News

Telehealth websites offer treatment for “male menopause” despite FDA restrictions on off-label advertising

As online stores emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic’s telehealth boom, testosterone was touted as a cure-all for age-related male illnesses on various telehealth websites. However, this marketing strategy blatantly violated FDA rules that were implemented years ago to restrict low testosterone advertising. Despite these regulations, ads on platforms like Google and Facebook promised a quick fix for issues like sluggishness and low libido, leading men to believe that testosterone could be the solution to their midlife malaise. However, physicians caution against such claims, attributing these symptoms to chronic medical conditions, poor diet, or a sedentary lifestyle instead. In fact, the FDA requires all testosterone supplements to carry a warning about potential risks of heart attack and stroke.

While there are valid medical reasons for administering testosterone, such as treating hypogonadism, aiding physical transition for transgender individuals, and alleviating menopausal symptoms in women, many online dispensaries exaggerate the concept of “male menopause” to boost the sales of lucrative testosterone-boosting injectables. This practice often overlooks safety guidelines and targets vulnerable populations like military veterans.

Dr. Steven Nissen, a reputable physician from the Cleveland Clinic, expressed concerns about the misuse of testosterone prescriptions, particularly for mood and low energy issues that may not benefit from such treatment. Additionally, studies have refuted the idea that testosterone levels naturally decline in healthy men over 40, challenging the foundation of many testosterone telemedicine websites’ marketing strategies.

Despite the FDA’s prohibition on off-label advertising, the testosterone supplement market continues to grow, driven by manufactured demand and high markups on these products. While testosterone replacement therapy can be beneficial for certain medical conditions, its misuse and overprescription have raised ethical concerns, especially in the context of telehealth platforms that offer easy access to prescription medications without proper medical supervision.

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It is essential for individuals seeking testosterone treatment to consult with qualified healthcare providers rather than relying on online platforms that promote misleading claims and potentially dangerous practices. While testosterone therapy can offer benefits in specific cases, its indiscriminate use without medical oversight can lead to serious health risks and long-term dependency on hormone medication.

As advocates for evidence-based healthcare policy, it is crucial to raise awareness about the risks associated with inappropriate testosterone prescriptions and to encourage patients to seek professional medical guidance for their health concerns. By promoting responsible medical practices and discouraging misleading marketing tactics, we can safeguard the well-being of individuals seeking hormone therapy and uphold the standards of ethical healthcare delivery.

Intellectuals Insider

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News

Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?

Now may be the time to buy gold following a recent lull in its price.

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The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.

This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.

In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?

Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.

Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?

With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:

Prices may rise again

If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.

But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.

Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.

You may be able to make a quick profit

Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.

Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.

There are other benefits of investing in gold

There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:

Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.

The bottom line

Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.

Joshua Rodriguez

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he’s not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids, two dogs and two ducks.