New drugs treat low testosterone with fewer side effects
In fertility treatment, what's good for the goose is obviously good for the gander. A new study suggests that a drug similar to one used to help women ovulate can boost testosterone levels and sperm counts in men.
In fertility treatment, what's good for the goose is obviously good for the gander. A new study suggests that a drug similar to one used to help women ovulate can boost testosterone levels and sperm counts in men.
The drug, known as Androxal, may be more effective than testosterone gels and injections in treating men with low testosterone levels currently prescribed. That's because the drug helps the body produce its own testosterone, and it may be cheaper and more convenient to use.
The new study, a Phase II clinical trial, will be published in an upcoming issue of the journal Fertility and Sterility. Phase II clinical trials are the second of four phases used to test the safety and effectiveness of drugs before they are submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, low testosterone or hypogonadism affects millions of American men. Symptoms of this condition include fatigue, decreased muscle mass, increased body fat, depression, erectile dysfunction, and low libido. Testosterone levels in men naturally decline around age 30, but lower than normal levels have also been linked to obesity, diabetes and circulatory disease.
The definition of normal testosterone levels is highly controversial because it varies widely between individuals. In general, however, doctors mainly treat men with low testosterone levels with testosterone injections and gels. These treatments are expensive, and as soon as they are stopped, testosterone levels plummet. [5 myths about the male body]
"This is a complex issue that requires expert consultation before starting treatment," said Dr. Lawrence Ross, a urologist and professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago, who was not involved in the new study.
In fertility treatment, what's good for the goose is obviously good for the gander. A new study suggests that a drug similar to one used to help women ovulate can boost testosterone levels and sperm counts in men.
In fertility treatment, what's good for the goose is obviously good for the gander. A new study suggests that a drug similar to one used to help women ovulate can boost testosterone levels and sperm counts in men.
The drug, known as Androxal, may be more effective than testosterone gels and injections in treating men with low testosterone levels currently prescribed. That's because the drug helps the body produce its own testosterone, and it may be cheaper and more convenient to use.
The new study, a Phase II clinical trial, will be published in an upcoming issue of the journal Fertility and Sterility. Phase II clinical trials are the second of four phases used to test the safety and effectiveness of drugs before they are submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, low testosterone or hypogonadism affects millions of American men. Symptoms of this condition include fatigue, decreased muscle mass, increased body fat, depression, erectile dysfunction, and low libido. Testosterone levels in men naturally decline around age 30, but lower than normal levels have also been linked to obesity, diabetes and circulatory disease.
The definition of normal testosterone levels is highly controversial because it varies widely between individuals. In general, however, doctors mainly treat men with low testosterone levels with testosterone injections and gels. These treatments are expensive, and as soon as they are stopped, testosterone levels plummet. [5 myths about the male body]
"This is a complex issue that requires expert consultation before starting treatment," said Dr. Lawrence Ross, a urologist and professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago, who was not involved in the new study.