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Spring,
2007---
Serum levels of testosterone, the male hormone, decline
with age. Along with this hormonal decline may come a decline in
the male structures and functions which are maintained by testosterone,
ie, a "male
menopause" syndrome. The decline may affect muscle mass and strength,
bone mineral density, sexual performance, hair growth and skin thickness,
lean body mass, mood, and cognition. The
syndrome may be ameliorated by testosterone replacement therapy (TRT),
and thus TRT is currently a widespread, growing practice.
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However, when aging men receive testosterone,
the potential effects of the male hormone on the prostate gland are
a paramount concern. Aging men have a substantial prevalence of subclinical
prostate disease, both benign and malignant, and testosterone is the
primary nutrient for the prostate. Thus, a fear about the prostatic
effects of TRT has been present for decades. While several studies  have
failed to show any overt effects clinically, none has focused on prostate
tissues. In 2001 the USRF team began such an investigation. The result
of that 5-year work, "Effects
of Testosterone Replacement Therapy on Prostate
Tissues in Men with Late Onset
Hypogonadism," was published in a special Men's Health issue of
J.A.M.A. in November, 2006.
The conclusion of the USRF study---that in aging
men with low testosterone levels restoration of normal levels by TRT
has no discernible effect on the prostate gland---served as a springboard
for several commentaries by expert reviewers.
The JAMA Men’s
Health Issue (Nov. 15, 2006) was launched with a press conference
in New York City on Nov. 14, 2006. At the conference, JAMA editor Katherine
DeAngelis introduced the 4 invited speakers, each of whom contributed
an original research paper to the issue. In addition to the USRF article,
a number of other practice-changing
studies were featured, leading to substantial coverage
of the Men’s Health Issue in the lay press.
Jim’s
Story
---Watch L.A. businessman Jim
Holland describe his symptoms and tell about participating in the
USRF testosterone study, in an on-camera interview with lead author,
Dr. Leonard Marks. Did Jim choose
to continue with TRT after the trial? YES! And in these clips, he tells
why.
Co-authors
of TRT paper in JAMA
12 medical scientists from 8 academic centers
across the U.S. contributed to the USRF article in J.A.M.A. Their varied
backgrounds, special talents, and individual contributions to the project
are shown here.
History of Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
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