Men's Health Compounding Specialists

Erectile Dysfunction

What is it and treatment options

Erectile Dysfunction also called impotence, is the inability to develop or sustain an erection satisfactory for sexual intercourse. Though Prostate Cancer is not a cause of Erectile Dysfunction, treatments for the disease can cause the problem.

• Surgery: to remove the entire prostate gland.
• Radiation therapy: whether by external beam or radioactive seed implants, and Cryosurgery (freezing cancerous tissue).

How is Erectile Dysfunction treated

One form of treatment is injection of medication prior to intercourse (called intracavernous injection therapy), or Tri-Mix injectable. Tri-mix is composed of 3 drugs, alprostadil (the naturally occurring form of prostaglandin), papaverine hydrochloride and phentolamine mesylate.

How to prescribe Tri-mix for your patient

We have a base or original formulation of Tri-Mix, however we can customize the strength for your patient. The base formulation is as follows: Phentolamine mesylate 2.5mg/4.5ml Papaverine Hcl 75 mg/4.5ml PGE-1 (prostaglandin) 25 mcg/4.5ml Tri-mix has long been recognized as being quite effective for erectile dysfunction. Studies indicate that 86% of patients achieve a positive therapeutic result.

Andropause

What is it and treatment options

While menopause is a condition that many people are familiar with, there is a condition that affects approximately 20% of men between the ages of 60 and 80 that has a similar presentation to menopause, but is much less talked about. This condition is known by such names as andropause, male climacteric, viropause, or low-testosterone syndrome. As in menopause, the male’s hormone levels will fall and he will begin to experience negative effects due to these changes. The difference between the male and female experience lies in the fact that a women’s hormonal changes occur very quickly, whereas the man’s levels change gradually. It is this gradual change that makes men think that they are just experiencing symptoms that are necessary parts of aging, and often the connection between the falling testosterone levels and their symptoms is not made.

Complicating Factors

• Hormone imbalances common to andropause can add to the total decline.
• Excess Estrogen Increases SHBG proteins that bind-up available testosterone
• Activates an enzyme in fat cells that changes testosterone into more estrogen
• An excess of Cortisol (stress hormone)
• Inhibits testosterone/DHEA
• Breaks down bone and muscle
• Blocks thyroid function
• Zaps sex drive

How to prescribe Testosterone gel, cream or capsules

Columbine Drug compounds topical Testosterone Gel, cream or capsules. Testosterone provides cardiovascular protection by lowering cholesterol, increasing calcium retention and perhaps more importantly for the patient, enhances libido. For women the typical strength is 1-2 mg/gram and can be increased if needed. For men the typical strength is 5%/gram and also can be increased of decreased if needed.

Symptoms of Andropause

• Fatigue, Hot flashes, Sleep disturbances
• Headaches, Depressed, Anxious, Nervous
• Decreased Libido, Decreased Stamina
• Erectile Dysfunction, Prostate problems
• Decreased urine flow
• Increased urinary urge
• Premature aging
• Thinning/sagging skin
• Insulin resistance
• Night sweats
• Mood swings
• Stress
• Abdominal fat
• Decreased strength
• Decreased mental sharpness
• Elevated triglycerides
• Bone loss
• Decreased muscle mass
• Memory lapses
• Decreased exercise capacity
• Decreased beard
• Thinning hair
• Breast enlargement
• Irritable

Ask your healthcare provider about blood spot testing or saliva testing for confirmation of symptoms of andropause and detection of hormonal imbalance