Could the use of prescription pain relievers actually lead to an increase in pain perception? According to researchers at the Harvard Medical School, the answer is a surprising yes.
A study presented at The Endocrine Society’s 95th Annual Meeting revealed that increased pain sensitivity in men can result from the chronic use of pain relievers. Opioids, a class of highly addictive, pain-relieving drugs, have been shown to actively lower testosterone levels, which can result in a lower pain threshold in many men. As their sensitivity to pain increases, these patients are likely to continue taking these drugs, making the situation even worse.
Lower testosterone levels caused by chronic pain medications such as codeine and morphine have also been associated with a variety of symptoms previously attributed to aging, including decreased muscle mass, an increase in fat mass, lower quality of life, and sexual dysfunction.
Shehzad Basaria and his team of Harvard researchers tested a solution to this problem: testosterone replacement therapy. During this innovative study, they found that men who received therapy treatment for low T levels experienced a higher pain tolerance and minimized sensitivity compared to those who received a placebo treatment.
The study, which lasted a total of 14 weeks, included 65 participants ranging from 18 to 64 years of age. 29 study participants received a placebo, while the remaining 36 were treated with testosterone gel.
At 1513 Anti-Aging and Weight Loss® in Columbus, Georgia, we offer men treatment for their low T symptoms. Our in-house labs offer men a relaxed environment for testosterone therapy. Benefits of testosterone replacement therapy for men can include increased energy, better sleep, improved brain function, and more.
To learn more about testosterone replacement therapy at 1513 Anti-Aging and Weight Loss®, call our Columbus office at (706) 801-4132 to schedule a consultation.