Write your search in the input below and press enter.
Esc to close.

The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich

Peak Performance:
Not Just for Sports, for Life

  • Products
    • Toolkits
    • Audio
    • Videos
    • Books
    • Apps
  • Services
  • Chalk Talk
    • Recent
    • Athletes
    • Coaching
    • Sports Parenting
    • Sports Administrators
    • Life
    • Administrators
  • About Dr. Stankovich
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Products
    • Toolkits
    • Audio
    • Books
    • Videos
    • Apps
  • Services
  • Chalk Talk
  • About Dr. Stankovich
  • Testimonials
  • Contact

Hello. Sign In

My Account
  • Login
  • Register
0
The Sports Doc Chalk Talk
Subscribe
The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
  • Recent
  • Athletes
  • Coaching
  • Sports Parenting
  • Life
  • Administrators
Home / Blog / Don’t Let the “Low-T” Commercials Scare You into Becoming a Prescription Drug Consumer

Don’t Let the “Low-T” Commercials Scare You into Becoming a Prescription Drug Consumer

By: Dr. Chris Stankovich | @DrStankovich | Feb 03, 2014

No Comments

low t

Low-T, or low testosterone, is big pharma’s latest scare to men, with commercials seemingly running non-stop these days informing us that if we are seeing an expected, normal drop in testosterone as we chronologically age then we need a dangerous drug to fix the condition.  Unlike traditional disorders that are characterized by atypical or unusual thinking and behavior, low testosterone is simply a part of the normal aging process –yet the pharmaceutical industry has framed this condition as some sort of abnormality, and one that only the potentially dangerous medications that they are peddling can fix.

So are we seeing some kind of epidemic relating to massive drops in male testosterone you might be asking?  No, fortunately, that’s not at all what is happening.  In fact, perhaps Spyros Mezitis, MD, PhD, best sums up all the hysteria with the following response when asked about the current “Low T” crisis:

“Men are bombarded by media, by advertising campaigns — ‘Don’t feel well? Ask your doctor about low testosterone,'” he says.

We shouldn’t be surprised by this “scare the consumer” approach used by big pharma, as it is the model they have successfully used for years now as evidenced by all the psychotropic medications constantly advertised on TV.  While the conditions and medications vary, the message is always the same: You have a troubling condition and we have a potentially dangerous medicine that can help.

What’s different about Low-T is that the condition isn’t harmful, and in fact is remarkably normal when examining the aging process.  Still, if you watch the commercials of guys rubbing the Low-T medicine on their underarms you would think you’re doomed unless you improve upon your testosterone levels immediately.

The side effects

Before you become Low-T’s next consumer, check out some of the listed side effects:

  • burn-like blistering of the skin where the transdermal patch is worn;
  • skin irritation with patch-wearing that does not get better with time;
  • problems with urination;
  • swelling of your ankles;
  • frequent, prolonged, or bothersome erections; or
  • nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
  • redness, itching, burning, or hardened skin where the skin patch is worn;
  • breast swelling or tenderness;
  • increased acne or hair growth;
  • headache, depressed mood; or
  • changes in your sex drive.

And if that’s not enough, you should also be aware of any signs of an allergic reaction, including hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Ironically, these side effects are actually mentioned during the ads on TV, but you probably missed them because of two reasons: 1.) the commercials are so nice and inviting seeing happy people become even happier because of Low-T medicine you overlooked the side effect warnings, and 2.) the warnings are read off so quickly you couldn’t understand them, and when you tried to read the warnings when they scrolled along the bottom of the screen you simply couldn’t keep up (and you’re probably still scratching your head in disbelief that there is a font size that microscopically small).

