Your opinions please!

[paring (imported)]

I have started to use anti androgen at 42 y.o, at 50y.o. I had to quit because of unbearable side effects. In 2004, my doctor suggested me to use Testosterone Replacement Therapy. At my last visit, last fall, same doctor suggested to quit TRT. There is no medical reason for me to quit, my PSA level is same as a teenager. I told him that I wasn't ready for that. My next appointment is at the end of may. I expect him to ask me again to quit. I'm doing fine as it is, I'm not totally opposed to quit, I'm turning 60 this summer, I've no partner, I rarely have sex anymore and when I do I act as bottom, so losing my libido and becoming impotent don't scare me so much. I'm more afraid of sides effects to come back. I'd like to have the opinions of members who have quitted TRT after many years for no medical reasons. How did you feel? Was it better or worse for you? Did you feel the castration side effects again? Have you returned to TRT after some time off? Give me your opinions. Thanks!

[Wolf-Pup (imported)]

Why does he want you to quit??

[Milkman (imported)]

Maybe you should see another doctor. There seems to be a trend in medicine that immediate harm is worth benefits in the long term. I have been having a similar discussion about blood pressure medication, one of which sent me to the hospital last year due to low potassium levels, but my old MD wanted me to continue on the same medication!! I switched doctors!! Too often MD's focus on a single risk factor without looking at side effects and quality of life issues.

Why does he want you to quit??

[paring (imported)]

I'm not sure why he wants me to quit. I believe that he is afraid that I may develop prostate cancer some time in the future, some doctor don't mind TRT, while some others are more conservative and don't want to mess with nature. If you follow this logic then why should we cure cancer? When I see him I'll certainly ask him why.

[Wolf-Pup (imported)]

Yeah, without knowing a reason why, its hard to make an educated decision. The male body need Testosterone and it doesn't cause prostate cancer. If you have an enlarged prostate or troubles with it, then that would be a reason as would prostate cancer. Depriving the body of it as a prostate cancer prevention method doesn't make sense.

[ballsgone09 (imported)]

My doctor stopped my TRT a while back because my PSA tests the last several times had skyrocketed. and with my family history he thought it best because if there was cancer the testosterone would feed it.

[paring (imported)]

That I could understand if this was my case but every time I have been tested for PSA, the last 9 years, it remains the same result "teenager's level" (0.5). the first time I've been tested before to start TRT my PSA was at 1,5. There are many other causes for prostate cancer, the lack of vitamin D, obesity and lately, researchers say this is caused by too much female hormones in the environment (air, water and food), the last one is also one of the causes of male infertility. In the pass few decades, sperm count dropped by 50%. All cancers are inflammations, obesity leads to inflammation, low testosterone leads to obesity, depression and also arthritis, arthritis is inflammation. Depression may trigger cancer by lowering your immune system. It may seem complicated but all what I have mentioned are closely related. So I am very careful of what I eat, I lost 50 pounds, I used anti inflammatory and anti depressants medications, TRT and vitamin D to avoid cancer. It took me 10 years to get back in shape, I certainly don't want to waist everything.