Latest news with #SSMHealth
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
SSM Health donates $10K to support families in Fond du Lac
FOND DU LAC – SSM Health has donated $10,000 to Charis Pregnancy & Family Help Center to support its Charis-Vida Medical Clinic, according to an announcement. The clinic provides free and confidential medical care, parent support services and material support for men, women and families. Charis aims to empower women in Fond du Lac to choose life for their children and families through education, friendship and practical support, according to the announcement. The program offers various services, including the Earn While You Learn mentoring program, pregnancy mentoring, material assistance, pregnancy loss support, community assistance referrals, prenatal classes, parental training and a fatherhood program. 'Thanks to generous community support, Charis can provide opportunities and resources at no cost to the patient or client,' Cindy Sweeney, Charis executive director, said in the announcement. 'We believe an ability to reach more in need of our services can help generate better self-care, resiliency, productivity and healthier relationships throughout Fond du Lac County. It is also important to increase male participation to empower, educate, equip, and encourage fathers in the care and provision for their families.' The donation was presented to Sweeney and Development Director Paige Kelley by Tami Schattschneider, SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer, and Bryan Kress, SSM Health Wisconsin Northern Region director of finance. In 2024, SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac's community benefit ministry totaled more than $568,000 across the communities it serves. This investment helps ensure access to health care for patients who are uninsured or underinsured, trains the next generation of health care professionals to care for those in need and funds programs to address the most pressing health needs of our communities. This story was created by reporter Nida Tazeen, ntazeen@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Fond du Lac clinic gets $10K to help families and new parents Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
New Study Reveals a Hidden Benefit of Weight Loss Drugs for Men
New Study Reveals a Hidden Benefit of Weight Loss Drugs for Men originally appeared on Men's Fitness. These days, many folks turn to drugs like Ozempic to help lose weight. But for men, there may be another compelling reason to consider them: a testosterone boost. According to a new study being presented this week at the Endocrine Society's annual meeting, researchers at SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital found that weight loss medications can help reverse low testosterone levels in men with Type 2 diabetes or obesity. The researchers examined health records of 110 men with Type 2 diabetes or obesity to track hormone changes while using GLP-1 receptor agonists. They tracked testosterone levels before starting the medications and followed up for 18 months during treatment. About half of the participants had low or borderline low testosterone initially, with most achieving normal levels by the end of the study. The average age of the group was 54."The increases we observed were more modest than what you would typically see with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). However, they occurred naturally, without testosterone replacement therapy, and likely reflect the body recovering its normal hormone production as weight and insulin resistance improved," Shellsea Portillo Canales, M.D., lead author of the study, told NBC News. Just as weight loss drugs have surged in popularity, so too has testosterone therapy. Between 2019 and 2024, prescriptions for testosterone reportedly jumped from 7.3 million to over 11 million. "Doctors and their patients can now consider this class of medications not only for the treatment of obesity and to control blood sugar, but also to benefit men's reproductive health," Portillo shared in a Study Reveals a Hidden Benefit of Weight Loss Drugs for Men first appeared on Men's Fitness on Jul 15, 2025 This story was originally reported by Men's Fitness on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
The unexpected Ozempic side effect that has men rushing to get their hands on weight-loss drug
A new study suggests that drugs like Ozempic may do more than lower blood sugar and aid in weight loss - they could also raise testosterone levels in men. Researchers from Saint Louis University Hospital found that men taking GLP-1 medications, including semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), saw their testosterone levels increase by 24 per cent after 18 months of treatment. Testosterone is a vital hormone responsible for male sexual development, muscle mass, bone density, red blood cell production, and fat distribution. Low testosterone is common in men with obesity or Type 2 diabetes and is linked to fatigue, reduced libido, and decreased quality of life. The new findings suggest that GLP-1 drugs may also improve reproductive health in men affected by these conditions. Researchers say the results open the door for further investigation into how anti-obesity medications can impact hormone levels and overall well-being. Lead author Dr Shellsea Portillo Canales, an endocrinology fellow at SSM Health St Louis University Hospital said: 'While it is well known that weight loss from lifestyle changes or bariatric surgery increases testosterone levels, the impact that anti-obesity medications may also have on these levels has not been widely studied. 