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Testosterone is an element of success that competitors appear to stress, and an array of misinformation occurs. The common narrative is that athletes should try to make their testosterone as strong as possible, which is why many vitamin firms do a decent job in natural testosterone boosters. But are these supplements worthwhile, and what part does testosterone really play in athletic performance? In this post, we are going to discuss this hormone and its function in sporting success.

Let us take a deeper look at the testosterone molecule. Testosterone is the primary male steroid hormone that drives the production of male sex characteristics. It is usually considered to be the primary hormonal anabolic driver, the mechanism through which things expand specifically muscle. Although testosterone is predominantly a male hormone, females often possess it at much lower amounts than males. This is one of the key explanations that women seem to have fewer body mass than their male counterparts.

Testosterone has a variety of functions that could be of concern to athletes. It plays a role in the training response by guiding many of the beneficial adaptations that athletes aim to produce. This involves an improvement in muscle mass after hypertrophy-based strength training. Testosterone raises the rate of post-training muscle protein synthesis, which continues to arise throughout the long term while testosterone increases the transcription of genes that drive enhanced muscle protein synthesis and thus muscle hypertrophy.

Physiological reactions are well demonstrated in experiments in which researchers gave testosterone supplementary subjects (which is forbidden by the World Anti-Doping Agency) and tracked its effect on muscle development. In a well-known 1996 report reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, a group of researchers compared changes in muscle size and intensity in a group of testosterone subjects and performed strength exercise alone compared to those performing strength training.

The findings were clear; additional testosterone had a significant impact on growing muscle size and strength. The testosterone and exercise community improved muscle size by more than 600 mm in their quadriceps relative to a reduction of more than 100 mm in the exercise-only group. They also increased their 1RM press by 9kg while the exercise-only party remained the same.

There is also new evidence that shows that testosterone has short-term non-genetic consequences, such as modifying energy metabolism and motor system activity, all of which may help resistance training adaptations.

Testosterone can also influence the desire to exercise and compete. In a group of female athletes, Christian Cook and Martyn Beaven observed that over the span of five training sessions, the circulating testosterone levels had an effect on the load selected by the athletes to be raised. In this situation, higher levels of testosterone were correlated with higher training weights chosen, suggesting that as testosterone rises, the desire to exercise increases.

Similar findings have been recorded for males. In a community of professional rugby players, higher pregame testosterone levels were correlated with an improved risk of winning, whereas lower levels increased the odds of losing. This gives strength to the statement that elevated amounts of testosterone have an effect incentive.

It is obvious that ensuring optimum testosterone levels would definitely support athletic success. So how are we supposed to do that? Any nutritional factors endorse sufficient amounts of testosterone. The first is dietary adequacy i.e. sufficiently calories to eat. Long-term calorie restriction lowers hormone levels.

Both zinc and vitamin D levels are related to the levels of testosterone. Low amounts of zinc are correlated with a reduction in testosterone, so it is logical to ensure an appropriate amount of zinc.

Higher amounts of body fat are often correlated with lower levels of testosterone. Although most competitors are not overweight or obese, certain particular activities (throws) and athletic positions (rugby forwards and NFL players) are at greater risk. While their place can need more weight, there is a chance of lower testosterone levels, demonstrating how cautious balancing action is needed.

Lifestyle conditions also have an effect on testosterone levels. Increased levels of stress can alter the ratio of testosterone to cortisol, contributing to a decrease in the relative levels of testosterone that are available for positive effects. Females that use oral contraception often appear to have lower levels of testosterone and lower levels of testosterone after strength exercise.

The type of exercise done by athletes can also have an effect on testosterone levels. Both sprint training and strength training boost testosterone levels acutely, while endurance-based training also reduces testosterone levels. This may be one of the explanations that resistance training has such a beneficial impact on endurance athletes; it may boost their testosterone levels and thus their drive.

These results have been repeated on many occasions. Bosco and Viru, two brilliant sports scientists, stated that sprinters had higher testosterone levels than soccer players who in fact, had higher testosterone levels than endurance athletes in this case, cross-country skiers.

We have observed that testosterone is an effective hormone for athletic activity by:

We can increase testosterone levels and increase athletic performance by:

When it comes to testosterone-boosting supplements, there is no real proof that they work, aside from theoretically addressing dietary disorders that could have an effect on testosterone levels. As normal, it is much easier for athletes to attempt to remedy these deficiencies by modifying their foods rather than shifting to supplements.

