Thanks for tuning in to the Armor Men’s Health Hour Podcast today, where we bring you the latest and greatest in urology care and the best urology humor out there.
In this segment, Dr. Mistry and Donna Lee answer a listener's question: "I had prostate surgery about a year ago. My libido is poor. Would it be dangerous to start testosterone now?" To answer this question, Dr. Mistry first clarifies the association between testosterone levels and prostate cancer. Despite previous misconceptions, there is now ample evidence to suggest that a normal testosterone level and feeling normal in your overall health is protective against cancer recurrence, better predicts whether you're going to get through treatment, and does not alter your prostate cancer risk whatsoever. The worst kind of metastatic prostate cancer is "androgen independent," and it gets that way by being wholly deprived of testosterone. The safer and more balanced way to treat metastatic prostate cancer is through a process called "intermittent androgen deprivation." This process takes away the patient's testosterone, but doesn't keep it away--the testosterone is given back, then taken away, then given back, etc., in order to reduce the overall amount of testosterone without completely depriving the patient of the low-levels of testosterone that protect against developing androgen independent prostate cancer. Because prostate cancer is not typically fatal, it is also important to maintain quality of life and sexual function, which is best achieved through the presence of testosterone in the body. The complete absence of testosterone tends to make patients feel unwell and can greatly reduce the quality of his life and/or sexual function. The other aspect of this question is the correct definition of "libido." Men sometimes use "libido" to describe their sex drive, but it is also frequently used to indicate an inability to achieve or maintain an erection. When evaluating the impact of testosterone levels on one's libido, it is important to understand the difference between the desire to have sex (libido) vs. the ability to get an erection. If you or a loved one would like more information about prostate cancer, testosterone therapy, or low libido, please give us a call.
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Dr. Mistry is a board-certified urologist and has been treating patients in the Austin and Greater Williamson County area since he started his private practice in 2007.
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