'Our study is among the first to provide compelling evidence that low testosterone can be reversed with the use of commonly prescribed anti-obesity medications.' The researchers analyzed existing medical records of 110 adult men with obesity or Type 2 diabetes. All of the participants were being treated with semaglutide (Ozempic or Wegovy), dulaglutide (Trulicity) or tirzepatide (Zepbound) for one and a half years. All three drugs are known to mimic the effects of GLP-1, a natural hormone in the body that regulates blood sugar and appetite, often leading to lower blood sugar and weight loss. None of the men were on testosterone or hormonal therapy before or during the experiment. Some risks of testosterone therapy include worsening sleep apnea, acne, enlarging the prostate or breasts, increasing the growth of prostate cancer, reducing sperm counts, causing the testicles to shrink and increasing the risk of clots, according to the Mayo Clinic. The researchers measured the participants' total and free testosterone levels before and during their treatment. Results showed that the participants experienced 10 per cent of weight loss and saw their testosterone levels rise from 53 per cent to 77 per cent. The scientists are yet to discover how GLP-1 drugs can increase testosterone. However, previous research has shown that excess fat can force the body to convert testosterone into estrogen, a female hormone. But when obese individuals start to lose weight, they reduce their body fat stores, which can improve insulin sensitivity in the body and reduce overall inflammation. Both decreased inflammation and weight loss can help the body produce more testosterone and prevent the conversion of the male hormone into estrogen. Talking about the preliminary results, Dr Portillo Canales said: 'Results from this study show that there is a direct correlation between the use of anti-obesity medications and testosterone levels. 'Doctors and their patients can now consider this class of medications not only for the treatment of obesity and to control blood sugar, but also to benefit men's reproductive health.' But despite clear results, the study authors noted that further research is needed to establish a clear link between the drugs and an increase in testosterone. However, seeing how beneficial the discovery is, Dr Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine physician scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital who was not involved in the study, told NBC News: 'The findings from this study highlight an important intersection between metabolic health and hormonal balance. 'This dual benefit underscores the potential of these medications to enhance overall health outcomes, including reproductive health, in this population.' Average testosterone levels in men are between 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter. Testosterone tends to decline gradually with age, starting around the late 30s to early 40s. By the age of 75, the average male testosterone level drops to about 65 per cent of the average level seen in young adults, Dr Portillo Canales said. The findings were presented today at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society's meeting in San Francisco.
Health Line
16-07-2025
- Health
- Health Line
GLP-1 Drugs May Boost Testosterone Levels In Men With Obesity, Diabetes
New research shows that GLP-1 medications are associated with improved testosterone in males with obesity or type 2 diabetes. The findings align with prior evidence showing that weight loss can support healthy testosterone levels. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are recognized as comorbidities for low testosterone and sexual dysfunction. GLP-1 medications can help improve low testosterone in males with obesity or type 2 diabetes, new research suggests. Testosterone is a key hormone involved in functions ranging from sexual health to muscle development. While various factors influence testosterone levels, obesity and type 2 diabetes are both recognized risk factors for low testosterone. Researchers have already shown that weight loss improves testosterone levels through lifestyle modifications and treatments such as bariatric surgery. GLP-1 drugs, a class of obesity and diabetes medications that includes Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro, are known to produce significant weight loss. However, their effects on testosterone levels hadn't yet been studied. 'We found that men treated with GLP-1–based weight loss therapies, such as semaglutide, dulaglutide, and tirzepatide, experienced significant increases in both total and free testosterone levels,' said Shellsea Portillo Canales, MD, first author of the study and endocrinologist at SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital. 'These findings suggest that in men with obesity or type 2 diabetes, incretin-based therapy may help restore healthy testosterone levels, particularly when low testosterone is related to obesity,' she told Healthline. Portillo Canales presented her research on July 14 at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in San Francisco, California. The study has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal. The findings are not surprising, but they help to answer an important, unanswered question about GLP-1 drugs and sexual health. 