Low Sex Drive? Testosterone Gel Could Help -- or Not

Pharmaceutical companies promote testosterone gel as an elixir for old men with low energy or low sex drive -- but researchers at the University of Minnesota will put those claims to the test.

The U announced last week it is one of 12 sites for a $45 million federal trial of testosterone gel. The study of 800 men will be one of the largest to examine the gel and whether it can reverse the symptoms that often have been associated with a natural drop in testosterone.

Smaller studies have produced conflicting results on whether these gels improve sex drive and whether they preserve vitality, muscle mass and cognition in older men, said Dr. Howard Fink, a general internist at the university and the Minneapolis VA Medical Center who will be part of the research team.

"The science is really unclear right now," he said.

Despite the lack of research results, sales of testosterone gels have been brisk. Solvay Pharmaceuticals posted nearly $500 million in global sales of AndroGel last year for the treatment of low testosterone, which has been branded as "Low T" in the company's commercials.

"There are no wrong answers, just answers," the AndroGel Web site advises.

"Losing muscle mass? Low sex drive? Lack of energy?" the Web site for rival Testim asks. "You could have low testosterone. Testim may help. Ask your doctor."

Such confidence is not reflected in groups such as the U.S. National Institute on Aging and the American Medical Association, which looked

at available evidence regarding testosterone therapy this year and found it difficult to draw any conclusions over its anti-aging benefits.

The U.S. aging institute is funding the upcoming trial, which will be centered at the University of Pennsylvania. The University of Minnesota will enroll 70 men who are 65 and older. Some will receive testosterone gel, while others will receive a placebo gel that has the same smell, color and consistency.