WEDNESDAY, May 5, 2004 (HealthDayNews) -- Men suffering from low testosterone levels can receive safe and effective treatment by using a testosterone gel.
That's the claim of a new study in the May issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Doctors found long-term, continuous use of AndroGel testosterone gel caused rapid and sustained improvements in sexual function and mood among men with hypogonadism, or low testosterone.
The study found decreases in fat mass and increases in lean body mass following use of the gel. Gradual and progressive increases in bone mineral density in the spine and hip also occurred.
"This AndroGel study is the first to show long-term benefits and safety with testosterone gel," lead researcher Dr. Ronald Swerdloff, of the Harbor-UCLA General Clinical Research Center, said in a prepared statement. "That's great news for men suffering from low testosterone."
The doctors followed 163 hypogonadal men as they received continuous treatment for up to 42 months.
An estimated 4 million to 5 million American men have low testosterone. It affects about one in 10 men between the ages of 40 and 60, and two in 10 men older than 60.
More information
The Pituitary Network Association has more about hypogonadism.