'This preliminary study fills a nice gap in the research in this area,' said David B. Sarwer, PhD, director of the Center for Obesity Research and Education, Temple University, and a spokesperson for the Obesity Society who wasn't involved in the research. 'It adds to a rapidly growing evidence base suggesting that these medications, in addition to promoting clinically significant weight loss, also have a wide range of secondary health benefits,' he said. Testosterone levels improved in most participants Portillo Canales and her team conducted a retrospective study of people with obesity and type 2 diabetes using electronic health records to investigate the effects of GLP-1 drugs on testosterone over an 18-month period. The study included 110 males, most of whom were white and in their mid-50s. Their average body mass index (BMI) was 35, meeting the threshold for clinical obesity, and 86 had type 2 diabetes. Subjects were excluded if they had received testosterone or other androgenic therapies. At baseline, just over half of the men had total testosterone levels above 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). According to the American Urological Association, any value below this threshold indicates low testosterone. After 18 months on GLP-1 receptor agonists, the proportion of men with healthy testosterone rose to 77%. The average participant lost about 26 pounds, decreasing from 255 to 229 pounds or approximately 10% of their body weight. Concurrently, total testosterone increased by about 18% (from 322 to 380 ng/dL), while free testosterone rose by 17%. 'This tracks with what we would expect based on how weight loss affects testosterone concentrations,' said Beverly Tchang, MD, an endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist at Weill Cornell Medicine. Tchang wasn't involved in the study. Studies consistently demonstrate that reductions in body weight correlate with increases in testosterone among men, particularly those with obesity. Other interventions that produce substantial weight loss — such as bariatric surgery — have likewise been associated with improved testosterone levels and overall hormonal balance. While there is no evidence that GLP-1 medications stimulate testosterone production directly, the increase in testosterone driven by their weight-loss effects appears comparable to that of other weight loss strategies. What is low-T (male hypogonadism)? Low testosterone (low-T) in males occurs when the testicles do not produce enough testosterone. Signs of low testosterone in men include: low sex drive (libido) decreased muscle mass erectile dysfunction lethargy/low energy increased body fat The most serious form of low-T is known as pathologic hypogonadism, and indicates a persistent reduction in testosterone levels caused by an irreversible condition. However, in many cases, testosterone levels can be corrected through both lifestyle and medical interventions. Obesity-related low testosterone is one such case. 'We know obesity is associated with 'pseudo' hypogonadism — not pathological. Obesity, due to excess adiposity, can affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. In essence, brain centers are lowering testosterone in obesity,' said Sun Kim, MD, an associate professor of Endocrinology at Stanford Medicine who wasn't involved in the research. In fact, obesity and low testosterone can create a sort of positive feedback loop: obesity lowers testosterone, which in turn can lead to less muscle mass, which can lead to further weight gain. 'Muscle mass is one of our biggest drivers of our metabolism. So, when you have low testosterone and you have this reduced ability to build muscle, then that slower metabolism predisposes you to more weight gain,' said Tchang. In addition to being a powerful agent for weight loss, GLP-1 drugs also have meaningful downstream effects on testosterone. Kim suggested that, given these effects, people with obesity who are considering hormone replacement therapy for low-T should first consider weight loss. 'Men with obesity with low testosterone (not due to other causes) should prioritize weight loss to increase testosterone versus taking exogenous testosterone,' she said. Can GLP-1 drugs help improve sexual health? While the findings are preliminary, experts are excited by the possibility of the role that GLP-1 medications could play in improving sexual health. 'Anecdotally, we've heard of some people coming back, men specifically, saying that GLP-1s have helped their libido and sexual performance,' Tchang said. 'If these drugs have an added benefit on the testosterone side, along with healthier blood vessels or more blood flow, then we're looking at a medication that's really starting to become a sexual health aid as well.' Sarwer told Healthline that this latest study adds evidence of yet another health benefit from GLP-1 drugs. 'Over the past several years, we have seen a great deal of enthusiasm about the use of incretin therapies to promote weight loss much larger than those seen with caloric restriction and increased physical activity,' he said. 'This weight loss has downstream effects on a range of important health issues. This study suggests that we may soon be able to confidently add increased testosterone to that list.'