Best advice

Be a good, critical consumer when it comes to drugs.  Similar to how you might examine a street drug, the same caution needs to go into pharmaceutical drugs — just because they are prescribed by a physician does not make them any safer as all drugs have side-, interaction-, and potential withdrawal-effects.  Ask your doctor lots of questions, and whether the “condition” being treated really is a recognized medical/psychological illness or disease.  Ask if what you are experiencing is normal, and if there are safer, non-drug options to consider.  Ask about all the potential side effects, and about the research on the drug (your doctor should know this – if not, get a new doctor!).  And finally, don’t fall into the trap that if a commercial about a problem is on television then what they are selling must be the answer.  Of course, many medications when used under a doctor’s watch while treating a recognized medical condition can be helpful, but in many other cases the evidence of efficacy simply isn’t there – but the dangerous side effects still remain.

www.drstankovich.com

 

disorder, drugs, low, medication, pharmaceutical, testosterone

  • Author
  • Comments
  • Details
Get to Know the Author

Dr. Chris Stankovich

Dr. Stankovich has written/co-written five books, including Positive Transitions for Student Athletes, The ParentsPlaybook, Mind of Steel.

Dr. Chris Stankovich

Latest Blog Posts

  • March 1, 2021 Important Team Building Success Tips for Coaches
  • February 16, 2021 Help Kids Overcome Pandemic Anxiety as they Head Back to School
  • February 10, 2021 Is Mark Cuban’s Remedy for National Anthem Protests the Right Move?
  • February 4, 2021 Former NFL Star Warns of Potential Problems Dealing with Sport Retirement
  • February 1, 2021 Lacking Social Interaction is Hitting Kids Hard through Pandemic

Comments are closed.

PREVIOUS POST

What’s the Future of Football?

NEXT POST

Eddie George’s Struggles with Sport Retirement Reveal How Tough Post-Sports Life Can Be

Category

Habit Change , Life , Mental Disorders , Stress

Tags

disorder, drugs, low, medication, pharmaceutical, testosterone

  • Recent Posts
  • Most Read
  • Important Team Building Success Tips for Coaches
  • Help Kids Overcome Pandemic Anxiety as they Head Back to School
  • Is Mark Cuban's Remedy for National Anthem Protests the Right Move?
  • Former NFL Star Warns of Potential Problems Dealing with Sport Retirement
  • Lacking Social Interaction is Hitting Kids Hard through Pandemic
  • Parent Sports Pressure Can Leave Kids with Overwhelming Expectations
  • Overcome Adversity by Using this Important Mental Toughness Strategy
  • Challenges Endure for Student Athletes Managing Pandemic Stress & Related Concerns
  • Maximize the Strength of Your Team through Care, Concern, & Compassion
  • Lacking Social Interaction is Hitting Kids Hard through Pandemic
  • The Sports Doc on TV

    Catch Dr. Stankovich’s tv, radio, and print interviews and columns here!

    Dr. Chris Stankovich Watch Videos
  • Sport Performance Assessment

    Dr. Chris Stankovich Quickly and accurately test your level of mental toughness in just a few minutes using the Sport Performance Assessment.

    (SPA), an easy-to-use sport psychology system specially designed to help you REACH YOUR FULL ATHLETIC POTENTIAL.

    learn more
  • SportsSuccess360

    Life strategies for performance and character development for coaches, parents, and student athletes competing in youth and interscholastic sports.

    Life Strategies learn more
  • Contact Dr. Stankovich

    1395 Grandview Avenue Suite 6, Columbus OH 43212

    (614) 561-4482
    Media & General Inquiries
    information@drstankovich.com
    Sales & Product Support
    sales@drstankovich.com
  • About Dr. Stankovich

    • Media
    • Blog
    • Testimonials
  • Products

    • Toolkits
    • Videos
    • Books
    • Audio
    • iPhone Apps
  • Services

    • Athlete Performance Training
    • Parent Community Forum
    • Coach Education & Development
    • Athletic Crisis Response and Intervention
    • Drug & Alcohol Assessment
    • Life Success Programs
    • Counseling & Consulting Services
  • Blog
  • YouTube
  • twitter
  • facebook

All rights reserved © 2021 Advanced Human Performance Systems™

↓ ↓