By Stuart Macdonald

SCIENTISTS at a Scots firm have devised a miracle gel to pep up middle-aged men's sex lives.

The revolutionary treatment Tostran will also combat other effects of lack of testosterone, such as flabbiness and hair loss.

It is aimed at men over 40 who suffer from hypogonadism, a condition which causes reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, baldness, weight gain, and lethargy.

Makers ProStrakan, based in Galashiels, Selkirkshire, estimate six to 12 per cent of men over 40 have the condition, rising to 91 per cent of men over 80.

Men experience a natural decline in the production of the male hormone testosterone from the age of about 30.

The colourless gel, available on prescription at a cost of NHS to the NHS, is applied to the shoulders, upper arms or abdomen.

It releases a synthetic version of testosterone slowly into the bloodstream and normal levels are restored in most men within hours.

The gel's launch in the UK came after it was piloted in Sweden and became a huge hit with Scandinavian men.

Previous testosterone replacement therapies have had unpleasant side-effects such as acne, headaches and even enlarged breasts.

Dr Wilson Totten, chief executive of Prostrakan, said they hoped to soon launch the product across Europe and America.

He said: "Tostran represents a high-potential, high-value opportunity for us and its UK launch is a major milestone in the group's development."

By Sandy Tonsing

Just because smoking is hard to quit and that you had been continuously failing in your attempt to quit doesn’t mean that quitting is impossible. Though there are many people who relapse there are also a number of people who bid adieu to cigarette for good. Its not a lost case even if you fail for uncountable times, there are many in your league. There would hardly be a smoker who could quit in his first attempt. Therefore, don’t lose heart just believe in yourself, YOU CAN DO IT!

It is an undeniable fact that it is not easy to quit smoking. Nicotine is one of the most difficult addictions to let go. The withdrawal symptoms and the craving are one of the most difficult phases to pass through. It is because of this that many quitters relapse. Due to the want of Nicotine the body undergoes a stage of depression, uneasiness, lethargy, dizziness, restlessness etc, and knowing that just by smoking the body will be feeling good again we often fail to stand firm in our resolution.

Nicotine gets into the brain and activates the neurotransmitter dopamine which gives a rewarding feeling, so, when we smoke we feel good and in no time we get addicted and our body wants to get that feeling again and again. When the level of nicotine is low we begin to feel the craving, the want to have that feel good factor once again overwhelm us. So, we end up lighting again after every short interval.

There are various methods which help many smokers to successfully quit smoking. Medical as well as non- medical treatments are available. The non-medical treatments are an aid on to the medical treatments mostly to enhance an effective way to really quit smoking. The medical treatments are in the form of Nicotine replacement therapy and pills.

Nicotine replacement therapy comes in the form of lozenges, gums, inhaler, patches and nasal spray. They are approved by the FDA as a treatment for anti-smoking. As the name suggest they are used as a replacement to the harmful Nicotine.

By Syble James

Most men have prostate changes that are not cancer. But between an infection and prostate cancer lies a nonmalignant but bothersome disorder called BPH. Here's how BPH can disrupt a man's life and how simple lifestyle changes can help keep it flowing smoothly.

The primary job of the prostate is to produce fluid for semen. However, it can be quite bothersome - to say the least. It is prone to infections (prostatitis), enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and full-blown cancer. It is located just below the bladder and surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the bladder. Normally the prostate is about the size and shape of a walnut.

As part of the normal aging process, it enlarges. By age 40, it can grow slightly larger, to the size of an apricot. By age 60, it may be the size of a lemon. This growth can cause the prostate to press against the urethra, slowing down or blocking the flow of urine out of the bladder. The blocking of the urethra and the gradual loss of bladder function are responsible for many of the problems associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is pronounced "be-NINE prah-STAT-ik HY-per-PLAY-zha". Benign means "not cancer", and hyperplasia means "excessive growth."

Symptoms of BPH

Although BPH is not linked to cancer and does not increase the risk of prostate cancer, the symptoms for BPH and prostate cancer can be similar. BPH symptoms rarely start before age fifty, but almost 50 percent of men in their sixties and about 90 percent of men in their seventies show some signs of BPH.