I have a little jar of testosterone cream, purchased via prescription. The formula contains 2% testosterone, as well as some other ingredients, including something called vite (which I never heard of) and also aloe. The directions say to apply teaspoon daily at the inside of my wrist; I got the prescription from a certified nurse practitioner working in an ob-gyn office after I complained of low libido and lack of sexual interest.
Testosterone, a naturally occurring hormone generated by young, healthy males, is required for maintaining muscle mass, energy, bone density, blood sugar, blood pressure, and preventing depression. Its also required to have a libido. Bioidentical formulas can be found on line without prescription; if you want the real deal, you have to see a health care professional who can write a scrip. Be aware that homeopathic bioidentical formulas may contain other ingredients including ginko bilboa, damiana, horny goat weed extract (yes, you read that right), and other unpronounceable herbal extracts.
Men and women alike can benefit from topical testosterone creams. As men age, their testes produce lower levels of testosterone, which in turn leads to loss of muscle mass, decreased bone strength and sexual interest. Men can receive actual injections of the hormone from their doctor on a bi-monthly basis, or they can use a cream or even a transdermal patch. Testosterone creams should be applied at the same time every day. Consistency is important if you want the drug to work.
Testosterone creams used by women are even trickier in terms of usage. No woman who is pregnant or trying to become pregnant should use them as they may cause damage to the fetus. Also the creams must be kept out of the hands of young children, who could also be hurt by using them. On the upside, testosterone creams can help maintain a womans weight after menopause when she naturally may accumulate more fat around her waist. Testosterone creams also thicken the walls of the vagina so intercourse can be enjoyed again without pain. Some people think it helps the condition of the skin in general, making it softer and more pliant.The downside is that testosterone promotes hair growth in women in places women dont want to grow hair, can cause acne (pimples? At 50?), mood changes, vocal changes, even liver disease, the latter more prevalent if you also drink alcohol or are a regular user of ibuprofen.Be aware that the non-prescription bioidentical testosterone widely available on-line have not been evaluated by the FDA, and because they are made of herbs, not genuine testosterone, may not have any effect on you at all. At the other end of the spectrum, restoring a healthy libido in men and women can put the spice back in your marriage, relieve stress and depression, and even improve body composition (remember, bodybuilders use it to build muscle mass).Did I use my cream? Not entirely. I use it very sparingly, not as directed. Its a great placebo and incentive, though, to resurrect interest in S.E.X.Eve Marx frequently reports on sex for ThirdAge.com.
