From a psychological viewpoint, I would think that anyone that feels so strongly and goes to such great lengths to disavow the natural process of aging - a process, by the way, that is going to get us ALL, sooner or later - is going to be hit all the harder when their time comes, much harder than someone who has led a "natural" life.
Because, let's face it - replacing hormones that you lose due to aging is NOT natural. Looked at from a certain perspective, you are cheating the house ... and the house ALWAYS wins.
I can understand a certain zest for life, a willingness to go the extra mile when it comes to healthy lifestyle. Diet and nutrition, supplements and vitamins, exercise, avoiding excesses of all kinds, regular medical check - ups - that's great, that's what anyone who wants to remain in peak physical health should do.
But by spitting in the face of natural aging one plays a dangerous game. The way I see it, Cenegenics has one ace in the hole, and that is their hormone replacement therapy. All the other stuff - the nutritional guidance, the exercise, the testing - you could accomplish on your own. But it's admittedly difficult to get your hands on what is normally illegal substances such as HGH for the purposes of "anti-aging", and their ability to slow the aging process is highly questionable.
One needs to consider these pros and cons when evaluating testosterone therapy:
Potential benefits
* Improve muscle mass and strength
* Increase bone mineral density
* Thicken body hair and skin
* Improve sexual desire
* Boost energy
* Decrease irritability and depression
* Improve cognitive function
Potential risks
* Cause skin reactions
* Cause fluid retention
* Cause baldness
* Cause or aggravate sleep apnea
* Stimulate noncancerous growth of the prostate and cause or worsen urinary symptoms
* Stimulate growth of prostate cancer that's already present
* Enlarge breasts
* Stimulate growth of breast cancer that's already present
* Cause testicle shrinkage
* Limit sperm production
* Stimulate excess blood production
* Cause acne
Again, mainly from a philosophical point of view but acknowledging all the potential physical drawbacks, trying to ignore natural aging by partaking in a regimen that is questionable at best and not fully understood is something we do at our own risk.
What you're really saying is that you're ok with getting old and fat, and you really don't like it when other people decide that's not how they want to go. you've never done an ounce of research on testosterone therapy. None. Most of the risks you listed are actually things that are controlled when you go to a reputable clinic to replace Testosterone.
Allow me to address each of these "risks":
*Cause skin reactions ----LOL, what? Any idea what this means?
* Cause fluid retention ----BS. You get leaner. Fluid retention may or may not happen in the first month, then its over
* Cause baldness ------ Maybe, if you're already prone to male pattern baldness.
* Cause or aggravate sleep apnea-----Total BS. There's no evidence to support this. If anything, your sleep pattern improves.
* Stimulate noncancerous growth of the prostate and cause or worsen urinary symptoms -------Possibly, but then regular blood tests from your clinic will tell you if your PSA is increasing, or if your kidneys are having an issue. BTW, guys who carry more muscle, tend to have a higher creatinine level in their blood. Just a fact
* Stimulate growth of prostate cancer that's already present --------Same. That's why monitoring and bloodwork are done on a regular basis
* Enlarge breasts -----Yes, if you're the type of f'ing idiot to take testosterone without an estrogen blocker. Anastrozole comes to mind. Its usually given out as part of your therapy at reputable clinics. Mind you, your doctors that are prescribing the gels, will never address this. Thanks, medical field.
* Stimulate growth of breast cancer that's already present.....This is utter BS, with no supporting evidence. This one was thought up as a scare tactic by the medical field. And if you're a guy with breasts, the most likely reason for that is low T and obesity. Maybe you wouldn't have breast cancer if you didn't have breasts.
* Cause testicle shrinkage -------Testicle shrinkage does happen, unless of course, you're taking a product to cause your body to naturally produce testosterone, as an offset. HCG is the most commonly used for this. The amount used varies on the individual and will be adjusted over the course of the whole therapy. Again, this is something a doctor prescribing that useless gel will never address.
* Limit sperm production ------^^^^^See HCG, which will offset any kind of sperm production issue. Might I add, that if you have low T, you don't have any sperm production in the first place, so this side effect is essentially BS too.
* Stimulate excess blood production ----- "Blood thickening" as its called. Testosterone causes the increased production of red blood cells. Giving blood every 3 months keeps this in check. So if you're squeamish about giving blood or can't, this may be the one thing to prevent you from taking Testosterone. Once the blood gets too thick, you're susceptible to heart attack or stroke. Giving blood is just common sense. Again, if you're getting testosterone gel from a family doctor, this will never come up.
* Cause acne -------- Really? I always wondered why my skin was bad when I was young. Who knew?
If acne becomes an issue, your doctor may change you over to Cypionate in grapeseed oil as a base, that will pretty much halt the acne. But there's also other skin treatments, such as antibiotics that will knock it out. Acne is minor compared to having your energy and youthfulness.
the one thing in the benefits that you didn't mention, was the halting of depression. Which it does quite well, but doctors won't tell you that, there's no money in it. If they can wire you up on a variety of anti-depressants, they'll do it.
Where's all the concern when women go on HRT? I didn't see a national uprising against it for women. I didn't see 30 studies coming out and telling women "just get old and enjoy it". Did I miss that campaign? Yes, I did, cause it didn't happen. So forgive me if I go ahead and do what I need to and make myself feel whole.
Whether or not you do Cenegenics, or make an appointment at a male clinic, I invite you to do so with an open mind. Could be the best thing you ever did. It certainly has been for me, and I've been on testosterone injections for 2 years. Could not be happier. Lastly, if you think you're going to do all this stuff without a strenuous exercise regimen, then you're wasting your money, your time, and your life. Hormones are only part of it. Get your mind right, and get your ass in the gym.
