Testosterone Patch - Woman's Viagra
Decreasing libido is a common complaint among many women, especially those who are in the menopausal phase. Women who are on HRT during their menopausal and post-menopausal phase may not face this problem. Testosterone is a male sex hormone, though women produce small quantities of it too. It is crucial in maintaining their sex drive. HSDD (Hypoactive sexual desire disorder) is noticed in women, due to a variety of reasons. Menopause, surgical removal of ovaries, marital problems or other causes can result in low sex drive. Antidepressants are also known to reduce sexual desire. Reduced testosterone levels are a common reason.
The testosterone patch has shown a significant increase in sex drive among the women who participated in a study. There was considerable improvement in various areas of sexual functions such as arousal, responsiveness and orgasm. The women reported increased sexual activity and improved overall psychological well-being on usage of the testosterone patch. But the testosterone patch works on women who have lowered levels of testosterone which can be determined by blood tests. Decreased sex drive on account of other issues may need other forms of treatment.
Side Effects of testosterone patch:
Testosterone patch side effects range from increased body hair and irritation on the patch site to upper respiratory infection.
Dosage of Testosterone patch:
The thin transparent testosterone patch is worn on the stomach for two weeks at a time. Intrinsa - the testosterone patch that is being tested and developed is considered to be a wonder treatment for women who have suffered from lowered sex drive on account of lower testosterone levels. A slow-release testosterone patch is also on the anvil.
Andropause
Andropause in men is similar to the menopause in women. Andropause is also referred to as male menopause. It is characterized by reduced production of testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone. Symptoms experienced by middle-aged men during andropause are - fatigue, memory loss, erectile dysfunction, prostate problems, osteoporosis, weight around the belly and lowered sex drive.
The decreased concentration of the testosterone levels does not follow a gradual time span and hence there is no affirmative evidence of the abrupt drop in the testosterone levels. Some studies describe the drop in testosterone levels by symptoms such as decreased sexual activity, increase in body fat, decrease in the muscularity and also cognitive impairment. However the decrease in testosterone levels may also result in lesser bone mass, lack of energy, lethargy, mood swings and irritability. The decreased bone mass due to the andropause may also result in hip fractures in older men.
Symptoms of Andropause
Decreased libido
Prolonged refractory period
Feeble erections
Lethargy
Irritability
Hot flashes
Lack of enthusiasm
Decrease in muscle strength, mass and endurance
Hair loss
Decreased bone mass
The physiological factors that lead to andropause are poor hypothalamic activity, hormonal deficiencies, hypertension and obesity.
Testosterone levels vary from person to person. An average value of serum testosterone levels are taken to facilitate the treatment. The average value of testosterone is greater than 200ng/dl. Any value less than the average are considered as low serum testosterone level. Analog free testosterone method is used for the diagnosis. In order to obtain accurate values of serum testosterone levels, the diagnostic blood tests should be done before 10 am in the morning.
Testosterone replacement therapy
It is employed for andropause which is proven to be the most effective treatment. The objective of this treatment methodology is to improve the libido, erectile function, muscle and bone mass restoration and also improving mental health of the individual. The apparent methods include oral sustained release medications, injections and also through transdermal patches. The advantages of testosterone replacement therapy is that it is gradual, effective and also increases the testosterone levels in a significant manner such high during the morning and gradual decrease during the course of the day.
Disadvantages of testosterone replacement therapy include conditions such as hypertension, pedal edema, liver toxicity, sleep apnea, breast enlargement in older men etc. In addition to these negative effects, inducing testosterone in to the body from external source may hinder the natural spermatogenesis process of the testes.
Finasteride - For Prostate Problems and Male Pattern Baldness
Finasteride belongs to the class of enzyme inhibitors. Finasteride blocks 5-alpha-reductase, which is critical in changing testosterone into another hormone that causes prostate enlargement. BPH (Benign prostatic hypertrophy) occurs in men over 55 years. Finasteride has been used in the treatment of urinary problems resulting from an enlarged prostate. Finasteride is effective in reducing the severity of the symptoms. But the prostate tends to grow again if the drug is discontinued.
Finasteride is also used in stimulating hair growth in the case of male pattern balding. Read up on Hair Restoration in the TargetWoman Collection of articles. Male pattern baldness or Androgenetic Alopecia is caused by increased levels of DHT (DiHydro Testosterone). Propecia (brand name for Finasteride) blocks the formation of DHT thereby maintaining or increasing the hair growth.
Side Effects of finasteride: The side effects of Finasteride that are noticed range from skin rashes and swelling of lips to breast enlargement. Rarely do persons on Finasteride experience abdominal or back pain, dizziness, headache or impotence. Men on Finasteride faced lesser desire for sex and reduced semen. This drug is never recommended for women. Women who are pregnant or of childbearing age must not handle crushed tablets of Finasteride as it can cause birth defects in a male fetus. Finasteride falls in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that it is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Since Finasteride is mainly metabolized by the liver, patients with liver dysfunction must inform their physicians about it. Patients who are taking amphetamines, antihistamines, antidepressants, decongestants or ephedrine must consult the doctor before embarking on a course of Finasteride.
Dosage of finasteride: Propecia is also known as 1 mg. finasteride - it is a potent inhibitor of human 5 alpha-reductase without affecting the circulating effects of Testosterone. Proscar is yet another brand name for Finasteride. Finasteride tablest are usually taken once a day. It is not advisable to take more than the prescribed dosage. The drug must be stored away from light in a tightly- closed container. For BPH patients, a 5 mg dose of Proscar daily is prescribed by physicians. Taking additional doses will not make it work faster or better. 1 mg dose of Finasteride is prescribed for those suffering from male pattern baldness. Find out more about hair loss, its causes and patterns in Hair Loss in the TargetWoman Collection of articles.
Bibliography / Reference
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