Testosterone, Viagra not a winning erectile dysfunction combination

November 21, 2012

Reuters

NEW YORK Using a testosterone gel in addition to Viagra doesnt make the little blue pill work any better, according to a new study.

The reports lead researcher said testosterone is typically prescribed to men who have both low testosterone levels and symptoms such as little interest in sex or low bone and muscle mass.

But, theres a tremendous amount of clinical judgment that goes into that, said Dr. Matthew Spitzer, from the Boston University School of Medicine. People are certainly being prescribed and using these medications at increasing amounts.

According to Spitzer, studies have suggested that about one-quarter to one-third of men with erectile dysfunction, or ED, also have low testosterone. Theres a range in part because doctors and researchers dont all agree on where the cut-off should be for low levels of the male sex hormone.

Spitzer and his colleagues found that a starting course of sildenafil citrate, marketed as Viagra, helped improve sexual functioning for men with both conditions. But adding testosterone on top of that didnt provide any added sexual benefits.

The study included 140 men, aged 40 to 70. All were prescribed Viagra at 50 or 100 milligrams, which they took as needed before sex. After three to seven weeks, half of the men were randomly assigned to also use a daily testosterone gel, Testim, and the other half used a drug-free placebo gel.

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Testosterone, Viagra not a winning erectile dysfunction combination

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