said here at the Genitourinary Cancers Symposium [February 2016] that studies have found no association between patients who take phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors such as Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) and an increased risk of prostate cancer recurring."
Did he even give the Gains Wave a try? Cialis is one of the drugs to help increase blood flow to attain and maintain an erection. Being able to achieve that without the drugs would seem to be a better course.
I would totally trust a Cancer Treatment Center and Oncologists' opinion on this score. They treat cancer, your regular docs and urologists only diagnose. The adage, If you live long enough, you will develop prostate cancer, is still most likely true. While I wouldn't worry about the Cialis-Testosterone combination, you might still want to have your doctor keep an eye on the PSA levels with regular blood serum tests and a DRE. If they continue to climb, a biopsy would be in order.
But, bear in mind: No jacking off prior to any blood serum test that will include PSA levels.
8 comments:
Huge thank you for all of the information that you provide, and the links to the outside resources.
As usual, an answer as learned as it is relevant.
Hugs and bisous, my darlings Jean and Pat.
Hmmm... I would start with the weight gain and the low energy level. Here's a simple solution. Exercise. Yep. The excess weight is most likely the cause of your low energy level. You exercise? You get energy. Those endorphins are amazing. I'm not surprised that your doctor immediately prescribed things you had to buy. That's what they seem to be in the business of doing these days... pushing product. I would have started with asking about your exercise routine... and YOUR DIET... which is probably the cause of everything. You're 58. Your metabolism has changed. Did your diet? Did you start to look at portion control? And look at adopting a healthier diet? That's where I would have hoped your doctor would have started. If you can still walk? You can exercise. And that's... my two cents worth.
Whoa.
So much information. I had no idea there were hormone creams and I had no idea that one should not jerk off before a blood test for PSA levels.
The more you live...
XOXO
My Testosterone levels were low (200 ng/dl) and so a specialist prescribed a low dose of Androforte cream (Testosterone supplement). I had concerns about side effects, but he guaranteed that I wouldn't experience testicular shrinkage or breast development: unfortunately I developed both along with hair loss but no positive improvement in energy, libido or mood and so I stopped taking the HRT.
Apparently, Testosterone can be converted into estrogen by the enzyme aromatase and my body was converting most of the extra Testosterone into estrogen which was causing the balls and boobs issues. This may be because I am overweight and being fat seems to increase aromatase. I have a weight issue because I also experience CFS which causes fatigue and constant muscle pain and is difficult to fight against with exercise.
I understand there are drugs to reduce aromatase, but it requires juggling a few drugs to achieve a balance and I just don't trust the specialists any more to achieve that.
In my country, Testosterone supplementation is only prescribed for levels below about 180ng/dl which is really low and so many men that might benefit from HRT are denied it.
If you are not overweight, HRT might be very beneficial to you. If you are overweight, reducing that state might improve your response to HRT without other compensating drugs.
Remember that Testosterone production naturally reduces with age and artificially supplementing it, whilst having some positive effects, can have side effects because our biology is not designed to maintain 21yo vigour into our retirement.
Cialis and other ED medication is really designed to regain sexual function as a result of abnormal impediment, not for 21yo blue steel erections into old age, as much as that may be attractive. We should be cautious about pushing our bodies beyond their design specs, even though we can, however I can appreciate the attraction of regaining youthful vigour as we age.
There doesn't seem to be enough research to determine how much we can improve our latter years without upsetting something else. Even now we are being exhorted to ejaculate often to maintain health, yet this is not so easy with normal aging and might require augmentation. There's also the problem of synthetic estrogens upsetting the normal male biology which perhaps should be ameliorated by reducing those compounds in the environment rather than simply trying to offset them with more Testosterone.
It's also worrying that the needs of women seem to be eclipsing the needs of men as if men are somehow not as worthy of attention.
My testosterone levels were way, way below normal, and I was prescribed testosterone injections every 14 days (self injected). Other than rge initial trepidation of jabbing my thigh with a 1½" needle, it works well - average T levels in middle for my age (66) now. PSA and T levels checked about 2× per year. Before test am told to not ejaculate at all nor stimulate the prostate for 3 days before the blood draw for the test. If one does, the PSA will read high by some 2+ points, possibly causing alarm.
I do not use creams or patches because both caused allergic localized hives & rash.
Nonetheless, I'm not "immune" to age-related ED: boners take quite a while to produce, and last just moments. So I'm gonns try a Cialis Rx...
Viagra and its clones are just nitroglycerin. Common medication for heart attack or stroke. Basically it forces blood vessels open, reducing the risk of an ischemic event. (Maybe we could just make the Suez bigger...) Hey quick, name the most common cause of impotence in middle-aged men.
Where are you guys getting the natural T creams?
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