Topic
Testosterone and my ED
I’m a 61 year-old white male in good health, non-smoker and non-drinker, who exercises daily. About 5 years ago I began to take Viagra to insure that I was able to please my partner. A yearago, the Viagra (100mm) begin to fail, and I didn’t have the necessary erection to have sexual intercourse. I spoke briefly with my family doctor about this issue, and very competent and even internationally know surgeon, and his brief comment was that I was getting old. However, many friends of mine–even ten years older–were having a very satisfactory sex life, and I could not believe that my problems (with my good health) were related to age alone. I went to the internet and found the site of San Diego Sexual Medicine, with Dr. Irwin Goldstein as its director. In my first telephone interview with Dr. Goldstein, which he provides at no cost to anyone with ED problems, he asked me if I used an exercise bike with the typical long bicycle seat, which I did. He warned me that constant use of this kind of seat can damage an important nerve that has a key role in the enlargement of the penis during sexual activity. I definitely stopped using this bike, but decided to come in and get some blood tests anyway at Dr. Goldstein’s office in San Diego.
I still remember the surprise of Dr. Goldstein as he looked at my lab blood report, which measures all the organs and especially hormone levels involved in male sexual activity (this kind of blood panel was not done at my regular doctor’s office). He said my testosterone level was very low and that I had the estrogen level of a menopause woman! No guy wants to hear that kind of news! In addition, my thyroid was just not performing as it should. I was very relieved to finally know what was going on!
After that, Dr. Goldstein examined my erection to see if any other factors were present, and it was fine. The only thing I needed was some hormone replace in the form of embedded testosterone pellets, a pill to reduce my estrogen level, and another pill to assist the functioning of the thyroid.
Now, nearly four months later, I am performing perfectly and there is no sign of ED. Never have I failed during these months to have a fine erection and satisfactory sexual experience with my partner. I have indicated to Dr. Goldstein the absolute success of his diagnosis and that fact that hehas brought me back from my desperation of not being able to please the person I love.
One final note–the typical health insurance policy does not cover ED issues. To me, that is incredible, since for guys, ED problems are so important to our life and to the happiness of our loved ones. I am fortunate in that I have savings to cover these treatments, but I hope someday other men who may not have the resources to personally pay will be able to seek economic support from a more friendly insurance industry or similar source of support.