Testosterone Treatment Debate: Is It a Fountain of Youth?
A discussion about testosterone treatment at the annual American Urological Association meeting in Orlando, Florida this year turned into a testosterone treatment debate. There were two speakers that primarily locked horns. Dr. Adriane Fuhr-Berman, an associate professor of pharmacology at Georgetown University, is of the opinion that low testosterone treatments are being distributed with little regard for the potential consequences. Dr. Abraham Morgentaler, an associate clinical professor of urology at Harvard Medical School, expressed opposing view points and took the stance of attacking Dr. Fuhr-Berman’s credibility.
The Stance Against Low T Treatments
Fuhr-Berman’s con side of the testosterone treatment debate pointed to reprehensible advertising practices and the many parallels between Low T treatments and estrogen treatments. The doctor insisted that advertisers are employing deceiving marketing tactics to make testosterone treatment seem like a “Fountain of Youth.” By listing symptoms of Low T that are also simply part of the natural aging process for men, manufacturers are making a natural occurrence seem like an unnatural affliction, further polarizing the testosterone treatment debate.
Dr. Fuhr-Berman compared the testosterone treatment debate to a similar one that estrogen treatment faced in the past. Estrogen treatment was extremely popular for decades, right up until the 1970’s when studies linked it to endometrial cancer. The treatment regained popularity after that until it was revealed in 2000 by the Women’s Health Initiative that estrogen treatments were linked to breast cancer and heart problems. There were 15 million users at the time. Fuhr-Berman insists that there simply isn’t enough information about Low T treatments to mass market it the way it is being presented, asserting that there is little to no benefit.
The Stance For Low T Treatments
Dr. Abraham Morgentaler was on the opposite side of the testosterone treatment debate. The unfortunate part of Morgentaler’s presentation was his approach in attacking Fuhr-Berman’s credibility instead of facts. He was quick to point out that Fuhr-Berman had no personal experience in prescribing Low T treatments. It was a point he contrasted by asking the doctors in the room who had prescribed it to raise a hand, resulting in a near unanimous show of hands. He went on to suggest that their personal experience in using Low T treatments should trump Fuhr-Berman’s thoughts.
Dr. Morgentaler may be completely right in the testosterone treatment debate, but he did not touch on the marketing angle at all, even though victims of estrogen treatments had been through nearly identical circumstances due to concerted marketing efforts and collusion. It could be decades before enough evidence is gathered to draw a concrete conclusion on the ramifications of Low T treatments for patients.
Find Out More About the Testosterone Treatment Debate
There is already evidence in the testosterone treatment debate of the harm that Low T treatments can do to patients, such as an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Contact the American Injury Attorney Group today if you believe you or a loved one have been harmed by a Low T treatment. We can provide a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss whether or not you have a claim. If so, the American Injury Attorney Group can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can help you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.