Excerpt from:
How the decline of testosterone plays role in sports and athletes - The Sports Daily

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Market Segment By TypeGelsInjectionsPatchesOther

Market Segment By ApplicationHospitalsClinicsOthers

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Chapter 3 Rising Trends and New Technologies with Major key players

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Chapter 5 Testosterone Replacement Therapy Market Application and Business with Potential Analysis

Chapter 6 Global Testosterone Replacement Therapy Market Segment, Type, Application

Chapter 7 Global Testosterone Replacement Therapy Market Analysis (by Application, Type, End User)

Chapter 8 Major Key Vendors Analysis of Testosterone Replacement Therapy Market

Chapter 9 Development Trend of Analysis

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Testosterone Replacement Therapy Market By Size, Share, Growth, Key-Companies, Trends, Demand, Future Prospects and Forecast 2077 - BIZNEWS

Testosterone is an important hormone in males, contributing to many aspects of development, which is why low testosterone can be so noticeable.

During your teenage years, testosterone initiated your facial hair to start growing, your voice to deepen, your muscles to strengthen, and your sperm to start producing. As you reached adulthood, your testosterone production plateaued and began to decline.

While the decline is normal, your testosterone may have dropped lower than expected, leading to some unwanted symptoms.

Understanding low testosterone

Low testosterone, also known as Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome, happens when testosterone production dips below what your body needs to function normally.

In healthy males, a normal level of testosterone in the blood is between 350 and 1,000 nanograms per deciliter, according to viTal4men testosterone replacement therapy clinic.

So, how will you be clued into low testosterone levels? Here are a few symptoms you may have noticed, according to the American Urology Association:

Low testosterone is not the only culprit behind these symptoms, as other issues such as diabetes, drug use, and obesity may be at play.

To help narrow it down, some specific symptoms are associated with low testosterone, according to WebMD:

Another term for the natural decline in testosterone over the years is andropause which, like menopause, can affect your mental state, as well. For example, you may be moody or depressed and have a hard time concentrating. You may also have trouble sleeping and low energy and motivation during the day.

What you can do

When your low testosterone is connected to a medical or lifestyle issue, treating those causes can improve testosterone production. In other cases, low testosterone may not have an easily identifiable cause.

Fortunately, diagnosing low testosterone is as simple as taking a blood test, which viTal4men offers for free, along with a 10-to-15-minute consultation with a medical practitioner who specializes in treating low testosterone.

At the viTal4men Clinic, we treat low testosterone levels with testosterone replacement therapy to get you back to your optimum level, viTal4men says.

Testosterone replacement therapy will help raise and maintain your testosterone levels with options that you and your provider will choose, based on what works best for you. These may include gels, patches, injections, oral medication, or surgically implanted pellets.

Injections are one of the most common and effective methods, as the right dosage will lead to improvements in energy, muscle mass, sexual desire, and verbal memory, along with a decrease in body fat about three weeks after treatment. Your depressive symptoms may improve as well, although that can take about 18 to 30 weeks to kick in. Throughout the process, youll need to continue receiving injections every 7 to 9 days at 15-minute consultations.

In addition to testosterone therapy, viTal4men offers discount erectile disfunction medication; services for diabetes, cholesterol, and blood pressure management; fat-burning B12/MIC injections; flu vaccines; wellness exams; and other general health care. The clinic accepts most major medical insurances.

For more information and to make an appointment for your free testosterone level test, visit Vital4Men.com.

Excerpt from:
Do you have symptoms of low testosterone? - KTAR.com

What if COVID-19 hit insecure men where it really hurt? We might not be all off to think that if the coronavirus leads to erectile dysfunction, the not-insubstantial percentage of men who dont wear masks might change their ways and shorten this horrificpandemic. Well, then its time to listen up. The evidence of a COVID and ED connection is starting to crop up with men reporting that theyre having trouble getting an erection after being infected by the coronavirus. Low libido from pandemic stress probably plays a role, but doctors say the virus itself could make it hard to get aroused.

This makes logical medical sense. Although COVID-19 is primarily known as a respiratory disease, it can disrupt many other body systems, including the cardiovascular system. Erectile dysfunction largely stems from issues with blood flow, so its no surprise that COVID-related vascular issues may be related to erectile dysfunction, Christopher Kyle, a urologist and medical health advisor for the sexual wellness company Giddy, told Huffington Post. Anything that degrades blood vessels or impedes how freely blood flows throughout all parts of the body will almost assuredly have an impact on the ability to achieve an erection.

