Frequently Asked Questions

By itself, testosterone supplementation will disrupt the body’s natural testosterone/sperm producing mechanisms. This disruption will result in the cessation of the body’s ability to produce testosterone/sperm. The Edge uses HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) along side testosterone supplementation to maintain the body’s natural testosterone/sperm producing mechanisms. There are also alternative medications available.

The answer to this question will change from patient to patient. Bruising and discoloration are some of the most common side effects associated with this treatment. Many patients experience some swelling in the treatment area as well. If you do notice any swelling, bruising, or discoloration, there’s no need to be alarmed, as it should go away soon.

Some patients may not notice any side effects after their treatment, while some patients may notice multiple. It’s important to maintain open communication with your provider during the recovery process. They will give you more detailed instructions about what to expect. If you notice anything abnormal, be sure to reach out to your practitioner as soon as you can, and we can provide you with additional instructions as needed.

Our patients are eager to see the results of their P-Shot treatment. Some of our patients may need to wait a few months before they notice the results of their P-Shot in Rogers, AR. Others notice improvements within just 24 hours. You may need multiple treatments to see the optimal results. Our provider will help you schedule any additional appointments, as necessary.

If you do notice early results, you may be tempted to head to the bedroom as soon as possible, but you should wait a bit before you have sex. We recommend that you go at least a few days without having sex following your P-Shot treatment. You don’t want to risk negatively affecting the results of your procedure.

The P-Shot will not be an overly painful process. Many of our patients feel apprehensive about the idea of the P-Shot in Rogers, AR, because of the nature of the process itself. The idea of an injection in the penis can be a little disconcerting, but our patients do not report pain or irritation. 

Before we begin the process, one of our practitioners will provide you with a special numbing agent for the treatment area. We will take the time to let this numbing agent do its job, and then we begin the injection process. Let your provider know if you feel pain or irritation during the process, and we can make adjustments as necessary.

The P-Shot is designed to help repair blood vessels in the penis. Damaged blood vessels are a common cause of erectile dysfunction. Erections form when an excess of blood flows into the penis. But when the penile tissue and blood vessels are damaged, then blood may have a harder time entering the penis, resulting in softer erections.

Additionally, these erections may not last as long as they should. Of course, this isn’t the only reason someone may struggle with erectile dysfunction. There are a myriad of causes to this condition, including depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and even tobacco use. Talk to your provider to see if our ED treatment is right for you.

Hypogonadism is the clinical diagnoses given to individuals who are testosterone deficient.  It is the diagnoses that The Edge works under to provide testosterone replacement therapy.

Individuals diagnosed as being “hypogonadal” need to be on testosterone supplementation indefinitely.  There is currently no other way to raise a man’s testosterone to therapeutic levels without supplementation.

Research has shown a relation between patients with therapeutically sustained testosterone and their ability to better achieve REM sleep.  This translates to better nights sleep.

No. Please refer to the answer provided above.

Testosterone boosters and supplemental testosterone are nothing alike. In fact, studies show that that testosterone boosters provide little to no benefit for raising testosterone naturally.  Currently, the only effective means for treating a hypogonadal individual is by providing supplemental testosterone. You would be wasting your money otherwise.

The Edge currently uses testosterone cypionate at a concentration of 200 mg/ml. This is delivered by injection to an intramuscular site, ideally the outer aspect of the thigh or upper, buttock region.

No. There is no need to cycle off of testosterone when there is a clinical need for it.  Testosterone replacement therapy will suppress the body’s testosterone-producing mechanism (HPG axis).  Given enough time, some individuals may return to their normal testosterone-producing capacity while others may not.

Testosterone replacement therapy, coupled with diet and regular exercise, will translate to weight loss.  Individuals with therapeutically sustained testosterone levels have decreased belly fat.  It’s a fact. Those individuals also show a greater affinity for lean muscle development.  Individuals on testosterone replacement therapy will also have better insulin sensitivity, an important key for how our body’s store and utilize energy.

Testosterone levels are directly related to sexual interest, fuller erections, and better orgasms.  Blood panels will determine both testosterone and estrogen levels, as estrogen can play just as vital a role in sexual health as testosterone.

Energy level and testosterone levels are closely related.

NO! This is a societal myth and there is no evidence to support it.  In fact, testosterone causes an increase in nitric oxide production, which will translate to thicker erections.

No. In fact, evidence proves the exact opposite. Individuals undergoing testosterone replacement therapy have been shown to have a 50% reduction in cardiovascular events. The quick and easy: therapeutic testosterone levels strengthen not only the cardiovascular system, but decrease triglyceride and cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and improve insulin sensitivity.

Researchers have tried to make a correlation between violence and aggressive behavior and elevated testosterone levels. Studies have also shown that normal people, when given high doses of testosterone, do not become more aggressive or violent. The best conclusion that can be surmised is supplemental testosterone - when given to hypogonadal individuals to restore testosterone to therapeutic levels - will not make an individual violent or more aggressive.

The side effects of testosterone replacement therapy are minimal when care is overseen by an experienced physician. The most proactive method for avoiding complications from therapy involve regularly obtained blood panels from routine lab work. Common side effects include increased bodily oil production, acne, and accelerated male pattern baldness from increased DHT production.  Some less common side effects are polycythemia (elevated hematocrit) and elevated PSA (prostate-specific antigen).  Nominal bumps to hematocrit and PSA are normal during therapy, but in some cases men bump beyond therapeutic ranges (assessed for during blood panels).

Low testosterone is not limited to one cause. Aging, environmental stressors, and injury to the testicles can disrupt testosterone production. As men age, their ability to produce/maintain adequate testosterone levels diminishes. Secretion of hormones that further spur the testosterone-producing capacities of the testicles are affected by this diminished activity.

Environmental stressors can further disrupt production. Preservative-rich food can interfere with this process.  Food products containing soy can actually raise estrogen levels. Males with elevated estrogen levels typically have increased belly fat and less lean muscle composition.  Furthermore, increased estrogen levels can attribute to erectile dysfunction and loss of sexual interest.  Research has even shown that some plastics containing food-products can further disrupt testosterone production; such as BPA - a biochemical utilized in some plastics production.

The stress of life can negatively impact testosterone production. Increased stress is directly related to increased cortisol levels.  Cortisol is a hormone associated with inflammation and immune responses.  But elevated cortisol levels over a sustained period of time can hamper testosterone production.

In short: yes. Testosterone cypionate is classified as an AAS (anabolic-androgenic steroid).  The difference between recreational and therapeutic testosterone involves the compounds used and dosage administered.  The Edge believes in restoring men to a therapeutic testosterone level.  This means restoring men to a therapeutic range of 600-1000 ng/dL.  This therapeutic range involves weekly injections ranging between 100-200 mg/week.  Individuals taking anabolic steroids for recreational use and gain, i.e., not for the purpose of improving/ maintaining testosterone therapeutically, generally take an amount that can be two, three, four, and even five times more than the recommended dosage.

Please note: the goal of The Edge is to provide a dosage of testosterone that will restore/maintain its patients to therapeutic range.  We will not provide the means to “dose” beyond what is considered therapeutic range. 

Over time, males will experience some testicular shrinkage while undergoing testosterone replacement therapy. This is due to the impediment of the HPG axis that regulates testosterone production. The Edge utilizes HCG (human chorion gonadotropin) to maintain the HPG axis.  HCG will allow the testicles to continue testosterone manufacture, preventing testicular atrophy while reducing some shrinkage.