Last year, USADA announced that 2014 black belt IBJJF World and 2015 World Pro Champion Felipe Pena known as ‘Preguica’ had tested positive for testosterone and accepted a one-year sanction for his doping offense:

Pena claims that Testosterone cream is the cause. After a thorough review of the case, USADA accepted Pena’s explanation that his positive test was caused by his use of a testosterone cream provided to him by a healthcare provider.

USADA in a statement yesterday announced that Felipe Pena’s doctor Dr. Beno Faria of Belo Horizonte, Brazil would receive a four-year sanction for encouraging Pena to use a the banned testosterone cream.

What is the testosterone cream that Felipe Pena used?

Benefits: Topical testosterone (cream or gel) is used to treat men who have hypogonadism, a condition that interferes with a man’s ability to produce testosterone.  It helps in the development of sex organs, sperm, and sex drive. The hormone also helps maintain classic male characteristics like muscle strength and mass, facial and body hair, and deep vocal tones.

Topical testosterone cream or gel are controlled substances (CIII), and daily testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) that can help bring your T levels back to normal with daily use. In a clinical study of 274 men who had Low Testosterone, some used testosterone cream and some used placebo. Of the men who used testosterone cream once daily for 16 weeks, 82% had their testosterone levels returned to normal compared to 37% of those who used placebo.

Felipe Pena issued the following statement accusing the doctor of encouraging him to take the testosterone cream:

“At a certain point before the World Championships last year, I was given some advice from a doctor in Belo Horizonte, the city where I live and teach. This person was also a student of mine, a close personal friend, and someone that I trusted deeply. This doctor performed a series of tests, and, after reviewing the results, gave me a topical cream that contained testosterone.

“I made it absolutely clear that I did not want to take anything that was against the rules. I was told that this was a normal medication, frequently prescribed, and that I would not be violating any rules. Unfortunately, to my great disappointment, this turned out not to be the case. Thankfully, I have been able to prove, through messages and conversation records, that I was following a doctor’s instructions — doing something which I was lead to believe was permissible — and therefore unknowingly broke the rules.

“My suspension has subsequently been reduced, and will end shortly after this year’s World Championships. I want to be clear: I have never taken any anabolic, or received injections of any kind. I have always been completely against doing so, and I have always enjoyed competing in weight categories above my natural weight, in order to prove my technique against competitors bigger and stronger than myself.

“During the course of our lives, certain things happen that are temporarily discouraging, but which prove to be for the greater good in the end. Much can be learned during difficult times, and I believe this will ultimately make me a stronger and better person. I have to admit I was stupid and naive in this matter, and learn from my mistake. I sincerely apologize to all my fans, and to anyone and everyone who loves and follows my work.”