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
The unexpected Ozempic side effect that has men rushing to get their hands on it
A new study suggests that drugs like Ozempic may do more than lower blood sugar and aid weight loss, they could also raise testosterone levels in men. Researchers from S. Louis University Hospital found that men taking GLP-1 medications, including semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), saw their testosterone levels increase by 24 percent after 18 months of treatment. Testosterone is a vital hormone responsible for male sexual development, muscle mass, bone density, red blood cell production, and fat distribution. Low testosterone is common in men with obesity or Type 2 diabetes and is linked to fatigue, reduced libido, and decreased quality of life. The new findings suggest that GLP-1 drugs may also improve reproductive health in men affected by these conditions. Researchers say the results open the door for further investigation into how anti-obesity medications can impact hormone levels and overall well-being. Lead author Dr Shellsea Portillo Canales, an endocrinology fellow at SSM Health St Louis University Hospital said: 'While it is well known that weight loss from lifestyle changes or bariatric surgery increases testosterone levels, the impact that anti-obesity medications may also have on these levels has not been widely studied.' 'Our study is among the first to provide compelling evidence that low testosterone can be reversed with the use of commonly prescribed anti-obesity medications.' The researchers analyzed existing medical records of 110 adult men with obesity or Type 2 diabetes. All of the participants were being treated with semaglutide (Ozempic or Wegovy), dulaglutide (Trulicity) or tirzepatide (Zepbound) for one and a half years. All three drugs are known to mimic the effects of GLP-1, a natural hormone in the body that regulates blood sugar and appetite, often leading to lower blood sugar and weight loss. None of the men were on testosterone or hormonal therapy before or during the experiment. Some risks of testosterone therapy include worsening sleep apnea, acne, enlarging the prostate or breasts, increasing the growth of prostate cancer, reducing sperm counts, causing the testicles to shrink and increasing the risk of clots, according to the Mayo Clinic. The researchers measured the participants' total and free testosterone levels before and during their treatment. Results showed that the participants experienced 10 percent of weight loss and saw their testosterone levels rise from 53 percent to 77 percent. The scientists are yet to discover how GLP-1 drugs can increase testosterone. However, previous research has shown that excess fat can force the body to convert testosterone into estrogen, a female hormone. But when obese individuals start to lose weight, they reduce their body fat stores, which can improve insulin sensitivity in the body and reduce overall inflammation. Both decreased inflammation and weight loss can help the body produce more testosterone and prevent the conversion of the male hormone into estrogen. Talking about the preliminary results, Dr Portillo Canales said: 'Results from this study show that there is a direct correlation between the use of anti-obesity medications and testosterone levels. 'Doctors and their patients can now consider this class of medications not only for the treatment of obesity and to control blood sugar, but also to benefit men's reproductive health.' But despite clear results, the study authors noted that further research is needed to establish a clear link between the drugs and an increase in testosterone. However, seeing how beneficial the discovery is, Dr Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine physician scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital who was not involved in the study, told NBC News: 'The findings from this study highlight an important intersection between metabolic health and hormonal balance. 'This dual benefit underscores the potential of these medications to enhance overall health outcomes, including reproductive health, in this population.' Average testosterone levels in men are between 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter. Testosterone tends to decline gradually with age, starting around the late 30s to early 40s. By the age of 75, the average male testosterone level drops to about 65 percent of the average level seen in young adults, Dr Portillo Canales said. The findings were presented today at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society's meeting in San Francisco.
