About a week ago, @systemlord suggested I read about Nitric Oxide and its relationship to T levels and erections. Prior, I had read only a limited amount of information, primarily looking for valid reviews of Arginine and Citrulline, specifically looking for data on whether these supplements actually work to boost Nitric Oxide.
I found very little data I could depend on. In other words, no one who posted had anything other than their feelings to go on - no tests were taken to verify any findings. And the feelings were mixed, from “no good” to “really helped me”. I also found that most people wrote about the effects of these supplements on their “work outs” rather than erections.
I was curious how one tests for nitric oxide. On Amazon, I found “Saliva Nitric Oxide Test Strips” made by Berkeley (a respectable company). I ordered and they arrived a few days later.
The test strips work by testing “EXCESS” NO that is in the saliva. In other words, if the body has enough NO, it excess is passed in breath (and saliva) and the tests would show a higher reading since the body was satiated.
The main instructions were: No eating within 2 hours of the test; no drinking within 10 minutes of the test; and mornings were best to administer the test. I decided to stretch that a little further.
I woke up at 1:13am with an erection, and had to pee. I decided to see if the erection and high NO levels were related.
I woke up again at 4:22am with an erection. I took the second NO test. The amount of NO had decreased since the first test.
I tested again at 9:30am after breakfast (for me, a protein bar). According to the data, this is the best time to determine your true NO levels. My NO levels did not change.
I tested again at 3:30pm, also after a meal, and didn’t noticeably see any difference.
Overall, 3 out of the 4 tests show DEPLETED NO levels, while one shows LOW.
What next? I don’t know. I will send these results to my doctor for an opinion. It does concern me though, and makes me wonder if this is potentially a contributing factor to my problems.
In a study on NO, it was found that “Serum NO(x) concentration peaked at 50-59 years in both genders” (Serum nitric oxide metabolite levels in a general healthy population: relation to sex and age - PubMed) … which means I should be at my HIGHEST in my life right now – not the lowest on the scale.
I found one study from UCLA on these supplements (https://www.mensjournal.com/food-drink/supplement-guide-nitric-oxide/) and they actually SUGGEST an herbalife product as part of the study. I am not an herbalife fan, but that surprised me that they mentioned a product by name/brand. Of course it is the most expensive of all that I found.
Another study: https://academic.oup.com/cardiovascres/article/43/3/658/321047
I also mentioned to a friend in passing that my penis doesn’t feel “spongy” any more, unless I were to take a Viagra - then it feels “Normal”. I read where that “sponginess” MIGHT be related to Nitric Oxide. This is so frustrating.