Decision to use testosterone must be individualized
July 23rd 2014Testosterone replacement therapy has been much debated in recent months, in light of two studies linking the treatment to increased risk of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke, prompting an FDA investigation into TRT’s safety and widespread criticism from members of the urologic community. In this article, Ajay Nehra, MD, discusses those studies, evolving attitudes toward “low T,” and the importance of individualizing treatment.
Testosterone dependence: How real is the risk?
July 23rd 2014Men are being too easily enticed lately into ill-advised use of testosterone supplementation. Even men with only minimal, vague complaints are promised a hormonal fountain of youth and ageless virility. Many potential candidates seem to be under the misconception that “T” replacement will boost or energize their natural testicular production. In fact, exogenous testosterone suppresses testicular function.
Proposed EHR rule offers ‘breathing room’
July 22nd 2014Important developments that could have an impact on urology practices include an attempt by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to provide more flexibility for providers in how they use certified EHR technology to meet meaningful use requirements and be eligible for program payments as well as proposed revisions to the FDA's “Guidance for Industry: Distributing Scientific and Medical Publications on Unapproved New Uses-Recommended Practices.”
Diagnosing docs strongly influence PCa Tx decisions
July 21st 2014Diagnosing physicians-urologists in particular-significantly influence decision making in men with low-risk prostate cancer as well as the type of treatment selected, according to researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
Best of AUA 2014: Female Urology/Incontinence/ Urodynamics
July 10th 2014Adonis K. Hijaz, MD, presents the take home messages on female urology/incontinence/urodynamics from the AUA annual meeting in Orlando, FL, including studies on mesh outcomes and the overactive bladder treatment mirabegron (Myrbetriq).
Clinical hypogonadism and the urologist’s role: Primum non nocere
July 9th 2014I consider urology to be a very unique field, one that I am lucky to be part of. Recently, though, I have begun to wonder whether the medical community (not necessarily the urology community) has been too quick to embrace the widespread use of testosterone replacement therapy.