Older men might benefit from supplemental testosterones, a new study shows. Taking these supplements might lead to a better and more fulfilling sex life as well as a generally happier outlook in life.
A new study on the effects of testosterone supplements was published online on Wednesday in the New England of Medicine, NPR reported. According to the researchers, older men 65-years-old and above can benefit greatly from a boost on their testosterone levels, at least on the first year.
Older men who use supplemental testosterone can experience benefits in their sexual appetite and mood. Those who participated in the study testified that before using these supplements, they noticed that their sexual drive waned drastically as they reached the age of 60. Their mood also took a downturn, affecting their motivation to do anything.
The lead researcher and a famed endocrinologist, Dr. Peter Snyder, said that the sexual function of those who used the supplements improved he most. "Testosterone improved sexual activity, sexual desire and improved erectile function," Snyder detailed.
Those who took the supplements also reported being happier. They just have more energy to live their lives. Snyder however said the study is limited in that it did not checked to see if testosterone supplements are safe. After all, there were past allegations that increasing testosterone levels is associated with increased vulnerability to heart attacks.
The study is also said to be ongoing. More tests will still be carried out to determine if the supplements can also have positive effects on the elderly men's cognitive, bone, and cardiovascular health. It already costs $50 million now.
Another endocrinologist Dr. Eric Orwoll however, said that the findings remain significant despite the study's limitations. "I think we can be confident that there is some benefit for some men," Orwoll says. "This is the first really well-designed and scientifically rigorous trial to get at the question of whether testosterone supplements provide benefit; we didn't have that information before."
