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How Low Testosterone Affects Your Health and Quality of Life

Posted on by Gerard Pregenzer, M.D. in

Testosterone plays a vital role in the body, impacting everything from bone density and muscle mass to mood and energy levels. While it’s commonly associated with men’s health, testosterone is essential for both males and females.

When testosterone levels drop—a condition often referred to as Low T—it can have significant physical, emotional, and social impacts, affecting overall life quality. Let’s explore how low testosterone affects your health, the symptoms to watch for, and available treatment options.

The Role of Testosterone in the Body

Testosterone is a hormone produced primarily in the testes in men and the ovaries and adrenal glands in women. It regulates key functions, including:

  • Development of muscle mass and strength
  • Maintenance of bone density
  • Red blood cell production
  • Fat distribution
  • Libido and sexual function
  • Mood and cognitive performance

Optimal testosterone levels help maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. When levels decline, either due to aging or medical conditions, the effects can be profound.

Common Symptoms of Low Testosterone

Low testosterone can manifest in various ways, including:

  • Physical Symptoms: Fatigue, reduced muscle mass, increased body fat, and decreased bone density.
  • Emotional Symptoms: Irritability, depression, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating.
  • Sexual Symptoms: Reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, and decreased sexual satisfaction.

These symptoms can lead to a diminished sense of well-being, affecting confidence, motivation, and social relationships.

How Low Testosterone Impacts Health

Low-T affects many aspects of health, including:

  • Muscle Mass and Strength: Testosterone plays a key role in maintaining muscle mass. Low T can lead to muscle loss and reduced strength, making physical activity and daily tasks more challenging.
  • Bone Density: Low testosterone contributes to reduced bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures, particularly in older adults.
  • Cardiovascular Health: Studies suggest that low testosterone levels may be linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Maintaining healthy testosterone levels can support heart health and circulation.
  • Mood and Cognitive Function: Low T can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, and brain fog, significantly impacting mental health and daily functioning.

Treatment Options for Low Testosterone

Fortunately, Low T can be managed effectively with the right treatment plan. Options include:

  • Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT): TRT involves administering testosterone via injections, gels, patches, or pellets to restore hormone levels. This treatment can improve energy, mood, libido, and muscle mass while reducing symptoms like fatigue and depression.
  • Lifestyle Changes: Adopting a healthy lifestyle can naturally boost testosterone levels. Key strategies include:
    • Regular exercise, particularly strength training
    • A balanced diet rich in healthy fats, protein, and essential nutrients
    • Stress management and adequate sleep
  • Regular Monitoring: It’s important to monitor testosterone levels regularly, especially if you experience symptoms of Low T. Regular check-ups can help tailor treatments to your individual needs and ensure long-term health.

Low Testosterone Treatment in Hartford, CT

Low testosterone can significantly impact your health and quality of life, but with early detection and proper management, you can regain vitality and well-being.

If you suspect you may have Low T, contact Dr. Gerard Pregenzer at Pregenzer Urology. Please call (860) 962-6600 to explore treatment options and take steps toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.

What Are Treatment Options for Erectile Dysfunction When Pills Don’t Work?

Posted on by Gerard Pregenzer, M.D. in

Erectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to get or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. With regard to sexual health, erectile dysfunction is the most reported problem by men to their doctor. It is estimated that as many as 100 million men worldwide have ED, however as many as 85% do not report it. Many men believe aging is the only cause, but that’s not exactly true. In most cases, men are prescribed the “little blue pill,” but what are treatment options for erectile dysfunction when pills don’t work?

Diagnosis of Erectile Dysfunction

If you are wondering about ED, see an experienced urologist who diagnoses and treats ED like Dr. Pregenzer Board Certified Urologist in Hartford, CT.

One test is a Penile Doppler Ultrasound which will diagnose the root cause of erectile dysfunction: blood flow in the penis. This is done accompanied by a physical exam, urine and blood tests, and maybe an overnight test.

Once other medical issues are eliminated, Pregenzer Urology can make a definitive diagnosis.

Pill Problems

Sometimes the pills for ED don’t work. In addition, certain men cannot take this prescription due to side effects and other health issues including: severe heart disease or heart failure, low blood pressure, and those who take nitrate meds for chest pains. There must be some other alternatives.

