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Is it erectile dysfunction (ED)?

Men's Health | Last Active: May 13 10:59am | Replies (42)

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@laughlin1947

Well, I've been to 3 urologists by now, and still no progress. The first 2 were highly regarded with great credentials, and they didn't even examine me. After 5 minutes in the office, I was done with each appointment and told to go get an implant. The 3rd urologist is a woman who specializes in implants. I've been taking topical Androgel 1.62 (one gel pulse per shoulder per day) for 2 months now, and although it has raised my total testosterone to a high level near the top of the range, I feel no increase in libido, no matter how small of a touch of it. I am now seeing an endocrinologist because I still think the is still something hormonal that is off with me, like lack of free testosterone or high estrogen levels in my body (I do have a high out of range level of estradiol). My free testosterone levels are well below the lower end of the range, have been that way for a very long time. I've read where that may or not be a factor with libido. So, maybe there will be trials with antiestrogen meds, although I'd like supplements testosterone, either tablets or injections to see if they could increase my zero libido. I met with a physician assistant (PA-C) endocrinologist who spent a lot of useful time with me. He siad I shold consider getting the book written by Dr. Aaron Spitz, titled "The Penis Book". So, I have at least one blood test for hormones to come, then I will see the doctor above the PA-C and see what else could be tried.

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Replies to "Well, I've been to 3 urologists by now, and still no progress. The first 2 were..."

When I asked a bout what they planned to do about my libido before the implant surgery ... their answer was nothing .. too many different things at my age to go wrong .. was disappointing their attitude to say the least.

@laughlin1947 - As I said earlier, tracking down the root cause (might be causes) of ED can be frustrating and time consuming. It took me multiple internists and urologists to get to a urologist who specializes in ED and was associated with a top-notch facility - Mayo in my case.

Like many in our age cohort (I'm early 70's) testosterone production has slowly petered (pun intended) out. I was uncomfortable with HRT due to possible dire side effects. Instead, I reacted to my T levels being consistently 200 or even less, by starting a periodic regimen of inserted (inserted in my hip) bio-identical hormone pellets that time-release over a six month period or so. When my T levels are normal - I feel better, have more energy, and my libido is happily active.

Do you have a strategy to keep working towards an answer that works for you? Don't give up!