Q& A

from Healthy Living June 2013

Why Do You Need A SPECIALIST?

are easy to use and dissolve in less than a minute under the tongue. The pharmacy also compounds ExtendaGel, a clear, odorless gel that is spread onto the skin usually once a day to help men maintain healthy and consistent hormone levels. They also compound hormones in other convenient dosage forms — including oral capsules and troches, transdermal creams and gels, and injectables — to meet the needs of each individual patient.

Men, if you think you may be experiencing symptoms of andropause, do not write it off to old age. You can get your sex life, energy level, and overall quality of life back in order. There are options available, and STARx is an incredible resource to discuss your compounding needs in detail, provide consultation, and answer any questions you or your doctor may have.

For more information, visit www. starxpharmacy.com or call 352.323.9555.

with Bill Gray, R.Ph Senior Pharmacist

How can STARx Pharmacy help me battle andropause?

This unique pharmacy does not prescribe to a onedose-ﬁts-all system. With a doctor’s prescription, STARx can compound medication that you won’t ﬁnd at drug stores or grocery stores. For instance, a dosage of 100 milligrams may be too high for someone, but a dosage of 25 milligrams is too low. So STARx can compound that medication in 75 milligrams. STARx follows all federal and state rules and regulations and utilizes a system of checks and balances along with on-going testing to ensure proper dosage for each individual patient.

Can andropause affect men similar to how menopause affects women?

It certainly can in some cases, but not in all cases.

Does testosterone cause prostate cancer?

No. However, you should monitor your estradiol levels while using it. The estradiol level could be the culprit in aggravating the prostrate and possibly causing cancer.

Will testosterone help prevent osteoporosis and osteopenia?

Yes, it certainly helps build stronger bones.

I used to golf and play tennis three to four times a week. Now, I’m lucky to do either activity once every two weeks. Will testosterone help me become motivated again?

Absolutely, especially if you raise your levels, monitor your estradiol level, eat a balanced diet, and receive a good night’s sleep. In addition, do not forget to have your dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) balanced also.

Where is DHEA produced?

It is a precursor to testosterone and produced by the adrenal glands. Its level typically starts dropping in men and women in their mid-40s. Low levels are associated with fatigue, low energy, and the aging process.

Gentlemen — young and old, ﬁt and not-so-ﬁt — welcome to Healthy Living’s inaugural men’s health guide. Our goal is to inspire you, the men of Lake and Sumter counties, to become more health-conscious. Sprinkled with a dose of good humor, we have set out to tell you all you need to know about men’s health from head to prostate. So, get comfortable and get ready to learn some useful information to get you at least thinking about the path to wellness.

WRITERS: SHEMIR WILES AND JAMES COMBS PHOTOGRAPHY: FRED LOPEZ

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know? did you

Before you sit down to read this issue, Dr. Jeffery Glover of Glover Chiropractic Clinic in Leesburg cautions that sitting on your wallet could produce numbness, burning, and tingling in your lower back and legs. The cause? Pressure on a little-known muscle called the piriformis. “It’s a muscle under the gluteus maximus, and what happens is the wallet pushes up on that muscle and causes it to spasm, triggering inﬂammation of the sciatic nerve root,” Dr. Glover says. To ﬁx it, he suggests stretching to relax the muscle. Also, don’t forget to move your wallet to the front of your pants.