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The red roses are out on display and the giant teddies ready to ship off to many a lucky Valentine yep, the season of all things love is in full swing. So is there any truth to the commonly held belief that certain foods can help to get you in the mood?

Sure, it's well documented that oysters, figs and even bananas are the lusty tastes and visual aids we should seek out if the goal is to feel a little more randy, but is there any scientific truth to these claims? And if you are looking to spice up your sex life, what are the key foods can you add to your diet so you are all ready to embrace true love this Valentine's Day?

Oysters are one of the richest natural sources of zinc, a key nutrient involved in the production of testosterone. Low levels of zinc have also been associated with erectile dysfunction whilst boosting zinc intake has been shown to increase sperm count in some studies.

As a key sex hormone, testosterone plays a key role in regulating libido for both men and women. The production of testosterone is regulated by both the brain and the pituitary gland and is significantly impacted by stress levels. As testosterone production also declines as we age, ensuring an adequate dietary intake of zinc is key for optimising testosterone production and, in turn, sex drive.

Maca is a root vegetable found in Peru, derived from the same group of veggies as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. You can find it in both root and powdered form, and it can be added to smoothies and baking to boost overall nutritional intake.

However, one of the proposed benefits is that it helps to boost sexual interest and there are some published studies to back this up, too. There's also some evidence to show that supplementing with maca powder may improve the quality of a man's semen.

While more research is needed, adding some maca to your daily smoothie will cause no harm and may even play a role in boosting your sex drive.

While egg whites are known for their high protein levels, let's not forget the key nutrients found in egg yolk some of which give your sex hormones a boost.

Egg yolk is a rich source of Vitamin D and E, which are fat soluble vitamins that play a key role in hormone production including your sex hormones. The yolk is also a rich source of Vitamin B5 and B6 which play key roles in energy production.

It is the special omega-3 fats, found in particularly high quantities in deep sea oily fish like salmon, that is associated with boosting sexual performance and drive long term. Firstly, omega-3 fats act to reduce inflammation and improve blood flow. And these good fats are also involved in sex hormone production, playing a powerful role in regulating our sex drive. A fresh Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon like Tassal will help give you that extra boost.

One of the richest natural sources of the amino acid arginine, peanuts or 100 per cent peanut butter are a must if your goal is optimising blood flow to the regions of the body that may benefit from good circulation.

Specifically, arginine is involved in the production of nitric oxide, which is required to achieve and maintain erectile function. So boosting your intake via foods including peanuts, turkey, seeds and wholegrains is a natural alternative to more aggressive medications such as Viagra, which also works by increasing the level and activity of nitric oxide in a medicinal form.

When it comes to feeling in the mood, let's not forget the importance of maintaining optimal energy levels in general, especially for busy women. With at least 1 in 4 Australian women exhibiting clinically low iron levels, is it any wonder so many of us are too tired for any action?

The simple answer to the issue of 'I'm too tired'? Boost your lover's iron intake with a small serve of lean red meat, one the richest natural sources of iron, 3-4 times each week to help optimise energy and libido. And for the blokes, cooking her dinner (and cleaning up afterwards) will probably help, too.

Susie Burrell is a leading Australian dietitian and nutritionist, founder of Shape Me, and prominent media spokesperson, with regular appearances in both print and television media commenting on all areas of diet, weight loss and nutrition.

Originally posted here:
6 foods to get you in the mood this Valentine's Day - 9Coach

Testosterone is a hormone found in humans, as well as in other animals. The testicles primarily make testosterone in men. Womens ovaries also make testosterone, though in much smaller amounts.

The production of testosterone starts to increase significantly during puberty, and begins to dip after age 30 or so.

Testosterone is most often associated with sex drive, and plays a vital role in sperm production. It also affects bone and muscle mass, the way men store fat in the body, and even red blood cell production. A mans testosterone levels can also affect his mood.

Low levels of testosterone, also called low T levels, can produce a variety of symptoms in men, including:

While testosterone production naturally tapers off as a man ages, other factors can cause hormone levels to drop. Injury to the testicles and cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation can negatively affect testosterone production.

Chronic health conditions and stress can also reduce testosterone production. Some of these include:

A simple blood test can determine testosterone levels. Theres a wide range of normal or healthy levels of testosterone circulating in the bloodstream.

The normal range of testosterone for men is between 280 and 1,100 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) for adult males, and between 15 and 70 ng/dL for adult females, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Ranges can vary among different labs, so its important to speak with your doctor about your results.

If an adult male's testosterone levels are below 300 ng/dL, a doctor may do a workup to determine the cause of low testosterone, according to the American Urological Association.

Low testosterone levels could be a sign of pituitary gland problems. The pituitary gland sends a signaling hormone to the testicles to produce more testosterone.

