Q:I have used testosterone gels for almost a year and I feel more lively and my libido has rebounded, but I read so many things about testosterone for men that I'm really confused. Is testosterone good or bad?

A: In the past few months, two new research studies have indicated that giving testosterone to men with low levels may be more helpful than we thought. One study showed that replacing this hormone in diabetic men can help their body to be more sensitive to insulin, which can help to provide better diabetic control. It also helped these diabetic men have a better sexual response. Another study evaluated 2,000 men and found that those with low testosterone were at higher risk of death from cancer or heart disease.

Giving testosterone to men with low levels has been used in medicine for decades with a comfortable safety margin.

The main concern with testosterone supplements in men is to be sure we don't accidentally give it to a man with prostate cancer because it can make the tumor grow more quickly.

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