I asked Dr. Abraham Morgentaler, Director of Men’s Health Boston, and Associate Clinical Professor of Urology, Harvard Medical School to read the manuscript for my book, Finally Out: Letting Go of Living Straight, A Psychiatrist’s Own Story. Dr. Abraham Morgentaler is the author of Testosterone for Life: Recharge Your Vitality, Sex Drive, Muscle Mass and Overall Health.

Here’s what Dr. Morgentaler had to say about my book: “Finally Out: provides insight into a hidden population of men who have sex with other men but who may not identify themselves as gay. It is a fascinating account that broadens our understanding of human sexuality. A must-read.”

In reading through the manuscript, Dr. Morgenthaler updated some of the information in the book which I would like to pass on to you.

Concerning Viagra: One of the frequently mentioned precautions in the use of Viagra and other medications used for erectile dysfunction is priapism (a continuous and painful erection that may last several hours). Dr Morgenthaler said the frequency of priapism is “vanishingly low.” In other words, it is much talked about but unlikely to occur.

Concerning Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT):

The possibility that TRT might be an anti-aging tonic appeals particularly to older men, whose sexual functioning sags along with their muscles and energy. Testosterone is critical, not only for how the brain responds to sexual thoughts and stimulation, but also for the proper function of the penis, by affecting its ability to get hard, to release the necessary chemical signals and to maintain the proper types of cells that are essential for good erectile function.

Symptoms of testosterone deficiency can occur with normal levels of testosterone, and in some cases, the symptoms may not occur even when testosterone levels are low.

Symptoms of testosterone deficiency
• Decreased sexual function
• Lower vitality
• Loss of muscle mass and strength
• Increased fat mass
• Mood changes and depression

According to Dr. Morgentaler, memory loss is often cited as a symptom of testosterone deficiency, but the evidence supporting this to be a testosterone-related event, and thus reversible with treatment, is weak.

TRT can be administered in several different ways. One of the most effective and convenient forms of treatment is injection of a long-acting testosterone pellets under the skin of the buttocks. This treatment produces good levels of testosterone for 3-5 months.

TRT by injection is given about every two weeks. Injections are inconvenient and therapeutic levels and symptom relief may fluctuate between the injections. Patches are applied nightly. The gel in rubbed onto the skin of the abdomen, chest, arms and shoulders. The gel is less irritating than the patches but it is possible to transfer the TRT agent to a sexual partner, or even a pet, through skin-skin contact. The buccal treatment is a pill that is applied to the upper gums.

Potential Benefits of TRT:
Improved muscle mass and strength
Increased bone density
Thickened body hair and increased oiliness of skin
Improved sexual drive
Increased energy
Reduced depression and irritability

Potential Risks
Possibility of stimulation of prostatic cancer.*
Non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate and difficulty with urination
Testicular shrinkage and reduced sperm production
Breast enlargement
Stimulation of breast cancer if present
Aggravation of sleep apnea
Potential heart problems
Acne

I have made other posts on MagneticFire.com about testosterone and TRT. By putting “testosterone” in the search above on the right, those other articles will become available.