You can try lifestyle changes like stopping smoking, exercise, pelvic floor exercises, stress management, and diet.

If you are among the men who do not respond to pills for ED, cannot take them due to other health problems, and if lifestyle changes don’t help, there are other options.

What Are Treatment Options For ED Aside From Medication?

Medical science and technology always have an answer. If you have ED, maybe one or more of these alternatives will help.

  • A vacuum erection device, or VED, is sometimes known as a penile pump. Using suction it manually pulls blood into the penis. A tension ring is slipped onto the base of the penis to maintain the erection. Side effects include some restriction of the ejaculation, a cold penis to the touch, and mild bruising.
  • Drug pellets inserted into the tip of the penis are like suppositories. They take about 10 minutes to work, and can last 30 to 60 minutes. Side effects include a burning sensation and minor bleeding from the penis.
  • Penile injections are another option. These meds improve blood flow even better than pills. Side effects can include some bleeding and minor pain at the site of the injection, longer erections than you desire, and scar tissue within the penis.
  • Penile implants involve a 30 to 45 minute procedure to place a device inside the penis which you control. You then have the ability to create erections and decide how long they last. This option has high satisfaction results.
  • Another option is a high frequency and low intensity shock wave treatment directed at the penis with a handheld device. It works to increase blood flow by eliminating plaque in existing blood vessels and increases the growth of new blood vessels. It is painless and after a series of treatments, it can last up to 3 years with some minimal maintenance.

Erectile Dysfunction Specialist in Hartford, CT

Contact Dr. Gerard Pregenzer at Pregenzer Urology. Please call (860) 962-6600 if you would like to discuss any of these treatment options for erectile dysfunction and find out if they could be right for you.

Overactive Bladder: How to Retrain Your Bladder

Posted on by Gerard Pregenzer, M.D. in ,

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition characterized by a sudden, frequent urge to urinate that can be difficult to control, sometimes leading to unintentional urine leakage. Chances are, if you’re reading this you are already well aware of the realities of living with OAB. Pregenzer Urology can help!

Living With an Overactive Bladder

Having OAB is not a joke for those that have it. That constant feeling of “I gotta go,” and sometimes leaking urine affects your life in many ways, and they’re all negative.

30% of men and 40% of women in the United States live with an overactive bladder.

What Are Risk Factors for OAB?

Simply getting older or being female are not causes of OAB.

Risk factors for OAB can include the following:

  • Hormonal changesman going to the bathroom
  • A urinary tract infection (UTI)
  • Neurologic disorders or damage to the signals between the bladder and your brain
  • Stroke, MS or spinal cord injuries
  • Side effects from certain medications
  • Weakness in the pelvic muscles

What Are Therapies for an Overactive Bladder?

Treatments or therapies for an overactive bladder range from some lifestyle changes all the way to surgery. Understand that OAB will not go away on its own. Don’t ignore the symptoms or they will only get worse.

We are going to focus on retraining your bladder which is non-invasive and one of the first therapies Dr. Gerard Pregenzer may recommend.

Retraining Your Bladder

It is critical to work with your urologist as you retrain your bladder, and the more information you can provide about your symptoms, the better. The goal is to increase the amount of time between using the bathroom and to strengthen your ability to control the urges.

Begin to Keep a Bladder Diary

This is simply a record of when you go, how long in between, what you have eaten and what liquids you’ve consumed so you may be able to track any triggers. This includes peeing at night.

This will give you an average of how long between urinations.

Select a Practical Interval

If you discover you are going to the bathroom every hour, set a goal to increase the time between. Don’t be overly optimistic. Select a rational or practical time to increase like an additional 10 or 15 minutes.

Start First Thing in the Morning

Go to the bathroom when you first get up. If your increased interval is one hour and 10 minutes try to stick to that timing. Even if you don’t feel like going, go anyway.

If you can’t wait that long and you have the urge, try some different tactics. Stay calm and begin to count down from 50. Try Kegel exercises, and attempt to hold off for 10 or 15 more minutes.