A low T test result in an adult man could mean the pituitary gland isnt working properly. But a young teen with low testosterone levels might be experiencing delayed puberty.

Moderately elevated testosterone levels in men tend to produce few noticeable symptoms. Boys with higher levels of testosterone may begin puberty earlier. Women with higher than normal testosterone may develop masculine features.

Abnormally high levels of testosterone could be the result of an adrenal gland disorder, or even cancer of the testes.

High testosterone levels may also occur in less serious conditions. For example, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, which can affect males and females, is a rare but natural cause for elevated testosterone production.

If your testosterone levels are extremely high, your doctor may order other tests to find out the cause.

Reduced testosterone production, a condition known as hypogonadism, doesnt always require treatment.

You may be a candidate for testosterone replacement therapy if low T is interfering with your health and quality of life. Artificial testosterone can be administered orally, through injections, or with gels or patches on the skin.

Replacement therapy may produce desired results, such as greater muscle mass and a stronger sex drive. But the treatment does carry some side effects. These include:

Some studies have found no greater risk of prostate cancer with testosterone replacement therapy, but it continues to be a topic of ongoing research.

One study suggests that theres a lower risk of aggressive prostate cancers for those on testosterone replacement therapy, but more research is needed.

Research shows little evidence of abnormal or unhealthy psychological changes in men receiving supervised testosterone therapy to treat their low T, according to a 2009 study in the journal Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management.

Testosterone is most commonly associated with sex drive in men. It also affects mental health, bone and muscle mass, fat storage, and red blood cell production.

Abnormally low or high levels can affect a mans mental and physical health.

Your doctor can check your testosterone levels with a simple blood test. Testosterone therapy is available to treat men with low levels of testosterone.

If you have low T, ask your doctor if this type of therapy might benefit you.

Read this article:
Testosterone: What It Is and How It Affects Your Health

The hormone testosterone plays an important role in mens health. For starters, it helps to maintain muscle mass, bone density, and sex drive. Testosterone production is at its highest in a mans early adulthood and drops a little bit each year thereafter.

When the body doesnt produce the right amount of testosterone, the condition is called hypogonadism. Sometimes its called low T as well. Men diagnosed with hypogonadism can benefit from testosterone therapy. Therapy isnt usually recommended, however, if your testosterone levels fall within the normal range for your age.

Theres no magic solution for boosting your testosterone, but some natural remedies may help.

It doesnt get more natural than getting a good nights sleep. Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that lack of sleep can greatly reduce a healthy young mans testosterone levels. That effect is clear after only one week of reduced sleep. Testosterone levels were particularly low between 2 and 10 p.m. on sleep-restricted days. Study participants also reported a decreased sense of wellbeing as their blood testosterone levels dropped.

How much sleep your body needs depends on many factors. Most adults generally need between seven and nine hours per night in order to function well and lead a healthy life.

Overweight, middle-aged men with prediabetes are also likely to have low testosterone levels. A study from The Journal of Endocrinology revealed that low T and diabetes are closely linked. Men who maintain a normal weight have a lower risk of developing full-blown diabetes as well as hypogonadism.

Research published in the European Journal of Endocrinology confirms that losing some weight can help boost your testosterone. These findings dont mean you have to go on a crash diet. The best way to achieve and maintain a healthy weight is through a sensible diet and regular exercise.

Men with hypogonadism often have zinc deficiencies. Studies suggest that zinc plays an important part in regulating serum testosterone levels in healthy men.

Eating foods that are rich in this essential nutrient may help. Oysters have a lot of zinc; red meat and poultry do too. Other food sources of zinc include:

Adult males should aim to get 11 mg of zinc each day.

Shop for zinc supplements.

Zinc isnt enough to ensure youre getting the all the nutrition you need. The human body is a complex system that requires a wide variety of vitamins and minerals for smooth operation.

The Endocrine Society reports that glucose (sugar) decreases testosterone levels in the blood by as much as 25 percent. This was true of study participants whether they had prediabetes, diabetes, or a normal tolerance for glucose.

show that total testosterone levels increase after exercising, especially after resistance training. Low testosterone levels can affect your sex drive and your mood. The good news is that exercise improves mood and stimulates brain chemicals to help you feel happier and more confident. Exercise also boosts energy and endurance, and helps you to sleep better. Fitness experts recommend 30 minutes of exercise every day.

Low testosterone levels may contribute to decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, fragile bones, and other health issues. Having low testosterone levels may also indicate an underlying medical condition. See your doctor if you suspect you have low testosterone. A simple blood test is all it takes to check if your testosterone falls within the normal range.

Learning that your testosterone is low can be unsettling, but its not a reflection of virility or manhood at all. Speak to your doctor about your treatment options, but a few lifestyle changes may be all you need to re-energize, body and spirit.

