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Testosterone Gel
More than 4 million men take testosterone regularly to raise their low blood levels of the hormone. Testosterone increases desire and potency, muscular strength and assertiveness. The gel form of testosterone offers an advantage over skin patches and injections because it gives more even blood levels. Pills should not be used because taking testosterone by mouth lowers blood levels of the good HDL cholesterol and increases risk of heart attacks. Studies from Chicago Medical School have shown that men 60 to 75 years of age who take very low doses of testosterone (25 to 50 mg) weekly for two years have lower blood cholesterol levels, less body fat and greater muscle strength. Their prostates did not enlarge and their PSA blood test did not rise. More research is needed, but older men who take testosterone should use gels, injections or patches, rather than pills, and have their prostates checked by physical exam, sonogram and a blood test called free PSA.
Many men with normal levels will also want to use testosterone gel. Strong data shows that it can help athletes with normal levels of testosterone recover faster from workouts and become much stronger, and make normal men more aggressive. High blood levels of testosterone increase sexual desire in both men and women. High doses of testosterone can damage your liver, and while moderate doses will not cause prostate cancer, they can spread a cancer that is already there.
We don't know yet whether it is safe for men with normal levels of testosterone to use the gels.
More on testosterone replacement
Checked 5/19/10