Testosterone injections improved the quality of life and libido in diabetic men, small study finds

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Testosterone injections improved the quality of life and libido in diabetic men, small study finds
A randomized clinical trial of 65 men with type 2 diabetes found testosterone injections can improve their libido.Getty Images
  • A clinical study of 65 men found testosterone injections improved libido for people with diabetes.
  • The study's lead author said the findings were the first to show improvement from testosterone in a randomized controlled trial.
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Testosterone injections improved the sex lives and quality of life in men with type 2 diabetes, a small trial found.

Researchers randomly divided a group of 65 men with type 2 diabetes into a control group and a group that would receive testosterone injections. The men received either testosterone or a placebo shot every 12 weeks for six months.

After six months, men who received testosterone injections reported improvements in their quality of life.

In the next phase of the trial, the study's researchers gave all 65 participants testosterone injections for another six months. Men reported improvements in libido and emotional wellbeing, as well as better physical health, at the end of the study period.

Dr. Preethi Mohan Rao, the study's lead author, said the findings were the first to show significant improvement from testosterone replacement theory in a randomized controlled trial.

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"The findings are welcome news to men with diabetes and hypogonadism, since they often have a poor quality of life," Rao, who presented his research at the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in Atlanta on Saturday, said in a release.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body cannot properly use the hormone insulin, which helps the body convert sugar from food into energy. The disease impacts 10% of the US population.

Men with type 2 diabetes or who are overweight have twice the risk of low testosterone compared to non-diabetic men, which can lead to lower sex drive, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Though studies show testosterone injections can to increase libido and decrease the body's fat mass, it can increase the risk of blood clots, worsen headaches, and increase the risk of stroke, Insider previously reported.

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