Male Speaker: The word testosterone conjures up images of a machismo male engaging in some type of competitive event, but the role of testosterone in the human body goes well beyond that. Testosterone is a vital hormone in men that plays a tremendous role in their development. When Testosterone levels become too low in men, it can have a devastating effect on their lifestyle and well being.
Dr. Abraham Morgentaler: Testosterone is an amazing chemical. It affects everything from brain function, production of sperm, sexual function, muscle, bone. It's got a lot of actions in the body.
Dr. Ridwan Shabsigh: The other role is what we call metabolic role which is improving the metabolism in the body, building up muscle, building up muscle strength, and building up a bones and also building up bone density as well as reducing body fat mass.
Male Speaker: While it is true that both men and women experience changes in their hormones as they get older, low testosterone in men shouldn't be considered as male menopause.
Dr. Abraham Morgentaler: I'm not a big fan of the term male menopause; guys obviously don't have menstrual cycles and there's nothing sudden that happens to men the same way that menopause happens in women.
Male Speaker: Physical consequences of low testosterone on the body include decrease in muscle size and strength, increase in body fat, particularly abdominal fat, decrease in bone mineral density. The emotional and physical tolls include decrease in sex drive and performance, low energy levels, increase in irritability, depression. 50 year old Robert Rugama felt fine until he started to notice major mood swings.
Robert Rugama: If I was get really upset my heart start to pound really fast. I started to shakeup couple of times I went to the hospital.
Dr. Simmon Wilcox: As individual testosterone becomes lower they can do things that will mimic or depression. They become less energize, less motivated, seem to have a less desire to do life.
Male Speaker: For years Eric Guthrie had been taking prescribed medication to treat chronic back pain.
Eric Guthrie: I knew something was wrong, I figured that it had to be from just the long-term effects of the medication I've been taking.
Male Speaker: If a man is experiencing symptoms of low testosterone it is extremely important for him to seek the help of a physician to find out if treatment is needed.
Dr. Abraham Morgentaler: Guys don't really like talking about anything, let alone something that might be affecting their sexuality. And as an urologist, the number one reason why I see men with low testosterone is because they are coming in either with erection problems what we call ED or they have less interest in sex.
Dr. Ridwan Shabsigh: There are a number of options for testosterone replacement therapy. These include gels, include patches, injections and also the treatment options may include something that the patient can stick inside the mouth, twice a day or a pallet under the skin.
Eric Guthrie: I know this my endurance pickup I notice my drives. I felt like doing whatever I needed to do, whatever I wanted to do and I'm very motivated now. I feel rescued, I don't feel hopeless anymore.
Robert Rugama: I came back to be where I used to be. As a matter of fact my wife joke and say "yeah" the old man is back.
Transcription by:
Scribe4you Transcription Services