Testosterone, which is crucial for erections, may also be a victim of COVID-19. The testicles are the main site of testosterone production in people who have them. Testicular cells have the ACE2 receptor on their surface that the coronavirus uses to invade cells, and researchers have found that the virus can use those receptors to infect the testes. This could not only have an impact on the production of testosterone but also sperm the coronavirus may not only affect erections but also fertility.

Overall poor health is also associated with erectile dysfunction. Men with poor health are at greater risk for severe COVID-19, and health problems from the disease can stick around for months, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This can put men who have been infected at risk for erectile dysfunction.

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There isnt yet data available that proves COVID-19 is the direct cause of erectile dysfunction or how common of a symptom it may be. Its important to study it, because the total number of people involved may be in the millions and across all age ranges, Hunter Wessells, a urologist at the University of Washington School of Medicine, told Elemental.

However, these case reports of erectile dysfunction may not have a viral cause. Pandemic stress is beyond real, and its real effects include trouble getting in the mood. So many people are stressed out from the one-two punch of the pandemic and the economy. Theyre working from home, some are or have been sick, and others are worried about finances. Its a mess, sex and relationship expert April Masini told Fatherly. This kind of stress wreaks havoc on mental health and sex drives; this kind of stress creates sex deserts.

If its a biological cause leading to erectile dysfunction after COVID-19, Viagra should help. If the roadblock is mental, self-care is essential. Exercise, eat right, and stop doomscrolling can reduce stress and make you feel a bit more in the mood. Although stress makes it harder to have sex, having sex decreases stress. If you can do it once, it might be easier to do again.

If youre not experiencing erectile dysfunction, take precautions against COVID-19 now to prevent issues in the bedroom later. Follow safer-at-home guidelines and when you do have to go out, remember to mask up to keep it up.

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An insufficiency in Vitamin D on the side of a mother could explain why autism spectrum disorder or ASD is thrice more typical in boys. Researchers at the Queensland Brain Institute have found this.

In their latest research, Professor Darryl Eyles and Dr. Asad Ali showed that Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy resulted in rising testosterone in the male rats' developing brain.

According to Professor Eyles, autism spectrum disorder's biological cause is unidentified. However, they have shown that "one of the many risk factors, is low vitamin D in mothers," leads to a rise in testosterone "in the brain of male fetuses" as well as amniotic fluid and the maternal blood.

On top of its function in absorbing calcium, Eyles explained that vitamin D is essential to many developmental processes.

Their study, the professor, added, also found that in male fetuses deficient in vitamin D, an enzyme that is breaking down testosterone was quieted and could be adding to the testosterone's high levels.

(Photo : Nathan Legakis on Pixabay)An insufficiency in Vitamin D on the side of a mother could explain why autism spectrum disorder or ASD is thrice more typical in boys.

Professor Eyles' previous study has presented that vitamin D is playing a crucial role in brain development and that providing mice with vitamin D supplements completely hindered autism-like traits in their offspring.

Dr. Ali, a co-author of the study, explained that over-exposure of the developing brain to sex hormones such as testosterone, for one, was believed to be an underlying reason for the occurrence of autism spectrum disorder, although the reasons stayed unclear.

Ali also said vitamin D is engaged in pathways that regulate a lot of sex hormones. "When the rat mothers were fed a diet that's low in vitamin D," continued explaining the co-author, it led to male fetal brains "to have high exposure levels" to testosterone.

According to Eyles, this research was the first to present that an identified risk factor for ASD changes testosterone in both the mother and the fetal brain's blood, a possible contributor to the reasons ASD is more predominant in males.

He also said that they have only examined one risk factor for ASD, which is a deficiency in vitamin D during development. Relatively, he added, the next step is to look at other probable risk factors like "maternal stress and hypoxia or lack of oxygen and find out if they have the same impact.

In addition, this, described as an "open-label prospective research," presented that expectant mothers who already had "at least one autistic child" when supplemented with high vitamin D dosage at about 5000 IU each day, during succeeding pregnancy and then provided their newborns with 1000 IU each day, to their newborns for three years, had "offspring with a reduced ASD recurrence."

While said to be promising, this research regrettably had a small sample size and no control group, so it can thus be regarded as an initial model for future clinical tests into vitamin D supplementation at best.

