There are few systematic studies of the relationship between blood testosterone concentrations and the symptoms of overt androgen deficiency. Because most testosterone preparations are relatively short-term, the rapid changes in blood testosterone concentrations they cause make it difficult to define any testosterone threshold. By contrast, subdermal testosterone implants provide stable blood t...

Guaraná (Paullinia cupana H.B.K., Sapindaceae) is a rainforest vine that was domesticated in the Amazon for its caffeine-rich fruits. Guaraná has long been used as a tonic and to treat various disorders in Brazil and abroad and became a national soda in Brazil about a century ago. In the last two decades or so, guaraná has emerged as a key ingredient in various 'sports' and energy drinks as wel...

A growing body of evidence is available to guide care for women with sexual concerns. This article considers the case of a 60-year-old woman who with menopause developed decreased libido, rapidity of sexual arousal, and intensity of orgasm. She requests information about strategies to optimize sexual function. Effects of aging and menopause on female sexual response are reviewed and an evaluati...

Male hypogonadism is a condition characterized by decreased testosterone production and sperm quality or production. This can be the result of primary testicular failure or secondary testicular failure due to pituitary or hypothalamic disorders. Symptoms of hypogonadism include erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and regression or absence of secondary sexual characteristics. Total testoster...

Ginseng is often referred to as the King of all herbs, and is found to be a promising agent to improve general well-being. Ginseng has also been reputed as an aphrodisiac, and is used to treat sexual dysfunction as well as to enhance sexual behavior in traditional Chinese medical practices. Data from animal studies have shown a positive correlation among ginseng, libido, and copulatory performa...

Male hypogonadism is a condition characterized by decreased testosterone production and sperm quality or production. This can be the result of primary testicular failure or secondary testicular failure due to pituitary or hypothalamic disorders. Symptoms of hypogonadism include erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and regression or absence of secondary sexual characteristics. Total testoster...

demands on medicine, but also removes the incentive to tackle the causes of the problem, be they familial, social, or political. More recently, we find low libido in women labelled as a ‘dysfunction’ which needs tablets to ‘cure’ it. It’s ironic, too, that the government is mounting a campaign to get people off long-term sickness benefit while we doctors medicalise job stress and poor working c...

INTRODUCTION Although the efficacy of testosterone for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder is well established, the effect of testosterone therapy on breast cancer risk remains uncertain. AIM The incidence of invasive breast cancer among past and current testosterone users. METHODS Retrospective cohort study of 631 women ever treated with testosterone between January 1989 and...

The proposed key symptoms of the female androgen insufficiency syndrome (FAIS) include reduced libido, diminished well being and lowered mood. The diagnosis of FAIS is made on the basis of these symptoms in the setting of a low serum free testosterone level. However, there is currently no readily available inexpensive assay which reliably measures free testosterone levels in the female range. T...

Male hypogonadism is a condition characterized by decreased testosterone production and sperm quality or production. This can be the result of primary testicular failure or secondary testicular failure due to pituitary or hypothalamic disorders. Symptoms of hypogonadism include erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and regression or absence of secondary sexual characteristics. Total testoster...