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5 Natural Testosterone Boosters

Jatenzo (testosterone undecanoate; Clarus Therapeutics), an oral testosterone replacement therapy, is now available for the treatment of hypogonadism.

Specifically, Jatenzo is indicated for testosterone replacement therapy in adult males for conditions associated with a deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone:

Jatenzo is not intended for use in males with age-related hypogonadism and its safety and efficacy have not been established in males <18 years old.

The treatment carries a Boxed Warning related to blood pressure (BP) increases that could potentially increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. In a clinical trial, Jatenzo increased systolic BP during 4 months of treatment by an average of 4.9 mmHg based on ambulatory BP monitoring and by an average of 2.8 mmHg from baseline based on BP cuff measurements. For this reason, baseline cardiovascular risk should be considered before initiating therapy and BP should be adequately controlled. Among study patients treated with Jatenzo, 7% were started on antihypertensive medications or required intensification of their antihypertensive medication regimen during the 4-month trial.

Jatenzo, a Schedule III controlled substance, is available in 158mg, 198mg, and 237mg softgels. Dosage should be individualized based on serum testosterone concentrations.

Jatenzo offers patients a convenient softgel formulation, and eliminates the worry of gel transference, skin irritation from patches, or pain from injections that other testosterone treatments carry, said Dr Ronald S. Swerdloff, lead investigator of the inTUne trial, the pivotal study that established the safety and efficacy of the treatment.

For more information visit jatenzo.com.

Read more here:
Jatenzo, an Oral Testosterone Replacement Therapy, Now Available - Monthly Prescribing Reference

BEAUMONT, Texas One Beaumont woman is thanking a tiny pellet filled with testosterone for turning her life around.

For most of her life, Virginia Coleman struggled with a hormone imbalance, and she says it affected her every single day.

Just to get up and move was a chore," Coleman said. "I lived in my pajamas in front of the television."

For decades, she suffered.

I had no quality of life. I felt like I was depressed but it wasnt depression," Coleman said. "I just didnt care about anything.

She said nothing helped.

"I just finally gave up and just said, 'okay Ill just wait here until I die,' Coleman said.

While she struggled with the imbalance, she was faced with another devastating battle. In 1999, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to be taken off hormone medications.

They caught it on a routine mammogram and did a lumpectomy and saw that there were cancer cells," Coleman said.

She tells us, the breast cancer wasn't hormone related and did not understand why her doctors took her off.

After surgery and radiation, she's now living cancer-free.

But Coleman said the suffering and agony was still there.

Doctors tried to prescribe medications that just didn't help.

They tried to give me antidepressants or tell me it was all in my head or that there was nothing wrong, but there was," Coleman said.

One day, she finally found hope.

Hope in the form of a tiny pellet. A pelletfull of testosterone.

KBMT

Coleman says a couple of years ago she was seeing Dr. Lubna Elahi at Revivify Medical Spa in Beaumont.

READ HERE |Learn more about BioTe pellets

I came in here for other things, you know personal body stuff. Losing weight and things like that," Coleman said.

That's when she was introduced to a plant-based hormone called Biote testosterone pellets.

Since she had always been told by her doctors she can't take hormones, she decided to get a second opinion from another oncologist and was given the green light.

Okay, we will give it a try because I have tried everything else and it wasnt working," Coleman said.

Elahi has been performing the procedure called 'pelleting' for about three years. Both men and women see Dr. Elahi for the hormone therapy. It's becoming more common.

Those hormones are compressed in these tiny pellets," Elahi said. "We are going to inject them in the fatty area of your buttocks."

Dr. Elahi says while testosterone is a hormone that's associated with menit's critical for the female anatomy.

Normally in women we think about estrogen and progesterone and we never take testosterone into account how important it is for a female body to function as well," Elahi said.

So is this right for you?

There are labs and blood work to help doctors figure that outthe data from the labs is used to determine the exact dosage of testosterone and how many pellets you need.

We always do a post lab in a certain amount of time for men and women to see how high they went up and to keep them within the limit. And also watching how they are feeling," Elahi said.

But as with any medical treatmentthere are side effects. Elahi said patients may experience water retention, headaches, queasiness and acne breakouts.

READ MORE | BioTe hormone therapy

Side effects for women include possible hair growth on the face, and in men it can cause low sperm count.

But for Coleman, it was not only worth it, but it was life-changing.

There is just no way to explain it. Its like life and death, its night and day. Its that much different for me and I hope it works that way for other people too, Coleman said.

Dr. Elahi says women who are pelleted will need to get it done every three to four months. For men, it should be done about every five months.

Unfortunately, the procedure is not covered by insurance.

Elahi says it costs about $350 for women and $750 for men.