Lastly, an animal study presents that vitamin D supplements during pregnancy in a maternal immune activation's animal model completely prevent as well as ASD characteristics in their offspring.

ALSO READ: Happiness Depends On Where One Lives

Check out more news and information onAutism and Vitamin D Deficiencyin Science Times.

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New Study Finding: Autism Is Thrice More Common in Boys, and Vitamin D Has Something To Do With It - Science Times

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, now-familiar symptoms like diarrhea and a loss of smell or taste hadnt yet been confirmed; now, theyre hallmark signs of the illness. Although we know much more about the novel coronavirus now than we did months ago, doctors are still discovering new side effects of infection, including hair loss and lingering fatigue. The latest discovery? Research points to a surprising link between COVID-19 and erectile dysfunction (ED), the inability to obtain and/or maintain an erection for satisfactory sexual function.

A review of research published earlier this year was the first to note a correlation between survivors of COVID-19 and ED, plus evidence of other sexual and reproductive issues in recovered men, both short- and long-term.

The virus causes your body to have a very strong [immune] response, which can impact the cardiovascular system, circulation, and the heart, explains Anthony Harris, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H., CIO and associate medical director for WorkCare.

Any major stressor can disrupt your normal hormone function, which can, in turn, completely obliterate the libido, says Amin Herati, M.D., director of male infertility and mens health at the Brady Urological Institute and assistant professor of urology at Johns Hopkins University. Since COVID-19 infiltrates so many different parts of the body, from the skin to the brain, experts say its no surprise that ED could be a lingering effect, even post-recovery.

The causes of ED vary widely. Psychologically, there must be arousal; physiologically, the brain and body need to release the proper compounds to initiate an erection; and physically, the penis must be able to become erect.

Its like a car, Dr. Herati says. There has to be a desire to get in the car, plus a key in the ignition and gas in the tank. Long story short: Lots can go wrong along the way. And when the novel coronavirus starts to replicate in the body, the resulting illness can mess with every piece of this system, from blood vessels to testosterone levels, resulting in ED.

Any major illness that affects the body can [cause ED], but COVID-19 has this strong systemic, inflammatory response that really drives the hormones down, Dr. Herati notes. When hormone levels drop, guys will notice reduced spontaneous nocturnal and morning erections. That loss of desire for intercourse, and also the diminished spontaneous erection, is something that some guys have noticed with COVID-19.

Remember that strong immune response? Dr. Harris says it also affects your blood vessels, heart, and lungs, and that impact can affect your erection. (In this case, the driver might want to get moving, but the car wont start.)

COVID-19 attacks blood vessels, and symptoms caused by this complication of the virus have been well-documented over the past few months. Blood clots in the lungs, for example, can cause intense breathing issues, while clots closer to the skins surface can cause COVID toes. If blood flow is weakened or blocked by COVID-19, ED could be one of the ways that underlying issue presents itselfafter all, a healthy erection requires healthy blood flow.

And in a more general sense, weaker overall health caused or aggravated by the virus could also play a role. Men with poor health are at greater risk for developing ED and also for having a severe reaction to COVID-19, per the Cleveland Clinic. For instance, ED could point to underlying issues with the heart or circulation, especially when combined with COVID-19. If youre barely getting enough blood to other parts of your body because of clotting or a weakened heart, achieving an erection will be difficult.

Beyond the physical effects, the mental toll of recovering from the virus might play a role in suppressing libido. There is a very strong association with [ED] and the psychological effects from COVID, Dr. Harris says. We have to be aware of that.

For certain people, recovery is not so simple. So-called long-haulers, or people who have technically recovered from COVID-19, but still experience long-term symptoms or side effects, could be particularly at risk for ED caused by psychological distress. Depression, anxiety, and fatigue can all destroy the sex drive, leading to reproductive issues.

Until COVID-19 has been around long enough to study its long-term effects, experts cant be sure which symptoms are most likely to lingeror who is most at risk for prolonged illness.

But there is some hope. Testosterone levels often rebound to their normal levels once a temporary illness has passed. To my knowledge, there is no data that says that COVID-19 affects the [structures of the penis], Dr. Herati says. With hormones replaced and blood vessels intact, ED could be a short-term issue.

Still, there is no guarantee. I can give you a solid I dont know, Dr. Harris says. We dont know how long these effects will last prospectively, but weve seen them last for three months, six months, or even longer. Like with neurological and cardiovascular symptoms, there simply isnt enough research yet to determine how long patients can expect ED to last after COVID-19.

