Low Testosterone and Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) can be caused by physical and/or emotional factors. It has been estimated that ED affects up to 30 million men in the United States, with an estimated 52% of those men being between 40 and 70 years of age.
You may be at an increased risk of having low testosterone
Low testosterone may affect your sexual desire and performance. According to a recent study, almost 1 out of 5 men with ED had low testosterone. Low testosterone is often associated with a loss of sexual desire, as well as a number of other symptoms:
Clinical practice guidelines indicate that men with erectile dysfunction who experience symptoms suggestive of low testosterone may need to have their testosterone levels measured. Increasing testosterone levels to normal and maintaining those levels with continued daily use of Testim has been shown to lead to a number of positive changes.
Symptom improvement with continued daily use
Ask your doctor about low testosterone
If you have symptoms of low testosterone, a complete medical exam and blood test can determine if your testosterone levels are low. If you do have low testosterone, you and your doctor can discuss whether a once-daily treatment like Testim could help.
Learn more about how Testim can help »
Indication
Testim 1% (testosterone gel) is a prescription medicine that contains testosterone. Testim is used to treat adult males who have low or no testosterone.
Important Safety Information
What is the most important information I should know about Testim? Signs of puberty that are not expected (for example, pubic hair) have happened in young children who were accidentally exposed to testosterone through contact with men using Testim.
Testim can transfer from your body to others. This can happen if other people come into contact with the area where the Testim was applied to your skin.
- Women and children should avoid contact with the unwashed or unclothed area where Testim has been applied
- To lower the risk of transfer of Testim from your body to others, you should: wash your hands right away with soap and water after applying Testim and cover the application area with clothing after the gel has dried. If you expect to have skin-to-skin contact with another person, first wash the application area well with soap and water
Stop using Testim and call your doctor right away if you see any signs and symptoms of puberty in a child, or changes in body hair or increased acne in a woman, that may have occurred through accidental exposure to Testim.
Do not use Testim if you: have breast cancer; have or might have prostate cancer; are allergic to testosterone or any of the ingredients in Testim, including soy.
Testim is not meant for use in women. If you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breast-feeding, Testim may harm your unborn or breast-feeding baby. Women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should avoid contact with the area where Testim has been applied.
Other serious side effects include the following:
- If you already have enlargement of your prostate gland, your signs and symptoms can get worse while using Testim
- Possible increased risk of prostate cancer
- In large doses, Testim may lower your sperm count
- Swelling of your ankles, feet, or body, with or without heart failure. This may cause serious problems for people who have heart, kidney, or liver disease
- Enlarged or painful breasts
- Having problems breathing while you sleep (sleep apnea)
- Blood clots in the legs. This can include pain, swelling, or redness of your legs
The most common side effects of Testim include: skin irritation where Testim is applied, increased red blood cell count, headache, and increased blood pressure.
Please see Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.