Author: Dr. Hashmi
According to a recent study, long-acting opioids are nearly five times more likely to suppress testosterone levels than short-acting opioids. Over the last few years, we’ve seen a surge in data that couples opioid use with lowered male testosterone levels. We know the use of opioids can lead to hypogonadism, a condition of lowered sex hormone production. In males, lowered testosterone levels can lead to fatigue, depression, and even osteoporosis and obesity. Some studies suggest this hypogonadism is also associated with lowered pain tolerance. In previous studies, opioid users were lumped together, but this recent study compared the testosterone levels…
I have been a proponent of testosterone replacement therapy in men with documented low levels of testosterone. Men with low testosterone present with lethargy, malaise, decrease in libido, erectile dysfunction, falling asleep after meals and loss of muscle mass. The diagnosis is easily made with a blood test, the serum testosterone level, and is easily treated with injections of testosterone or the application of testosterone gels to the skin. The medical textbooks in the 1990’s state that the treatment is contraindicated in men with difficulty with urination, untreated obstructive sleep apnea, high blood counts, and in men with prostate cancer.…
He: “Are you in the mood?” She: “Naw, I’ve got a headache!” If you are a female and you experience these feelings about loss of desire for sexual intimacy, you may have hypoactive sexual desire (HSD). In other words, you’re rarely in the mood; you neither initiate sex nor seek stimulation. Hypoactive sexual desire is the most common form of female sexual dissatisfaction and occurs when there is a persistent lack of desire or absence of sexual fantasies. Lack of desire often occurs as a result of problems with your partner. Communications problems, anger, a lack of trust, a lack…
Today depression can be successfully treated with medication. Unfortunately, sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of nearly all classes of anti-depressant medications. The side effects include decreased libido, inability to orgasm, decreased sensation in the genitals, vaginal dryness (in women), and erectile dysfunction (in men). There are other causes of loss of libido, which includes hormone deficiency in both men and women and can easily be diagnosed with a blood test for testosterone and if the level is diminished, replacement therapy can easily be accomplished with injections and gels in men and with medication and gels in women. If…
For men, Libido is your sex drive and it is different from ability to get an erection or be able to achieve a successful pregnancy. Women’s libido is also different from orgasm or her ability to have an egg unite with a man’s sperm. In women, gynecologic conditions may make engaging in sexual intimacy difficult or painful and ultimately impact her libido. Libido is the name Freud gave to our sex drive. Libido is a multifactorial situation which is influenced by hormones, psychological and physical factors, romance, and the opportunity for fulfillment. It is normal for libido to decline with…
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur: Less common Arm, back, or jaw pain blindness blurred vision chest pain or discomfort chest tightness or heaviness chills cold sweats confusion decreased vision difficult or labored breathing difficulty with swallowing dizziness dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position eye pain fainting fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse headache…
Do not take vardenafil with similar medications such as sildenafil (Viagra) or tadalafil (Cialis). Before taking vardenafil, tell your doctor about all other medications you use for erectile dysfunction, or if you are using any of the following medications: conivaptan (Vaprisol); imatinib (Gleevec); isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis); an antidepressant such as nefazodone; an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), or telithromycin (Ketek); antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Oravig), or voriconazole (Vfend); drugs to treat high blood pressure or a prostate disorder, such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress),…
Do not take vardenafil if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems. This includes nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, and others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite (“poppers”). Taking vardenafil with a nitrate medicine can cause a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure. To make sure you can safely take vardenafil, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions: heart disease, heart rhythm problems; a recent history (in the past 6…
Do not take vardenafil if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems (such as nitroglycerin). Taking vardenafil with a nitrate medicine can cause a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure. During sexual activity, if you become dizzy or nauseated, or have pain, numbness, or tingling in your chest, arms, neck, or jaw, stop and call your doctor right away. You could be having a serious side effect of vardenafil. Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if your erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours. A prolonged erection (priapism) can…
The most common side effects with STAXYN are headache, flushing, stuffy or runny nose, indigestion, upset stomach, dizziness, or back pain. These side effects usually go away after a few hours. Call your doctor if you get a side effect that bothers you or one that will not go away. Side effects ≥2% and more frequent with STAXYN than placebo in controlled trials n = number of patients STAXYN may uncommonly cause: An erection that won’t go away (priapism). If you get an erection that lasts more than 4 hours, get medical help right away. Priapism must be treated as…