According to Dr. Elahi, women begin losing testosterone as early as 20 years old. For men it starts at age 30.

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Originally posted here:
Testosterone pellets gaining popularity as hormone therapy in Southeast Texas - 12newsnow.com KBMT-KJAC

Update Date: Feb 07, 2020 03:32 PM EST

Roots and powder of Ashwagandha also known as Indian ginseng on wooden background. Hair loss, anti cancer, testosteron and depression benefits. (Photo : Bigstock)

Low-testosterone is nothing to lay still and live with. Even if you do not want to dive-in to the world of prescription medicine for the condition, there are still alternatives. Many natural remedies exist that can increase your testosterone. Let's examine all of the nutrients you need to start getting your testosterone levels increasing.

Remember what you put into your body matters. Understand what foods or vitamins can help you boost your metabolism and research exercises that will keep you healthy and active.

The best foods for increasing testosterone may surprise you. Dark Chocolate is delicious and can be added to breakfast meals, and eaten as a snack to boost testosterone. Prepare your meals using extra virgin olive oil. This is a quick alternative to looking into all the elements of the dish, and even if you are stir frying some hearty veggies, it will give the whole meal a kick. The biggest thing to remember about extra virgin olive oil, is that you need to make sure it is the real stuff.

Adding certain foods to your morning shake or oatmeal is key to boosting your testosterone, and most like the dark chocolate will give it an improved taste. With your piece of toast, cut some avocado to go on top. It is full of vitamins, promoting overall health, but the fats it contains is perfect for increasing testosterone.

cruciferous vegetables

If you're looking for increased health in any way as a man, Vitamins B3, B6, and B12 are a resource for controlling cholesterol levels and testicular function. Deficiencies in these vitamins are more common than men would like to think. Once you're lacking in B12, your testosterone levels begin to plummet and you may not see this until extreme side-effects begin.

When speaking of common vitamin deficiencies, Vitamin D is at the top of the list. The United States has a rate of over 75% of the population suffering from a Vitamin D sufficiency. This can be a catalyst for low testosterone. By increasing Vitamin D consumption, testosterone levels are shown to increase by 20%.

For better sleep along with increasing testosterone, Ashwagandha is a herb said to strengthen. It does not only help with low testosterone. It is also a way to build muscle, and lose fat. In studies it had an overall effect on most functioning systems. With lower cholesterol, better sleep, less anxiety, and much more being reported.

Keeping your stress at bay may increase testosterone levels. Large amounts of stress occurring over and over again will always result in long-term stress which is a danger to all aspects of our health. Weight gain usually goes hand-in-hand with high levels of stress, and lowering testosterone levels.

Take time to create a nightly-routine. This way you can relax and take advantage of your sleep-time instead of tossing and turning through it. Look at your bedroom and eliminate anything distracting and make it a place solely for rest. Better sleep patterns are proven to help increase testosterone.

Low testosterone is not something to simply live with. It has many adverse side-effects and increase chances for certain cancers. Always remember to ask a doctor before you dive-into a new diet or supplementation. Take your testosterone levels into your own hands with proven ways to increase your testosterone using foods, herbs, and vitamins.

See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare

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Proven Ways To Naturally Increasing Your Testosterone - Counsel & Heal

Not all research findings turn out to be true. Of those that are tested, some will need to be amplified, others refined or circumscribed, and some even rejected. Practicing researchers learn quickly to qualify their claims, taking into account the possibility of improved measurements, more stringent analyses, new interpretations, and, in the extreme, experimental or theoretical error.

Qualification is routinely achieved by changing the form of the verb. Take this example from a physicsarticle: This lack of correlation may be due to the increased inhomogeneity expected for the MG method. The authors use of may allows for the lack of correlation to be due to something else.

The softening of any statement with a word or words is called hedging. It can be accomplished in manyways. One has already been indicatedinserting an auxiliary modal verb, may, might, can, or could. Another common way is to add a mitigating phrase or clause such as It is possible that or This suggests that.

Unhappily, the temptation for an author is to keep accumulating hedges to secure progressively more protection against potential criticism. Asa result, it becomes correspondingly harder for the reader to see what the author is actually claiming.

In these two sentencesfrom a molecular biologyarticle, theres a doubling of hedges, here in italics: itis possible that G9a-mediated H3K9 and H3K27 monomethylationmightserve as stimulating factors and Possiblecandidatesmightcomprise Jarid2 and Snail1. Both instances of might can be eliminated without affecting the provisional status of the claims.

Altogether this article contained 44instances of might, can, could, likely, and varieties of possibly, but none of may. Because of its potential for ambiguity, some authorities advise authors not to use may when whats beingsignalledis possibility instead of permission.