Increase the Interval

Once you become comfortable with the extra time between peeing, now is the time to increase it a bit more. As time passes, you may be able to increase the intervals slowly. You can also try double voiding. Go, and then wait a few minutes and try to go again.

Give Yourself a Break

It is important to be patient and not give up. Once you have made the commitment to follow through on retraining your bladder, give it time. Don’t beat yourself up if it takes longer than you expected. Again, consult with Dr. Gerard Pregenzer for additional suggestions.

There may be additional techniques or therapies to try in conjunction with bladder retraining.

Schedule an Overactive Bladder Consultation in Hartford, CT

Don’t suffer in silence. Overactive bladder relief is possible. Contact board-certified urologist Dr. Gerard Pregenzer at (860) 962-6600 for help with an overactive bladder.

Sources:

Prostate Health: When to Start Screening and What to Expect

Posted on by Gerard Pregenzer, M.D. in ,

Most of us know that when cancer is found early, it is easier to treat and cure. That’s why physicians recommend screening tests for many cancers. Prostate cancer is no different, but there are some caveats. When it comes to prostate health, when should men start screening and what should they expect?

Facts Men Should Know About Prostate Cancer

  • Most men will get prostate cancer if they live long enough.
  • There are both risks and benefits to treatment.
  • Some prostate cancers are extremely aggressive, while others can be very slow growing.
  • Getting treatment for prostate cancer makes sense when the benefits outweigh the potential risks of the side effects.
  • Prostate cancer has no symptoms unless it is advanced. Hence, the need for screening.

What Are the Types of Prostate Cancer Screenings?

Common screening tests for prostate cancer include the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and the digital rectal exam (DRE).

Screening With the PSA Blood Test

Prostate cancer screening schedule for men concept.The PSA blood test measures how much of a protein known as prostate specific antigen, or PSA, is found in your blood. This has been the standard for prostate screening for 30 years.

General guidelines suggest screening to begin at age 50. 

If a man has risk factors that put him at higher risk, Dr. Gerard Pregenzer may recommend earlier screenings like between age 40 and 54.

  • Family history, especially a first degree relative like a father or brother having prostate cancer
  • Extended family history, such as if two extended family members have had prostate cancer
  • African-American men, as they are more likely to have aggressive tumors putting them at very high risk

If you have none of those worrisome risk factors putting you at average risk, screening usually begins at 50 and ends at age 69.

Screening With the Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)

A digital rectal exam is also part of screening for prostate cancer. This is a quick and safe screening technique performed in the office by Dr. Gerard Pregenzer.

Using a lubricated gloved finger, your doctor will be able to determine if the prostate is enlarged, has lumps, areas of hardness, or other texture abnormalities. Although the exam may cause momentary discomfort, there is no pain.

What’s Different About Prostate Cancer Screening?

Most screening tests for other cancers have only benefits like a negative test result or early detection proving helpful for a cure.

With prostate cancer screening, most physicians will discuss the risks and benefits with their patients before proceeding.

  • Some test results can show false positives or false negatives leading to anxiety and biopsy, or thinking all is well when the patient actually has cancer. Researchers are looking for ways to make these screenings more accurate.
  • Over-diagnosis and over-treatment are another issue. Some prostate cancers grow slowly and would never cause a man any problems during his lifetime. If a decision is made to go ahead with treatment like radiation or surgery that wasn’t needed, it can lead to urinary issues, bowel issues, or sexual problems.

What to Expect During a Prostate Cancer Screening

There is very little preparation required for a prostate screening.

  • The PSA test is simple blood work. The sample will be sent to a lab for analysis. If the PSA level is high, you may need further testing like an MRI, a biopsy, or other lab tests. It is wise to refrain from sex for 48 hours prior to the test since this can cause your PSA level to rise. There is no need to change any bathroom habits. If the results are borderline, you may need another test in 6 months.
  • As for the DRE, let Dr. Gerard Pregenzer know if you have hemorrhoids, anal fissures or tears.
  • We also offer genomic testing and a blood test for assessing the probability of aggressive prostate Cancer called, 4K score.

You will receive the results of the DRE immediately and the PSA test within 1-2 days.

