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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is becoming more and more popular for men. There has been some concern, however, that this therapy could be harmful to the prostate and linked to prostate cancer. A new study reveals TRT for men with low testosterone levels appears to have little or no effect on the prostate gland.
The use of TRT has steadily grown over the last five years. In 2005, 2.3 million prescriptions were written for these products. A low testosterone level in men is known as male menopause. Many men, usually older than 45, experience depression, sexual dysfunction, diminished lean body mass, muscle volume and strength and reduced bone mineral density.
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TRT helps improve these problems for men. However, testosterone given to men with advanced prostate cancer worsens the disease. So, a primary concern for those receiving TRT is prostate safety. Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles assessed the effects of TRT on prostate tissue in 44 men.
For the study, participants received either testosterone or a placebo every two weeks for six months. Most of the men also had prostate biopsies done at the beginning of the study and at the end of the study.
Researchers report the men who received the TRT experienced an increase in their testosterone levels to the mid-normal range. The men who received placebo had no changes. In the prostate tissue, the TRT group had a slight increase in the male sex hormone androgen but no other changes in the prostate were observed.
Study authors conclude the prostate risks to men undergoing TRT may not be as great as once believed. However, larger studies for longer durations still need to be done to confirm the findings of this study.
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
SOURCE: Journal of the American Medical Association, 2006;296:2351-2361
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