DR Jeff Foster is The Sun on Sunday’s resident doctor and is here to help YOU.
Dr Jeff, 43, splits his time between working as a GP in Leamington Spa, Warks, and running his clinic, H3 Health, which is the first of its kind in the UK to look at hormonal issues for both men and women.
Dr Jeff Foster is The Sun on Sunday’s resident doctor and is here to help you
See h3health.co.uk and email at [email protected].
Q) I CAN get an erection – with or without tablets provided by my GP – but it is never fully erect and I lose it directly after ejaculation.
I’ve had tests for testosterone levels and my GP says they are OK.
But I have lost most of my body hair from my chest, legs and arms and I feel my testosterone levels need a boost instead of Viagra.
How do I get testosterone?
Arthur Rolph, Hastings
A) In terms of testosterone, there is increasing awareness that more men are suffering with low testosterone than previously thought. Having a level that is “OK” is not helpful because it is important to understand what your total, and sometimes your free or “available” testosterone levels are.
The British Society of Sexual Medicine defines a low testosterone level as below 12 nmol/l, or below 15 nmol/l if symptomatic and with other risk factors such as type 2 diabetes.
But this does not cover the free testosterone, (which may need to be included).
I would suggest you either return to your GP and ask for further blood tests and discuss all of your symptoms so you can try to get a solution.
Or you can speak to a men’s health specialist (like me), who will probably be better able to interpret the results for you and deal with the problems you are facing.
When should you see a doctor for erectile dysfunction?
Erection problems can come at the most inconvenient of times.
But just because you had difficutly one night, it doesn’t mean you need to rush to see a doctor.
There is one key reason for when you should see a doctor about erection problems – when it happens regularly, or every time you go to have sex.
Dr Sameer Sanghvi, Clinical Technology Lead at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, said: “Most men occasionally experience erectile problems [EPs].
“Occasional EPs are nothing to worry about. If you regularly suffer with EPs, you should see your GP.
Dr Sameer believes that people shouldn’t suffer in silence when it comes to erection problems.
“EPs are not as big a problem as people make them out to be. There is a stigma attached to EPs in public discourse, but there need not be.
“EPs are common. It is time to raise discussion about the issue of raising it.”
Q) I HAD a mini stroke where my hand went into a fist, I had pins and needles all down my arm, felt dizzy and that I was going to faint.
I was kept in hospital overnight as my hand was not fully open. I was off work for three weeks, had physio and made a full recovery.
Will I be able to continue refereeing local football leagues, or is there a chance I could have another stroke?
David Ryan, Durham
A) Once someone has suffered a mini-stroke (also known as Transient Ischaemic Attack or TIA), I am afraid they are more likely to have another event unless their risk factors are managed and controlled quickly.
They are usually warning signs that a more serious stroke might occur, which is why doctors treat them so seriously.
Changes in lifestyle combined with specific medical treatments and drugs, can significantly reduce the risks of another.
Control of blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugars, stress and body weight all help too.
Plus blood-thinning drugs to try to prevent further risk of clots forming.
Chat to your doctor but remember many patients can make great recoveries.
I hope all goes well and by all means return to refereeing.