Could Testosterone Replacement Therapy be right for you?

It is safe to say that both topical finasteride and oral finasteride are extremely safe medication and does not interact with any other medications to affect the body negatively. Finasteride has been used from 1992, with many long term studies where side effects were extensively researched. The beneficial effect of finasteride in stopping  hair loss  from male pattern baldness was an accidental discovery since finasteride was first used to treat benign prostate enlargement. Literally a hair raising experience when this good side effect of finasteride was seen in patients treated for benign prostate enlargement. 😉 Topic a l Finasteride or oral finasteride both are safe to take, and both do not affect liver, kidneys or the heart. No internal organs will be affected by using topical or oral finasteride. The amount of topical finasteride which is always mixed with Minoxidil is even less than oral finasteride. It is .1 Mg. Minoxidil or Rogaine(brand name) is extremely beneficial t...

Finasteride restores Male Pattern Baldness hair loss by boosting the growth phase of the hair cycle called the anagen phase. Many studies demonstrate the efficacy of finasteride to regrow hair lost from Male Pattern Baldness (MPB). In one such study: Treatment with finasteride 1 mg day−1 for 48 weeks increased both total and anagen hair counts, and improved the anagen to telogen ratio. “Conclusions These data provide direc t  evidence that finasteride 1 mg daily promotes the conversion of hairs into the anagen phase. These data support that finasteride treatment results in favorable effects on hair quality that contribute to the visible improvements in hair growth observed in treated patients.” ​ So What are the Anagen & Telogen Phases? The growth of scalp hair is a cyclical process of successive phases of growth (anagen) and rest (telogen). The growth rate varies individually and other factors — genetics, age, environmental, level of abuse using chemicals etc play a part. Hair...

  Testosterone therapy helps replace deficits which is essential for the well being of a male, especially as they get older and testosterone synthesis starts tapering down. Testosterone therapy effectively counters hypogonadism or low — T. Finasteride & Minoxidil for Patients on TRT Long term external replacement of testosterone might lead to an excess production of DHT(Dihydrotestosterone) which shrinks hair follicles eventually leading to hair loss. A genetic disposition to MPB(Male Pattern Balding) is the leading cause for a thinning crown and a receding hairline. But being proactive and starting early treatment will help reverse this condition. Finasteride ,  a 5AR blocker blocks the enzyme called Type -II Alpha Reductase that synthesizes DHT from testosterone. More 5AR enzyme, more DHT, leading to MPB hair loss. Minoxidil, which is a scalp treatment, helps increase blood flow to the hair follicles. Together  finasteride and Minoxidil  help regrowth of hair, ...

  So A and B both got diagnosed with male pattern balding. It starts thinning hair from the crown area and a receding hairline, and is probably inherited. Both get a prescription for Finasteride pills and Minoxidil topical application. ​ Finasteride & Minoxidil A got his Finasteride & Minoxidil prescription filled with generic meds at a reputed, online men’s clinic with a compounding pharmacy spending X dollars. ​ B went to a huge retail chain and got his prescription filled for Y Canadian dollars for branded Finasteride & Minoxidil. ​ Any guesses wh o  saved the most money, and didn’t have to lose hair on the cost of pattern  male pattern balding medication prescriptions in Canada ?​ Yup, you guessed right. A saved a ton of money that he paid 10% down payment for a Condo in Bridal Path, Ontario. Just kidding. But A is certainly living happily ever after with his Finasteride pills and Minoxidil topical application purchase, cheapest in Canada, getting the same...

External testosterone from TRT after a while, might increase estrogen levels from aromatization which needs to be countered. Too much estrogen can lead to side effects such as gynecomastia or male breasts, high water retention among other side effects. ​ Men are from Mars and women might be from Venus, but hey, we all share the same hormones, but in different proportions. Estrogen (E) is also crucial for men’s health as much as women’s though. Maintaining hormonal balance of different hormones as nature intended while optimizing deficits should be the goal of TRT for men. ​ One  o f the reasons TRT patients are monitored diligently at ON MEN via blood work and quarterly check ups is also to monitor estrogen levels. Means not eliminating estrogen from the body, but making sure the proper proportions of hormones are maintained for optimum health. ​ Testosterone is the most significant hormone for male sexual development and function. Naturally in males, testosterone levels decline wi...

Witches cauldrons’ brewing potions, ghouls & goblins haunting sidewalks, bewitching parties galore in the twilight zone…we thought it is time to scare the hell out of testosterone self-diagnosing, and dosing, DIY wizards keeping with the spirit. If we had to put a piece of candy in a bowl for every testosterone self medication misadventure that comes our way, the bowl would have to be replaced by a barrel now. Here is a typical horror story shared verbatim we see at ON MEN: “I have been using   anabolic steroids for several years now and have been experiencing severe side effects lately. I am looking to get a blood test requisition for a few parameters I am looking to get tested for. I am concerned for my health and am looking to minimize the harm I am putting on my body. Is the requisition something you could offer?” This theme is consistent across age groups. Younger men report steroid or testosterone use for gains at the gym. But eventually their natural testosterone product...

The question really should be to what extent testosterone replacement alleviates depression, and the factors that influence the positive outcomes. But let’s not scare you with long headings. ​ With the backdrop of a sweeping epidemic, debilitating lock downs, social distancing norms it is no surprise world mental health day is trending. Even return gift bags given with thoughtful notes being penned about understanding & empathy, coaxing to reach out if feeling down and depressed. ​ Low-T being the cause of   mood issues, a certain lack of overall well being is well understood, as is the ability of testosterone to boost mood and bestow that spring in the step, feel good, win the world feeling. ​ So testosterone eminently qualifies as a therapy option. Although it can be nuanced and it might not be for everyone, but for a certain subset of people testosterone replacement is simply tailor-made to a T to deal with depressive symptoms. ​ It has long been debated among medical profes...