Whether or not COVID-19 directly causes ED, the two conditions are at least correlated. (Other adverse effects like permanent lung damage, chronic fatigue, and even death, however, are confirmed side effects of the illness.)

But it is crucial to note that theres no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine causes ED. Its side effects are akin to those of the annual flu shot, which is also encouraged by medical experts. Avoiding ED could be reason enough to seek out the vaccine. This is why men should go get vaccinated, Dr. Harris says with a laugh. Its worth it.

COVID-19 is a serious illness, and your first step should be addressing serious symptoms and side effects, like shortness of breath or heart problems. Compared to these complications, ED should hit the bottom of the priority list. (Keep in mind that when youre sick, you might not be in the right mental state to maintain an erection, either.)

But if youve recovered and youre still experiencing ED, its a good idea to chat with your doctor. They will be able connect you with a urologist, who can help determine the cause of your ED and offer potential solutions.

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Why COVID-19 Might Lead to Erectile Dysfunction in Some People, According to Doctors - Prevention.com

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The key vendors list of Testosterone Cypionate markets are: PfizerTevaCiplaSun PharmaceuticalHikma PharmaceuticalsPerrigo

Years considered for this report:

Historical Years: 2014-2019

Base Year: 2019

Estimated Year: 2020

Forecast Period: 2020-2027

Geographically, the report includes the research on production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate, and forecast (2014-2027) of the following regions:

* United States

* Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Poland)

* China

* Japan

* India

* Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam)

* Central and South America (Brazil, Mexico, Colombia)

* Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria)

* Other Regions

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Global Testosterone Cypionate Market Segmentation:

Market Segment By Type200 mg/mL100 mg/mL

Market Segment By ApplicationPrimary hypogonadismHypogonadotropic hypogonadismLate-onset hypogonadism

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Table of Content (TOC):

Chapter 1 Introduction and Overview

Chapter 2 Industry Cost Structure and Economic Impact

Chapter 3 Rising Trends and New Technologies with Major key players

Chapter 4 Global Testosterone Cypionate Market Analysis, Trends, Growth Factor

Chapter 5 Testosterone Cypionate Market Application and Business with Potential Analysis

Chapter 6 Global Testosterone Cypionate Market Segment, Type, Application

Chapter 7 Global Testosterone Cypionate Market Analysis (by Application, Type, End User)

Chapter 8 Major Key Vendors Analysis of Testosterone Cypionate Market

Chapter 9 Development Trend of Analysis

Chapter 10 Conclusion

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Testosterone Cypionate Market 2020 analysis with Key Players, Applications, Trends and Forecasts by 2040 - BIZNEWS

A team of scientists, which included University researchers, found that dexamethasone, a steroid used to treat severe cases of COVID-19, is less effective to treat COVID-19 for those with diabetes and other risk factors. The discovery suggests that further research is necessary to understand how to better treat diabetic and at-risk patients with COVID-19.

Dexamethasone is an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive steroid used to treat critically-ill, COVID-19 patients who require supplemental oxygen or ventilators. The steroid suppresses the immune system, alleviating the damage done to the lungs in patients with an overactive immune response, a bodily response that can be deadly. Besides COVID-19, dexamethasone has been used to treat severe pneumonia, asthma and other conditions.

What makes this paper special is that there arent that many drugs that are proven to treat COVID-19, said Dariusz Brzezinski, University Medical School research scientist and team member. Thats why dexamethasone is interesting because its been proven to help those severe cases.

For their research, scientists from the University School of Medicine, University of South Carolina and Poland relied on the LabDB Laboratory Information Management System, a database that tracks the structures of proteins. One such plasma protein, serum albumin, is known to transport drugs throughout the bloodstream, including dexamethasone. Serum albumin has different active sites to which drugs can bind in order to be carried throughout the body.

Wladek Minor, lead researcher and a Harrison Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Medical School, explained that by studying and refining the structure of dexamethasone as well as serum albumin, the team of scientists discovered that the steroids transport may influence its effectiveness in patients.

We started to look at this structure [of dexamethasone] and because we were working on albumin, Minor said. We found that dexamethasone binds to the same side as some drugs If the person is taking some other drug, there is a competition for the active site. If his active site is already occupied, [dexamethasone and albumin] cannot bind together.