This next example is from an oncologyarticle:It has five hedges in one sentence: Although,on balance, testosteronemight possiblybe beneficial to the cardiovascular system, testosteronemightalso havesomedetrimental effects. Two of the hedges can be safely eliminated; for example, Although testosterone might be beneficial to the cardiovascular system, testosterone might also have some detrimental effects. Yet with two opposing uses of might, the sense of equivocation remains, despite the restrictive some. Given that might is seen as being more tentative than may, a less equivocal version is Although testosterone may be beneficial to the cardiovascular system, it might also have some detrimental effects. Whether this edit is valid, though, needs expert judgement. In all, this article contained 54 instances of might.

There can be very good reasons for using might so oftenbut its unusual. I estimated its general frequency of occurrence from an analysis of a sample of about 1000 articles from the physical, life, andbehaviouralsciences, mathematics, engineering, and medicine. Across the sample, 50% of articles containing might used it just once or twice and only 1% used it as many as 21 times or more.

In a more detailed analysis, I also found that as the frequency of the modals may, might, can, and could increased in an article, the frequency of pairs of hedges such as could indicate and possibly suggests increased still more. The implication is that multiple hedges within a sentence are a response to the prevailing rate of protection within the articlerather like having to talk more loudly in a noisy restaurant.

Whatever the cause, hedging can clearly escalate. But theres a countervailing force: the need to deliver impact, usually in the abstract or conclusion of an articlesomething to be remembered by the reader, a take-home message.Since impact is lessened by hedging, summary statements may succumb to under-qualification and go beyond what the data can safely support. At worst, they can lead to public correction and retraction of the article.

How, then, to choose the right amount of hedging? Every claim is unique to its particular context and its difficult to generalize. Even so, theres some strategic advice,popularly attributed to Albert Einstein, that may be helpful. Applied to hedging, its this: Hedging should be as simple as possiblebut never simpler. Although finding the right balance is another challenge, it at least encourages restraint.

Featured Image Credits: Julian SchllonUnsplash

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The problem with overqualified research - OUPblog

When was the last time you chatted to friends about vaginal dryness? Or talked about your favourite lubricants? How about, um never? We might be happy to swap hot-flush horror stories over a glass of picpoul, but when it comes to the effect of the menopause on our vaginas well, thats quite a different matter. And even if we do confide in a friend, we may be too shy to talk to a doctor. Take Louise, 53, who had a great sex life with her five-years-younger husband until the menopause started. Sex became painful, so my sex drive just faded away, she says. Have I seen someone about it? No. Its embarrassing. And what could they do, anyway?

Louises fatalistic attitude is one that Dr Philippa Kaye is on a mission to change. Dr Kaye, a fabulously straight-talking 40-year-old GP, is the author of The M Word: Everything You Need to Know About the Menopause, and she is determined to get us all talking about menopausal sex.

The problem, she says, is theres a taboo around female pleasure and around talking about sex as we get older. The words vagina and vulva should, she insists, be about as embarrassing as elbow and knee. If we get more comfortable talking frankly about sex, perhaps well be more comfortable asking for help.

Dr Kaye points out that sex remains important in midlife and beyond. In 2016, data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing showed that over half (54 per cent) of men surveyed and about a third (31 per cent) of women are sexually active over 70. A 2005 US study found that almost half of couples aged 60 to 69 had sex at least once a week, with over a third of couples over 70 saying the same. Sex matters. For many, its vital to a relationship, not simply for physical gratification but for intimacy and closeness, she says.

This is why shes often the one to raise the issue of sex in her consultations. Women are frequently surprised to learn their symptoms could be related to menopause, and grateful when I tell them nobody has to put up with painful sex or a low sex drive.

By the time we hit menopause, our bodies produce half as much testosterone as when we were 20. The result can be a flatlined libido. As well as boosting sex drive, testosterone can give women back their oomph, says Dr Kaye. I often see patients who use a smidge of testosterone gel in addition to their regular HRT, and they are all: Hello! Here I am!

Women only need a pea-sized dose of gel, rubbed into the lower abdomen or thighs daily. It can take up to six months to notice an effect, but Kate, 56, says, Im three days in and dont know why I didnt do this years ago. Im even looking at getting back into dating.

Loss of desire can also be a side-effect of depression or anxiety, and HRT can often help. Dr Kaye says, If you experience your first episode of depression or anxiety aroundperimenopause, then HRT should be the go-to treatment, not antidepressants. It can also help you sleep better, improving energy.

An alternative to testosterone and HRT is Tibolone, a synthetic steroid that has the properties of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. It can have more side-effects than HRT, and has a similar risk profile. However, if you are looking for an all-in-one preparation, it might be the answer.

If sex doesnt feel as good and orgasms are elusive, vibrators can help. Research shows vibrators dont just improve sexual response, they are also associated with better sleep, and reduced pain and stress, says Dr Kaye.

