Evaluating TRT vs. Cialis for Men’s Health

Testosterone replacement therapy, or TRT, and Cialis, or Tadalafil, are both treatment plans used in men’s health care.  They sometimes serve different purposes, and they can have different effects; however, when used wisely and with supervision, they can also complement each other.  TRT is used to treat low testosterone levels.  Low testosterone levels can be due to certain medical conditions or can simply be due to the natural aging process.  A male’s level of testosterone usually peaks at age 20, and then those testosterone levels slowly decline as he ages.

Testosterone is a vital hormone and is needed for muscle mass and strength,  bone density, fat distribution, red blood cell production,  energy production, mental clarity, sex drive, and sperm production.   Normal testosterone levels also promote strong vascular function.  Low testosterone levels lead to poor arterial function and an impaired vascular response to stimulus.  This helps creates a situation which causes a reduced sex drive or an inability to either get or maintain an erection.  This sexual problem is only one of the many symptoms of low testosterone levels.  With TRT, many men report rapid improvements in their sex drive and erections.  They see positive results after only 3-6 weeks of treatment.

Men undergoing TRT say that they feel strongly that it is the TRT which gives their libido and sexual health a huge boost. They say that TRT not only gives them more energy, but that TRT is responsible for their ability to maintain better erections and their ability to achieve a greater frequency of morning erections.  However, while many men using TRT report improvements in their erections, some men become impatient with the process and feel that they need additional help.  After discussing the situation with their medical specialists, many of these men will seek  additional help from erectile dysfunction drugs, such as Cialis.

Cialis belongs to a class of drugs called selective PDE5 inhibitors.  PDE5 inhibitors are medications which block an enzyme which controls the size of those blood vessels that supply the penis, as well as, supply other parts of the body.  Cialis is considered a long-lasting PDE5 inhibitor because it can provide up to 36 hour of erectile dysfunction relief in a single dose.  Cialis, approved by the FDA in 2003, works by relaxing those blood vessels that are supplying blood to the penis.  When the blood vessels are less constricted, they can allow an increase in blood flow.  It is this increased blood flow which improves erections.

Drugs like Cialis are used to treat erectile dysfunction along with some other conditions, such as  benign prostate hyperplasia with lower urinary tract symptoms and pulmonary hypertension.  Because these medications increase blood flow,  PDE5 inhibitors may have some definite benefits for cardiovascular health and circulation; however, more research is being done to assess their effects on the brain and male cognitive function.  The three other types of PDE5 inhibitors are sildenafil or Viagra, vardenafil or Levitra and Staxyn, and avanafil or Stendra.

A small percentage of men may experience discomfort from potential effects associated with these medicines.  Side effects from PDE5 inhibitors might include stomach aches, headaches, back and muscle pain, flushing, and, or dizziness.  Individuals suffering with certain medical conditions should probably avoid using medications, like Cialis. Caution should be used when taking PDE5 inhibitors, especially if you have heart disease,  kidney disease, or liver disease.  Since certain medications can also negatively interact with PDE5 inhibitors, be sure your healthcare specialist is familiar with all over the counter and prescriptions medicines you take.  These PDE5 medications should only be used with medical supervision.

Some men have found that Cialis works even when their testosterone levels are low.  Other men report that Cialis doesn’t help with erections  and they blame low testosterone for their lack of success.  These men say that once their testosterone levels are no longer low because they have been on testosterone replacement therapy that it is only then that they see a substantial difference in their sexual lives when adding Cialis to the mix.  They feel their success with Cialis is partially dependent on their success with TRT and is due to testosterone therapy’s positive effect on improving  their testosterone levels.  Other than seeing an improved response to Cialis, most men using both TRT and Cialis do not complain about any major issues or persistent side effects with the use of this PDE5 inhibitor.

When looking at these two therapies, it’s easy to see that the question is not about an either-or situation.  As long as there are no underlying issues that make Cialis a reckless choice, many men feel that these two forms of treatment can complement each other.

 

How Androgenix Can Help

If you wonder whether testosterone therapy might be right for you or wonder if Cialis could benefit you, then schedule an appointment and speak with our staff and doctor about any risks and benefits. If you are suffering from any of the above symptoms or have any other concerns about your health, please contact our office and make an appointment with our staff to visit our office for blood work and a physical examination.  No matter which treatment plan you choose, you will be monitored on a regular basis by our team for treatment effectiveness and side effects. The team at Androgenix are here to support you in your journey for a better, healthier you. Our staff of caring healthcare practitioners will help diagnose and develop an appropriate treatment plan for you.  We believe that every person who enters our doors is treated as an individual deserving of care and respect.  We can help you feel and look better.  Give us a call today.

 

 

 

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*Unless otherwise stated, individual results may vary depending on many factors not all patients “feel” or achieve the same results.