Minor and the team of researchers demonstrated for the first time how dexamethasone binds with serum albumin for transport. Their new research indicates that other drugs and the hormone testosterone may compete with dexamethasone for the limited sites on serum albumin, resulting in drug displacement. In drug displacement, a drug administered at a high concentration can displace another drug, like dexamethasone, at the binding site, limiting its potential effectiveness. The scientists found that the testosterone molecule binds to albumin in the same way that dexamethasone does, further suggesting a competition between the two.

Those with diabetes have been found to have more severe symptoms of and complications with COVID-19. Diabetic patients often have high blood sugar levels which may modify serum albumin, affecting the binding site of dexamethasone.

In analyzing data from 373 patients at a hospital in Wuhan, China, the researchers also discovered that patients with high blood sugar levels as well as patients with lower than normal levels of albumin made up the majority of those who died from COVID-19.

Apparently if you have a higher level of albumin, you can survive, Minor said. The level of albumin in the case of women is higher than the case of men, and this explains why women have a higher chance to survive.

Further research is still needed to understand how best to treat COVID-19 patients affected by diabetes and high risk factors, like low levels of albumin. The researchers propose that clinical studies investigate alternative ways of administering dexamethasone to these patients.

[Studies] could try to administer small doses of dexamethasone over a longer period of time, Brzezinski said. This way if youre not transporting that much dexamethasone, then [there] wont be that much free dexamethasone in the body, so it wont have negative effects.

Increasing the dosage of dexamethasone for diabetic and at-risk patients may seem like an easy solution to override competing drugs, but too much dexamethasone over a long period of time can be harmful to the body.

The other idea is that you can administer dexamethasone not through injection but through inhalers, Brzezinski said. And this way you dont have albumin, you have a different way of transport and youre avoiding the problem altogether.

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Dexamethasone study provides insight into COVID-19 treatment for patients with diabetes, other risk factors - University of Virginia The Cavalier...

Gender transitioning is a long and complicated process for a lot of people and many trans people are resorting to private treatment due to long NHS waiting times.

Brodie Tilston, 22, from Flintshire, has spent just under 2,000 to access the life-changing hormone testosterone.

Testosterone is used to suppress female sex characteristics and is commonly used to masculinise transgender men.

Coming out in 2019, Brodie told WalesOnline he knew he had to go private from the start, creating a GoFund Me page to help with the costs.

"Straight away I knew I had to go private because looking into the NHS waiting list, it was way too long to start testosterone," he said.

"I was eager to start. It got to the point that I went to the gender clinic in Edinburgh," said Brodie.

"Every three months I had to travel. I must've spent just under 2,000 in total."

The financial burden meant that Brodie had to take out loans through work to make sure he could continue to access the treatments.

"It wasn't big loans, but it was stuff to keep me going," he added.

"I was paying less rent every month to my mate and stuff like that.

"It did get me in a place where I was struggling a bit because I was paying so much for hormones".

Fearing a long wait from the NHS, Brodie claimed that doctors were not helpful.

"They said it could be up to a year to just be diagnosed," Brodie said.

"I know things have changed recently, but it would be a number of months before I'd be diagnosed by a psychiatrist.

"My doctors haven't helped at all. They'll do blood tests, but with any shared care agreements they said they just won't do it.

"I knew straight away that through the NHS it would have taken twice as long to start testosterone."

Left feeling like he had an "illness", Brodie found the verification process of his identity difficult to go through.

It made me feel like I had an illness in a way with the questions they asked," he said.

You had to explain to someone who you were. It made feel like people didnt believe me, and I had to go through assessments to identify as he/him.

The fact I had to have two people have an opinion on it, it was difficult."

For many transgender people, including Brodie, physical treatment is vital for removing feelings of gender dysphoria which is detrimental to mental health.

Although people have pointed out noticeable physical changes, Brodie finds he is comparing himself to other cisgender men in his work place.

"I work in retail and I work with mainly cisgender men, so I'm constantly comparing myself to other people which I shouldn't do.

"But because of the dysphoria I'm constantly worried I'm going to be misgendered.

In an effort to look and feel more masculine, Brodie is left with no other choice but to wear binders until he can have surgery.

Some days I wear two. Its not recommended because its painful and it could affect the surgery," he admitted.

"You've got to plan your day around binding because it's so painful.

"It's not like I can just throw a T-shirt on and go to the shop, I've got to put my binders on to do that.

"I'm a bigger guy. Some people can get away with putting a hoodie on and looking flat, I can't."

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In an effort to receive treatment for a cheaper price, transgender people are having to travel abroad for their surgeries in some cases.