Vaginal dryness affects up to four out of five women after the menopause, and at least half suffer from genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Symptoms of GSM, which can develop years after your hot flushes have disappeared, include loss of tone in the vagina, fragile, thinner tissues, itching and burning, incontinence and dryness. This is where topical vaginal oestrogen comes in, explains Dr Kaye. Its applied in the form of a cream or pessary up to five days a week, or as a vaginal ring, which disperses oestrogen slowly over three months. The great thing about vaginal oestrogen is that although technically its a form of HRT, very little gets into your system, she says. Using it for a year is equivalent to taking just two HRT tablets.

Vaginal oestrogen can reduce the risk of UTIs and, says Dr Kaye, can also normalise the vaginas pH and microbiome, the healthy bacteria that live in the vagina. We now know the vaginal microbiome is very important and may even play a role in preventing cancer. You can use topical oestrogen alone if dryness is your only symptom, or with HRT.

Alternatively, Ospemifene is a non-hormonal drug that has an oestrogen-like effect in the vagina. One advantage, Dr Kaye explains, is that you can take it even if you are undergoing breast-cancer treatment.

Laser treatments, which involve using a laser wand inside the vagina, are claimed to stimulate healing and improve the quality and elasticity of vaginal tissues. A recent study showed results similar to those of topical oestrogen. However, says Dr Kaye, the treatment is expensive and, in the wrong hands, potentially risky. Only consider having treatment with a gynaecologist, never on the high street, she advises.

You moisturise your face every day, but how often do you moisturise your vagina? When it comes to the itching caused by GSM, it can work wonders, says Dr Kaye. She recommends either Yes vaginal moisturiser (yesyesyes.org) or Regelle (regelle.co.uk). If you are dry and itchy, start off by using them daily, and then, after a week or two, you can decrease to every three days.

Painful sex due to GSM can, says Dr Kaye, easily affect libido and your psychological response to sex. If sex is painful once, you are likely to worry about the next time, so you feel more tense and it becomes a vicious circle. While HRT and topical oestrogens help with dryness long-term, a quick fix to make sex better is life-changing double-lubing.

For slipperier, sexier sex, she advises using two lubricants, one oil-based, one water-based. Oil and water dont mix, so an oil lubricant will slide over a water-based one. You can put the water-based lubricant on you internally, and then the oil-based on him. Try it! (Find them at yesyesyes.org.)

But remember, warns Dr Kaye, oil-based lubricants damage condoms, so dont use them if you are unsure of your partners STI status or are still using contraception.

Bearing all that in mind: go, get the best sex of your life. Happy Valentines.

The M Word: Everything You Need To Know About the Menopause by Dr Philippa Kaye is out on Thursday (9.99, Summersdale)

Read the original here:
How to have great sex at any life stage (and that includes menopause) - Telegraph.co.uk

Following is a transcript of the video.

Graham Flanagan: Look at that beautiful bald man. He's oozing swagger and confidence. He owns it. But it wasn't always like this. This is Rob. He's 33. This is also Rob. He started to lose his hair when he was about 20. So, what happened? Why did Rob go bald, and what does it mean? There's something about being bald and owning it. I mean, look at all these bald icons. Michael Jordan, Jason Statham, his sidekick, The Rock. But losing your hair is not something you aspire to.

Commercial: If you're concerned about your thinning hair, call Hair Club for Men and receive our free brochure.

Flanagan: In fact, there's an entire industry built around fighting it.

Man: And remember: I'm not only the Hair Club president, but I'm also a client.

Flanagan: I asked a dermatologist about why some men lose their hair and if going bald is my destiny as well.

Jennifer Chwalek: So, when we say "baldness," we're usually referring to male-pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia. The hair follicle is slowly, over time, becoming smaller and smaller, to the point when it stops producing a full hair. Testosterone is becoming converted to dihydrotestosterone in the hair follicle by an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase, and when it attaches to the androgen receptor in the hair follicle, it causes the follicle to produce a smaller hair.

Flanagan: So, I want to show you my friend Rob here. Rob started losing his hair in his early 20s, and, as you can see, there's little to...well, there's none left. So what is going on with Rob?

Chwalek: Well, Rob has what we call androgenetic alopecia, or male-pattern baldness. This is due to several genes. And some of the genes are early expressing, and some susceptible individuals, they start to lose their hair very young, usually by age 30.

Flanagan: The fact that Rob is bald, does that make him any less virile?

Chwalek: No. So, it's a myth that hair loss or balding is associated with virility in men. Men who go bald don't have abnormal levels of testosterone. It's really that the hair follicle becomes sensitized to the effects of testosterone or androgens, and it starts to create a smaller hair, and eventually it stops producing hair.

