Type 2 Diabetes and Low Testosterone: The Link Men Should Know About
Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance are associated with lower testosterone levels in men with a 30–50% prevalence of low testosterone (secondary hypogonadism) in diabetic men. The relationship is bidirectional: metabolic dysfunction lowers testosterone, and low testosterone can worsen body composition and insulin resistance. Men with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop low […]
Best Time to Start Hormone Replacement Therapy After Menopause
Knowing when to start HRT after menopause is important because the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy can vary depending on age, and time since onset of menopause. Menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) offers meaningful relief from symptoms of hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, depression, cognitive dysfunction and vaginal dryness. The health benefits of […]
Vaginal Estrogen for Cancer Survivors: Is It Ever Safe?
One of the more disturbing symptoms of menopausal estrogen deficiency is vaginal dryness related to vaginal atrophy. Why does this happen? This is directly caused by menopausal estrogen deficiency. Good estrogen levels are required to maintain the integrity of the vaginal mucosa. Menopause specialist Dr. Louise Newson, based in the U.K., argues that local vaginal […]
Managing Hot Flashes After Cancer Treatment Without Traditional HRT
Finishing cancer treatment is supposed to feel like the hard part is over. Then the sweating starts, the sheets get soaked at 3 a.m., and you realize nobody warned you about this. For many breast cancer survivors, estrogen therapy is off the table because the oncologist emphatically advises against it. That leaves breast cancer survivors […]
Can Men on Prostate Cancer Treatment Use Testosterone Therapy Safely?
Testosterone therapy after prostate cancer may be an option for some men, but it is not safe or appropriate in every case. Men still undergoing treatment for prostate cancer are not good candidates for testosterone therapy. However, men who have been successfully treated for prostate cancer and still have symptoms of low testosterone may be […]
Metformin and Hormone Therapy: What to Know Before Combining Them
Metformin and hormone therapy are often prescribed for different reasons. A woman may take metformin for insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and later decide to start menopausal hormone therapy. A man with low testosterone may also need metformin for type 2 diabetes. Metformin and estrogen or testosterone therapy can be used together. They […]
Diabetic Neuropathy and Testosterone: What the Link Is—and Is Not
Men with type 2 diabetes are more likely than other men to have low testosterone, and they are also more likely to develop nerve and blood-vessel damage that affects sexual function. These problems can produce overlapping symptoms, but they are not the same condition and they are not treated the same way. It is well […]
Continuous Glucose Monitors: Are They Worth It If You’re Not Diabetic?
A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) tracks blood sugar in real time through a small sensor worn on the skin. This is a nifty gadget for diabetics who need to check their blood sugar before and after meals. What about non-diabetics who have normal blood sugar and no diagnosis of diabetes or prediabetes? Should non-diabetics also […]
PCOS and Insulin Resistance: Breaking the Hormone-Diabetes Cycle
What is PCOS? A metabolic disorder called insulin resistance is commonly seen in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the main abnormality in PCOS syndrome is anovulation, elevated testosterone and insulin resistance. The pancreas compensates by producing more insulin to help regulate blood glucose. These elevated insulin levels can affect ovarian function and stimulate increased testosterone […]
How Hypothyroidism Affects Blood Sugar Control
Patients with hypothyroidism may have a blood sugar problem. This includes people with thyroid disease who also have prediabetes, or diabetes. An underactive thyroid affects how the body uses energy, responds to insulin, and processes blood sugar (glucose). Hypothyroidism slows down your overall metabolism, making diabetes more difficult to manage. If you are diabetic, you […]