"It's got to the point where quite a lot of trans people are looking to go over to Poland," Brodie said.

"Going over to Poland is an option now as I can't deal with the binding every day and the dysphoria."

Looking to the future of transgender support and care, Brodie thinks things need to be taken more seriously.

"I think being trans is seen as a trend," he added.

"A lot of the time I think doctors feel like it's something we can wait for because it's just something we want. It's not, it's something that we need.

"It puts off a lot of young trans people coming out. I think it needs to be taken more seriously to be honest."

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The high cost of gender transitioning and its impact on people's mental health - Wales Online

Sebum is an oily substance produced in the sebaceous glands. It mixes with fat molecules, called lipids, to form a protective coating on the skins surface.

These lipids help hydrate the skin and protect it from potentially harmful pathogens, such as bacteria and fungi.

In this article, we explore how sebum is produced and what to do if the skin has too much or too little.

Sebum is a sticky, oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands, which sit in the middle layers of the skin, near hair follicles.

Sebum helps moisturize and protect the skin.

It contains several types of fat molecule, or lipids. Human sebum consists of 57.5% triglycerides and fatty acids, 26% wax esters, and 12% squalene, a lipid.

The face, scalp, and chest have the highest concentrations of sebaceous glands each area of skin may have up to 900 of these glands per square centimeter.

The sebaceous glands produce sebum through holocrine secretion, a process of programmed cell death. Specialized cells, called sebocytes, dissolve and release sebum into the sebaceous glands.

Sebum travels through the follicular duct that connects the sebaceous gland to the hair follicle. The growing hair pulls the sebum up and onto the surface of the skin.

Sebum production fluctuates in response to changing hormone levels. Sex hormones traditionally thought of as male, especially testosterone, play a large role in regulating sebaceous gland activity.

Sebum production peaks shortly after birth and decreases within the first week of life. During puberty, testosterone floods the body, triggering another spike in sebum production. Testosterone and sebum levels naturally decline with age.

Sebum contributes 90% of the lipids fat molecules on the skins surface. These lipids lock in moisture and protect the skin from UV radiation and other causes of harm.

Sebum also transports fat-soluble antioxidants, such as vitamin E, to the skins surface. This action may help prevent oxidative skin damage.

Meanwhile, sapienic acid and other fatty acids found in sebum help combat Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which can cause staph infections and contribute to atopic dermatitis.

Many components of sebum, including its fatty acids and squalene, have anti-inflammatory properties.

Components of sebum support skin health in several ways beyond combatting inflammation:

Sebum production varies in response to age-related hormone fluctuations, certain medications, and lifestyle factors.

An overproduction of sebum can lead to oily skin. People with oily skin may notice that their pores look larger, and their skin appears greasy or shiny.

Excess sebum combined with dead skin cells can form a plug inside the pore, resulting in blackheads and pimples. This plug also traps bacteria in the pore, which can lead to inflammation.

Eventually, the blocked pore ruptures, spilling bacteria, sebum, and dead skin cells into nearby tissue and creating acne lesions that may be painful.

People can often control oily skin by using a gentle but effective skincare routine that includes products containing:

The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommend that people with oily skin avoid oil- or alcohol-based cleansers. These products can irritate the skin, potentially triggering even more oil production.

Doctors can treat acne with:

An underproduction of sebum can also cause problems. The following factors can suppress sebum production:

People with underactive sebaceous glands, or too little sebum, may have dry, flaky, and itchy skin. These symptoms may worsen if a person uses skincare products containing harsh chemicals.

Moisturizers containing ceramides or humectants can help relieve dry skin. Ingredients to look for include:

People can also treat dry skin at home by:

A person might wish to consult a doctor if they have oily or dry skin that does not improve with over-the-counter treatments or home care strategies.

Also, contact a doctor if potentially concerning or uncomfortable skin symptoms arise, such as:

The sebaceous glands produce an oily substance called sebum, which contributes the vast majority of lipids fat molecules to the skins surface. These surface lipids keep the skin hydrated and healthy.

Having too much or too little sebum can cause skin problems. Excess sebum production can lead to oily skin or acne, while an underproduction of sebum can result in dry, itchy, or flaky skin.

In either case, over-the-counter skin care products and home care strategies can help rebalance sebum levels. If these techniques are ineffective, a person might wish to contact a doctor.

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What is sebum? Function, production, benefits, and more - Medical News Today

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