Schedule a Prostate Cancer Screening in Hartford, CT

Contact board-certified urologist Dr. Gerard Pregenzer at (860) 962-6600 with questions about prostate screening, high risk factors, or to schedule an exam at our urology offices in Hartford, CT.

Sources:

Early Detection & Prevention – Prostate Conditions

Screening & Testing For Early Cancer Detection: Prostate Cancer Exam – Spotting Cancer

Prostate Cancer: Age-Specific Screening Guidelines | Johns Hopkins Medicine

Can Prostate Cancer Be Found Early? | How to Detect Prostate Cancer? | American Cancer Society

Kidney Stones: Common Causes And Treatments

Posted on by Gerard Pregenzer, M.D. in ,

Anyone who has ever passed a kidney stone will tell you it was probably the worst pain they ever felt. The last thing they want is to ever have another one. Unfortunately, once you have a kidney stone, you are more likely to have another. Discover why that is, as well as other causes and treatments below.

Check Your Urine

The easiest way to know if your kidneys are working properly and to avoid getting kidney stones is to check the color of your urine. It should be very light, pale yellow, and clear. Urine that looks deep yellow, orange, or hazy could indicate dehydration, meaning you need to drink more water daily to prevent kidney stones. Urine with no color might mean you’re drinking too much water.

Why Do We Get Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones are hard objects made from the chemicals in our urine. They can range from as small as a grain of salt, passing out of the body unnoticed, to large enough to cause severe pain as they move through the urinary tract.

a model of a human kidney made on paper.Kidney stones form due to the following:

  • Not drinking enough water
  • Exercising too vigorously or not enough
  • Obesity
  • Eating foods with too much salt and sugar
  • Family history
  • Too much fructose in foods

We get kidney stones when we have a high concentration of minerals like calcium, oxalate, or uric acid in our urine, and they come together to form a crystal or stone. If you do pass a stone at home and have the ability to strain your urine, bring the stone to Pregenzer Urology in Hartford, CT. That way we will know the make-up of the stone and be able to give you dietary recommendations to avoid future stones.

Treatments for Kidney Stones

Small stones can pass with drinking extra water, OTC pain meds, and sometimes prescription medications to help you pass the stone.

Larger stones are problematic. They can be too large to pass, they can block the urinary tract, or cause infections. In these cases surgery is recommended.

  • Shock Wave Lithotripsy is a non-invasive treatment that uses high energy sound waves to break up the stone.
  • Another less invasive treatment for kidney stones is a ureteroscopy where Dr. Pregenzer uses an endoscope inserted into the ureter to remove or destroy the stone.
  • Lastly, for very large stones, a surgical procedure called percutaneous nephrolithotomy is employed. Small telescopes and instruments are inserted through a small incision in the back. This is performed in a hospital setting under general anesthesia, and you may remain in the hospital for several days.

Preventing Future Kidney Stones

Don’t want another stone?

The two most important things you can do after an experience with a kidney stone is to drink more water and follow the dietary restrictions recommended by Dr. Gerard Pregenzer.

Schedule a Kidney Stones Appointment in Hartford, CT

Contact board-certified urologist Dr. Gerard Pregenzer at (860) 962- 6600 if you think you are suffering with a kidney stone, or if you have passed one, and want to prevent another bout.

Sources:

Kidney stones – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

What Causes Kidney Stones? 12 Possible Causes (webmd.com)

What Are The Benefits Of A No-Scalpel Vasectomy?

Posted on by Gerard Pregenzer, M.D. in ,

If you are thinking about having a vasectomy, think long and hard. Once you are sure that you do not want any more children, you may decide to have a no-scalpel vasectomy. That would be a good decision, and we can stipulate that fact. Let’s dive into the benefits of a no-scalpel vasectomy.

Continue reading “What Are The Benefits Of A No-Scalpel Vasectomy?” →

How Is Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosed?

Posted on by Gerard Pregenzer, M.D. in

How is erectile dysfunction diagnosed? It is typically done through the process of elimination. There are so many factors involved in getting and maintaining an erection firm enough to have sexual relations, your doctor will test one possibility at a time to finally reach the real cause. Only then can proper treatment be provided.

Continue reading “How Is Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosed?” →

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