Androgel and erection problems

[photoglenn (imported)]

I have not been able to get an erection, after castration, even though I am using the Androgel as prescribed.

And I have seen that others are able to get erections after castration while using Androgel.

So, this has been a big source of irritation and frustration to me.

FINALLY I found a study as titled above that explains that many men who use Androgel have erection problems.

Not that this makes me pleased, but at least I know that I am not the only one and will just have to live with it.

In an odd sort of way it does make life a little less complicated, but sure takes away from the fun.

What about you?

[JustMe (imported)]

I’m on day 5 on androgel, I haven’t had an erection yet. Not even in the morning when I have strong urge to pee.

The patches I have been prescribed are 50mg. Strong.

[photoglenn (imported)]

search the web for "Androgel and erection problems" many studies have been done on thousands of men and many can not get erections. I am using the gel, not a patch, maybe talk to your MD and see about injectable TRT

[photoglenn (imported)]

Since Androgel is not helping me get an erection, but seems to cause me emotional upset and anxiety and stress, I have decided to just stop using the TRT, and live life as a natural eunuch.

I will increase my calcium supplements, and do more exercise, and eat healthier, but in the long run, I feel I will be much better off emotionally by not using the testosterone replacement than using it.

I found in the past that when I stopped using it for a month, I felt emotionally much better than when I was using it.

Of course we each have our own chemistry, so what I experience can not be anything like others may experience.

It is difficult to express in words how I seem to feel acute trauma even after five years of being castrated.

The feelings of trauma went away when I was no longer using testosterone replacement, and I had no more feelings of great loss over being castrated.

The physical side effects of stopping testosterone replacement are a slight risk, but I feel they are a bigger risk emotionally and physically by continuing to use the testosterone replacement

[Prudence (imported)]

Could be something other than Testosterone. For example, issues with blood sugar (diabetes), blood pressure (especially high blood pressure), depression, high cholesterol, being overweight, smoking -- all of these can cause problems with, or lack of, erections.

Might be you had an issue with one of these other things, but with T it was enough to overcome it. Now, without T, the other issue(s) are enough to stop erections completely.

Here are two sites with some info on this:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/ ... ysfunction

https://urologyaustin.com/ed-vs-low-tdo ... ifference/

For more try a google search for: ed causes other than low testosterone

(or some similar phrase)

[Beekeeper (imported)]

I am one of those using Androgel (2 pumps daily) with no erection's problem. However, I also take Cialis 5mg. low dose daily. If I stop taking Cialis, I get no erections no matter what I do. I told my Urologist this and he was not surprised, he did not elaborate as to why. I was castrated a year and half ago and love it. You might give Cialis a try.

[JessicaH (imported)]

Ask your doctor to test estrodiol/e2 levels. Your body needs e2 for libido/erections and e2 is made from testosterone. You may need a different formulation of T or just more of it. Also, “normal” is a range when it comes to hormones and your body may need to be at the high end of “normal”.

[Charmidès (imported)]

have u had any blood tests done? its hard to say exactly what the issue is without any numbers. u could be taking too little testosterone, but sometimes the problem is that u could be taking too much. id second getting an e2 test but really u should probably get a full hormone panel done including SHBG and DHT since too much of the former and too little of the latter can indicate a number of issues that cause this

[sftineun (imported)]

I have been on one pump of Androgel a day for 4~5 years or so. It was to help manage my osteopenia. But it also helps giving me more energy, less fatigue and less depression. As such, you might want to talk to your doctor before just stopping Androgel.

Even when I up the Androgel to 2 to 3 pumps a day, I still have ED. It might get bigger when stimulated. But it is definitely not hard. I need Viagra to get a hard on, and it is still not hard and sustained long enough for penetration.

In short, you are not alone regarding ED, even with Androgel. However, being castrated and without TRT, you need to watch out for osteoporosis (which develops quietly until you convince your doctor and insurance to get a bone density scan), anemia and depression. Work with your doctor on what alternatives to help you manage your bone and mental health.

[erikboy (imported)]

Male endocrine system is much more complicated than just testosterone. Long time ago I did research on male reproductive endocrine system, but I have forgot many details since. But, to be short, there are little known precursors of testosterone and other stuff that facilitate erections. There are other less noticeable functions that might stop to work without testicles and on pure testosterone.

I don't know if there is any relation, but some men loose ability to get erection after loosing testicles, while some do not. It might be genetic feature. As myself, I remember that I was able to get hard and masturbate to orgasm long before puberty, since I was 8yo, when I discovered masturbation. And during my chemcastration periods I still could get it up and have orgasms, even when my T dropped to 17ng/dl. The only difference was frequency that dropped from twice a day to few times a month and time to orgasm, from few minutes to 20-30 minutes.