FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
LOW TESTOSTERONE
How do you diagnose low Testosterone in men?
Low Testosterone can be diagnosed if you have 3 or more of the following symptoms:
• lack of libido
• fatigue
• insomnia
• erectile dysfunction (ED)
• depression
• loss of muscle mass
• loss of stamina
• hot flashes
• osteoporosis
• migraines
• decrease in mental acuity
• loss of motivation
• osteoporosis
• loss of balance
• irritability
Along with the symptoms, we look for a low total testosterone blood level.
What Symptoms Does Testosterone Therapy Treat?
When men age, testosterone production normally declines which causes them to lose their ability to have sex without ED medications, experience aging of their body, losing muscle and gaining belly fat, developing diseases of aging including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, joint damage and autoimmune diseases. Testosterone keeps us young and healthy when we are under 40, and as it declines we must replace it if we want to stay healthy.
How is Testosterone Therapy administered?
The three most common therapies are injections, pellets and topical creams. Testosterone injections and pellets are considered the most effective forms of treatment.
What are Pellets and Where are the Pellets inserted in men?
Testosterone Pellets are small rice-sized pellets just under the skin of your hip twice a year, the pellets release testosterone as you need it directly into your bloodstream. Pellets replace the need for weekly injections or daily creams and are highly effective.
Normally, patients start seeing the full effect of pellets in about 3-5 weeks. Pellets must be re-inserted every six months to prevent symptoms from reoccurring.
Should a man who has had prostate cancer take bioidentical testosterone pellets?
Once prostate cancer has been diagnosed, the cancer cells in the prostate are completely different from the benign prostate cells that were there before, so it is recommended that men refrain from replacing testosterone if there is prostate cancer present. However, if a man has had prostate cancer that is completely removed surgically and has negative nodes (does not have any more prostate cancer cells) it is then a choice to be made by the patient and his doctor. If cancer is metastasized, we don’t advise replacement of testosterone, in any form.
Will my testicles shrink while I take the testosterone pellets?
Yes, they will to some extent. Testicles shrink normally with age, as they provide less and less testosterone. As supplementation takes over the supply of testosterone, testicles are not producing as much as usual, so they get smaller. This is not a permanent change. HCG is an additional medication that is often used to prevent or reverse decrease in testicular size.
How long will it take for my body to get back to my lean normal self?
That depends on your weight at the beginning of treatment as well as how much you exercise, your diet, and how often you workout with weights. Without testosterone replacement this transformation would not be possible even with the perfect diet and exercise.
ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
Is Erectile Dysfunction Common?
It is extremely common, afflicting an estimated 35 million men in the U.S and over 3 million men in Canada. About half of all men aged 40 to 70 have erectile dysfunction.
Is Erectile Dysfunction preventable?
In some instances, it is preventable. The following have been shown to decrease the occurrence of ED:
• Reducing stress
• Healthy diet and lifestyle
• Stopping cigarette smoking and alcohol intake
• Controlling your medical problems, such as diabetes and hypertension
Do you offer Viagra, Cialis or Levitra? Which one is best?
The medical providers at Atlas Men’s Health Institute can prescribe any of these medications when appropriate.
Our medical providers are very experienced and can tell you in advance if these medications are safe for you to take and which brand might be most suitable for your individual case. Once prescribed, you should try a medication several times on different occasions before determining if it is working well or not. If you do not have success, you should consult with the medical provider again. At Atlas Men’s Health patients go through a detailed medical examination and the medical provider will help you determine which treatment option is best for you.
Can I be on more than one treatment at any given time?
Yes, it is possible to be on more than one treatment at any given time.
Also, it is possible for a patient to use our medication therapy in conjunction with other oral medication as long as they ARE NOT used at the same time. It is important to follow the medical provider’s directions.