Wellness Exchange: Health Discussions
"Young Men Turning to Testosterone for New Strength"
(upbeat music) - Welcome to Listen To, this is Ted. The news was published on Saturday, October 26. Today we're diving into the topic of testosterone therapy and emerging trend among young men. Joining me are our guests, Eric and Kate. Let's get right into it. So can you both explain why testosterone therapy is booming among young men and what impact it's having on society? - Sure, Ted. So a lot of young men are dealing with low energy levels and that's a massive red flag for them. They start searching for answers and bam, they hear about these treatments. The numbers don't lie either. Testosterone therapy prescriptions jumped by 20% from 2016 to 2019. These clinics offer a solution, a way to say goodbye to those sluggish feelings. - It's not that simple. - These clinics are playing on men's insecurities, making it seem like testosterone is a magic fix. They target men who often don't even need it. Healthy guys get roped into expensive, possibly useless treatments because they're sold this idea that their manliness-- - But when men start feeling better with the therapy, more energy, better muscle mass, all that jazz, can you really-- - The issue is they're often misled. Clinics make it seem like dramatic results are guaranteed for minor dips in testosterone levels. They don't always talk about the potential side effects, like infertility. - We've got studies showing that about 20% of young men have low testosterone. Shouldn't they have access to treatments that could help them improve their quality life? - The problem is this whole drive to optimize. It's like everyone is trying to hit some impossible gold standard of health. Meanwhile, basic stuff like diet and exercise is glossed over. Clinics make it seem like TRT is a necessity, when in reality, it's often not. For many men, it's about improving their quality of life. Take Cade, who started TRT and saw huge improvements in his mood and physical condition. These are real benefits for them. - But what's the long-term cost here? Hair loss, acne, sleep issues, the side effects can get pretty severe. Plus, TRT is often a lifelong commitment, and that can be a financial strength. - Another point worth discussing is the rise of telehealth clinics. How have these played into the promotion of testosterone therapy? - Telehealth clinics definitely make it way too easy to start these treatments without proper medical evaluations. It's all about progress. - They do offer convenience and accessibility, though, especially during times like the pandemic. More men can get the treatment they might otherwise avoid because of the hassle of going to a physical clinic. - But what about the ethical cost? Studies have shown that telehealth clinics often prescribe these treatments without taking necessary precautions. - It democratizes healthcare access. For some men, this can be life-changing. - Isn't making healthcare more accessible a good thing? - Now let's clarify some of the jargon for our listeners. Can you both explain terms like hypogonatal and testosterone replacement therapy? - Absolutely. Hypogonatal means your body is producing low or no hormones, which can be quite debilitating. Testosterone replacement therapy or TRT is where you supplement testosterone through injections or patches to bring your levels back up. - But it's not that straightforward. Testosterone levels naturally fluctuate throughout the day and life. Introducing external testosterone isn't always necessary. - Let's take a historical perspective. How have treatments for male hormones evolved? And why is understanding this history important today? - Well, back in the late 1800s, Charles Eduard Brown Secar famously injected himself with fluids from animal testicles, thinking it would rejuvenate him. He experienced a placebo effect that fooled a lot of people into believing-- - Well, come on, that's ancient history. Modern science has taken huge leaps. TRT today is about using measurable data and real benefits, not just whimsical experiments. - True. But it shows our obsession with male vitality is a longstanding one. The core issue persists, seeking magic pills instead of addressing root health. - Look at Viagra when it became generic in 2017. Clinics offering male treatments boomed. Testosterone was just the next logical step for them. - And yet it's the same game. A drug promoted as a cure-all. Men are told testosterone will solve a plethora of issues that are often exaggerated or normal physiological-- - With good reason, though, Viagra worked for many. Likewise, TRT can seriously improve some men's lives, helping them regain energy and health. - But the commercialization of men's health is extreme. The rise of telehealth and direct-to-consumer clinics has pushed it to-- - Speaking of historical influences, how did the early 2000s anti-aging clinics set the stage for today's TRT clinics? - Anti-aging clinics focused heavily on hormone therapy, showing it could significantly improve quality of life. They laid the groundwork for today's TRT by proving that hormone treatments could be beneficial. - But these clinics weren't always thoroughly vetted. They created an environment with loose regulations, which today's TRT clinics are definitely-- - Agreed, but they also showed men's health wasn't to be ignored. Today's clinics build on that refining and improving the methods of-- - A lot of early clinics faced legal issues for making unfounded claims. Today's TRT industry walks a similarly thin line. - Balancing historical optimism with caution is tricky. How should we view this balance? - History tells us to be cautious. Treatments need to be based on solid science and not just-- - Optimism doesn't hurt when people are genuinely benefiting. We need to learn from the past to improve treatment options, not fear-- - Now let's shift to the future. What could be the potential outcomes if this trend continues among young men? - Optimistically speaking, we could see better health awareness among men. More guys might take control over their well-being, leading to improved mental and physical health. - Or it could make men overly reliant on medication. We could see unforeseen health issues crop up and create a culture dependent on pharmaceuticals-- - Awareness doesn't automatically mean dependency. Education will ensure men make informed decisions. For many, the benefits significantly-- - But who decides what's informed? Clinics often prioritize profits and push treatments with-- - What about the long-term societal impacts? - If this trend continues, we risk normalizing pharmaceuticals as the default for natural physiological changes. It could shift focus away from holistic approaches to health. - If societal acceptance grows, we might see a reduction in stigma around male health issues, much like what happened with mental health-- - But isn't that narrowing the definition of masculinity even further? - It could make the cultural ideal of manhood more-- - Men addressing their health should be a point of celebration, not ridicule. It might help break from traditional stoic machismo. - Let's debate specific future scenarios. Kate, what concerns you the most? - Without stringent regulation, we'll likely see more young men experiencing adverse effects, misled by aggressive marketing. - Regulation is crucial, sure, but self-regulation through increased awareness will also naturally develop. The market will adapt as it works. - History hasn't exactly shown that. Clinics see opportunities to profit massively and often bypass-- - With more data and scientific advancements, a balanced approach ensuring both accessibility and safety-- - How should we prepare society for these potential consequences? - Promoting balanced, well-informed choices is the key. Men need to understand both the benefits and risks of TRT. - Strict regulations and public health campaigns focusing on natural health solutions should come before embracing-- - A mixed approach, combining regulation with education will be most effective, ensuring men can make informed and safe decisions. - And health should always take priority-- - That's all for today. Thanks to Eric and Kate for this spirited discussion, and thanks to our listeners for tuning in to listen to.