Flanagan: So, what role do genetics play, and is it true that baldness is inherited from your mom's side?

Chwalek: The genetics of male-pattern thinning and baldness is complicated. We know that the androgen receptor gene is on the X chromosome, which is inherited from your maternal side, typically. So, there are some studies showing that having a brother who expresses male-pattern baldness might be more predictive than if your father has male-pattern thinning.

Flanagan: Let's talk about me.

Chwalek: Mm-hmm.

Flanagan: I'm 37. I've still got some hair.

Chwalek: Yeah.

Flanagan: But can you tell me what's going on? Am I gonna go bald?

Chwalek: Well, do you have a family history of any thinning?

Flanagan: Yes, I do, on my dad's side. My dad, pretty much bald, his brother is bald. I have a brother who has a very thick head of hair.

Chwalek: Do you think your hair has been thinning?

Flanagan: I think it might be, like, in the front a little bit. I don't really know what's going up top there.

Chwalek: Yeah, maybe a little.

Flanagan: Really?

Chwalek: Maybe a little. So, androgenetic alopecia is actually not an uncommon trait. About 40% of the population has some degree of thinning, usually between the ages of, like, 20 to 40.

Flanagan: My wife, Janet, she really likes my blond hair, and if it were to go, that could be a problem. So, how long do you think I've got to keep some semblance of this?

Chwalek: I think you probably have a while to go. I think you're gonna be OK. The men who tend to go bald-bald tend to do so by age 30, usually.

Flanagan: Based on what you see, my age, what I've described about my family, you don't expect my hair to just fall out in the next, like, five years?

Chwalek: No, it would be unusual, but you may notice, you know, as you get a little bit older, it may continue to thin slightly.

Flanagan: OK, that's a relief. Fantastic. That's great!

Read more:
The reason some men go bald, according to a dermatologist - Business Insider - Business Insider

Credit: Marco Verch, Flickr.Why we need a male contraceptive pill

The introduction of modern contraceptive methods has been revolutionary, not only in terms of sexual freedom but also due to its impact on the very fabric of society. Suddenly, with condoms and the pill readily available, procreation was no longer the primary focus of intercourse.

However, despite tremendous progress, there is still much to do. In the United States, approximately 40% of pregnancies are unplanned.

A wanted child is a happy child. A happy and secure child more often than not grows into a well functioning and adjusted adult. This is why its so important that pregnancy is a choice, for both parents and childrens sake.

In order for this to happen, the burden of responsibility for pregnancy prevention needs to shift from women to family planning. This entails men playing a major role.

The problem is that, historically-speaking, contraception options for men are not very effective or optimal.

The most secure pregnancy prevention method for men is abstinence, something thats so unfeasible most of you reading this article might simply laugh it off (as you should). Even so, there are many organizations in the United States that go to great lengths to preach abstinence until marriage, especially in schools where it sometimes replaces evidence-based sex education.

Condoms are actually great for both preventing unwanted pregnancies and STDs. When used perfectly, they are 98% effective at preventing pregnancies. But since people arent perfect, condoms are about 85% effective. Some couples find them very annoying so they just use unreliable and risky methods like the calendar method or the withdrawal method.

In contrast, vasectomies (basically male sterilization) are almost 100% effective at preventing pregnancy. However, it has the potential to remain permanent and many men are scared of having this kind of surgery.

More than 60 years since the oral contraceptive pill was first introduced for women, it is now time to make the leap and offer a similar option for men, too.

Researchers have experimented with a number of options in the past two decades but an effective oral contraceptive for men has always been difficult to produce due to the rapid metabolization rates of androgynous hormones by the male body. However, scientists are making progress.

At the moment, various research groups are working in parallel to find the male birth control pill that is the most effective and with the fewest side effects. Here are some of the most promising hormonal-based male contraceptives.

Dimethandrolone undecanoate (DMAU) is a pill that is taken daily and affects male fertility by suppressing two types of male hormones follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). This hormonal inhibition decreases the production of testosterone and sperm count without causing symptoms of low testosterone.

In a 2018 study, 82 healthy men aged 15 to 50 received either a daily pill of DMAU in one of three doses for 28 days or a placebo. The study found that those who took the highest dosage (400 mg) had the lowest levels of testosterone, FSH, and LH.

Dimethandrolone is a modified form of testosterone, which has been chemically modified to get rid of the problem of liver toxicity, explained Stephanie Page, a researcher at the University of Washington in Seattle, and the studys lead author.

A long fatty acid chain has been added to another portion of the molecule to increase its absorption in the bloodstream, so we can get around the twice-a-day dosing. Dimethandrolone is different than testosterone in that it binds to both the progesterone receptor and the androgen receptor so we dont need two different steroids in order to have an effective male contraceptive, she added.

