Who would have thought it? Sex symbol and pop star Robbie Williams increases his libido by using testosterone hormone therapy! The 37-year-old singer of the band Take That revealed to Esquire magazine that he gets testosterone injections twice a week. Successfully: According to his statement, the musician feels like he’s getting a second wind, since the therapy does not only give him energy for his stressful job but also increases his libido and attractiveness!
Robbie learned about the hormones a few years ago after a blood test, when he was told by a physician that he had “a testosterone level of a 100-year-old man.” After the age of approximately 25, the level of all major hormones steadily decreases, in which physicians recognize a main reason for specific age-related problems.
The loss of libido, energy, and strength along with a gain in weight are the best-known consequences in men due to a lack of the male sex hormone testosterone. But, thanks to the findings of the Aesthetic and Regenerative Medicine, hormone deficiencies can be successfully treated by supplying (bioidentical) hormones within the context of a Hormonal Regeneration®.
A medical examination and an extensive blood test is done at the beginning of each Hormonal Regeneration® (Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, BHRT), as we have performed it in my Clinic DDr. Heinrich® in Vienna for many years. In this way, hormonal deficits and imbalances can be recognized. It is important to clarify the causes for the determined hormone deficiency, since hormone deficits may also be a consequence of disease. After that, a custom-tailored therapy based on the individual requirement will be arranged.
Only “bioidentical” hormones should preferably be used for the hormone therapy. Bioidentical hormones are equivalent to our human hormones in terms of its molecular structure. Hence, they differ from hormone-like medications that are usually administered during a hormone replacement therapy (HRT), for instance, in a post-menopausal therapy.
Bioidentical hormone therapies definitely need close monitoring by a physician with the specific experience in this appropriate field, since the hormones are interconnected with each other in control loops and hence, mutually influence each other. This “hormone cybernetics” must be taken into particular consideration during a bioidentical hormone therapy in order to avoid undesirable effects. Contrary to the classical HRT where a monotherapy with a specific hormone is administered in high doses, several hormones in lower, physiological doses are hence administered in a BHRT.
For instance, if someone like Robbie Williams is undergoing a bioidentical testosterone therapy, the correct, physiological doses of hormone is crucial. After all, the intention is to support the testicles and not to turn them off. Because if specific hormones are permanently supplied to the body in a too high dose, the respective endocrine glands reduce their activity due to the control loop feedback and they may also shrink. It is a well-known unwanted effect in terms of “doping,” where athletes are taking excessive doses of mostly artificial medications that are similar to testosterone. Thank God, something like that is reversible, otherwise certain top athletes and athletes would not be able to reproduce themselves at a later time. On the other hand, a carefully planned bioidentical hormone therapy is able to relieve the exhausted endocrine glands and contribute to their regeneration.
Beyond the positive effect on strength, endurance and libido, the bioidentical hormone therapies are also used for the esthetic anti-aging. Meanwhile, we know that many of the exterior signs of aging are a consequence of the reduced efficiency of the endocrine glands. The compensation of this “chronic hormone deficiency” and potential hormonal imbalances enable that age-related sunken cheeks, sagging tissue, and dry skin can be soothed or even completely eliminated. The hormone levels in healthy young adults may serve as a model in this case.
Hormonal Regeneration® with bioidentical hormones can be administered either permanently or cyclically as is the case of Robbie Williams. The treatment period is usually 3 or 6 months. Depending on the patient’s target, regular repeat treatments or therapy refreshments are meaningful.
However, in contrast to Robbie Williams, who is probably less reserved as a drug-experienced rock musician in terms of injections, it is usually better to rub the testosterone in the form of a cream into the skin on a daily basis. In this way, body-contoured, daily blood level increases can be achieved which doesn’t work so well in comparison with a depot injection.
DDr. Heinrich, MD