This study didnt measure the effectiveness of DMAU as a birth control method due to many ethical constraints. Just imagine a doctor telling you using this pill might or might not result in pregnancy lets just try it and see.

Instead, the studys main objective was that of assessing safety and tolerability. According to the results, there were no clinically significant changes developed in safety laboratory parameters, which supports further testing of DMAU in subsequent studies.

Longer trials are necessary because the body needs up to 90 days to produce sperm.

The DMAU trial reported side effects such as:

The men experienced no hot flashes and no mood changes, and no problems with sexual function compared with the placebo group, Paige said. There was no evidence of liver toxicity. We did see mild weight gain and an increase in cholesterol levels and that may require us to fine tune the dosing, but overall we are very encouraged about the safety profile of dimethandrolone.

Despite these incredibly low levels of testosterone, the men did not have symptoms of low testosterone. Because dimethandrolone is a modified form of testosterone, when we give the right dose of dimethandrolone, all those important secondary sexual characteristics in the man will be maintained in the body, she added.

Its a fairly established fact that the pill for women increases the risk of depression and forming blood clots. Long-term studies following male users over the years will be able to establish if there may be any similar effects.

If DMAU works like the pill developed for women, men will be able to stop taking it and resume sperm production when they feel ready to become fathers.

Ultimately, DMAU could be packed as an injectable version administered monthly so patients wont have to remember to take a daily pill.

More serious side effects were reported by a 2016 study conducted by researchers affiliated with the World Health Organization in Geneva. Their birth control vaccine was administered to 270 monogamous men, aged 18 to 45, and was found to be 97% effective. However, the study had to be cut short due to significant side effects like acne and serious mood disorders. However, its worth noting that 75% of the men who enrolled in the trial said theyd be willing to use this contraceptive measure again.

A 2019 study performed by scientists at the Los Angeles Biomed Research Institute (LA BioMed) in Torrance, California, experimented with a male oral contraceptive called 11-beta-methyl-19-nortestosterone dodecylcarbonate or 11-beta-MNTDC for short which is a sister compound of DMAU. The study involved 40 healthy men, out of whom 10 received a placebo, 14 received a dose of 200 milligrams (mg), and 16 got a double dose of 400 mg. The pill was taken daily with food.

Like DMAU, 11-beta-MNTDC works by reducing circulating testosterone levels as well as two other hormones required for sperm production. Both doses of the pill were successful in reducing these hormones compared to the placebo, and the effects were reversible after the treatment was stopped, normal levels were observed once again.

Compared to other male birth control pills, the side effects were pretty mild. Five men reported slightly decreased sex drive, and two men described mild erectile dysfunction. Overall, the participants maintained a healthy libido.

Other groups taken alternate routes. Instead of trying to suppress sperm production, researchers at Monash University in Australia have focused on halting sperm ejaculation altogether.

Sperm is produced inside the testicles and then stored in a coiled tube called the epididymis. During ejaculation, smooth muscles contract and propel the sperm out the epididymis through a tube called the vas deferens, then into the urethra from which it is finally expelled. Muscle contraction is signaled by certain hormones which attach themselves to two receptors: 1A-adrenoceptors and P2X1-purinoceptors.

A 2013 study on mice by the researchers at Monash found that genetic modifications blocking these two receptors prevented male mice from inseminating females. Because the vas deferens is located outside the blood-testicle barrier, this also means drugs that target these receptors could be administered orally.

While most groups are trying to find an oral contraceptive or vaccine, researchers at the University of Edinburgh have developed a hormone gel. A male user simply has to rub a bit of gel on the shoulder and pectoral area, leave it to dry for three to four seconds, then get dressed and go about his day.

The gel is a mixture of progesterone and testosterone. The progesterone switches off sperm production in the testes. Testosterone is added to compensate for the decrease caused by progesterone. Usually, artificial testosterone is rapidly metabolized by the body. By delivering testosterone in a gel form, the blood levels of the hormone will be adequate for a longer time, thanks to the slowtransdermalabsorption.

At the moment, the gel is being trialed by more than 450 couples around the world with preliminary results expected to appear by the end of 2020. Dr. John Reynolds-Wright, who is leading the study, hopes the gel will match the pills effectiveness rate of 97 to 99%.

According to Christina Wang from the Los Angeles Biomed Research Institute, a safe, reversible hormonal male contraception should be available in about 10 years. She goes on to add that 55% of men in stable relationships would at least try this type of contraceptive. That being said, you cannot buy male birth control pills and anyone claiming to sell them online is a scam.

Just like the female version, a male birth control pill will not protect users from STDs. This is why it is still important to use condoms in order to prevent sexually transmitted infections.

Visit link:
Male birth control pills are around the corner. Heres how they work - ZME Science

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