As we begin to age, completely naturally, our testosterone begins to diminish, and the prospect of testosterone therapy might sound particularly appealing. However, many misconceptions surround testosterone therapy, which we will hope to dispel in this article - there are some things that testosterone replacement therapy can do you for, and some things that it cannot.
In this article, we will hope to demystify testosterone replacement therapy and tell you how it works. If you are interested in pursuing testosterone replacement therapy, then this will be the article for you.
So, what is testosterone replacement therapy, and how does it work?
What Is Testosterone?
Testosterone is a hormone that is produced in your testicles and can help to maintain a man’s fat distribution, the strength of his muscles and muscle mass, his red blood cell production, a man’s sex drive, sperm production, and bone density. Testosterone is fundamentally important to a man’s life – if you do not produce optimum testosterone then you can begin to suffer several negative effects, including but not limited to, fatigue , malaise, and a lack of motivation.
How Does Testosterone Deplete?
As men grow older, their testosterone levels begin to wane. In their teenage years, their testosterone peaks and continues into early adulthood. By the time a man reaches their thirtieth birthday, their testosterone levels will deplete by around one percent per year. Low testosterone can also be caused by a disease known as hypogonadism.
Hypogonadism can hinder your body’s ability to produce testosterone due to an issue in the testicles or the pituitary gland, which controls the endocrine system. If you have very low levels of testosterone, then you must find out whether or not it is due to disease or if it is due to naturally low levels. Testosterone therapy is often used to improve levels of testosterone in men with a low testosterone count.
Do Low Levels of Testosterone Cause Premature Aging?
In some cases, testosterone may cause premature aging, though often indirectly. One of the main symptoms associated with premature aging linked to low levels of testosterone and one feared by a number of men, are changes to sexual ability, desire, and function. Men with low levels of testosterone often experience fewer erections and, in some cases, can become infertile. Changes in a man’s testosterone levels may be damaging to a man’s self-esteem. This is often the catalyst for men pursuing testosterone replacement therapy.
Changes in a man’s body, such as increased body fat, reduced muscle density and strength, and loss of hair on the body may be associated with reduced levels of testosterone, as well as aging. Men with lower testosterone tend to have much lower energy. This may make them feel much older than they really are and can also contribute to aging.
One of the most prevalent symptoms of reduced testosterone is emotional changes, such as depression and anxiety. Emotional changes in men may be hard to treat, especially if they are caused by reduced levels of testosterone. Often the best way to treat them is by increasing the man’s level of testosterone. Men with lower levels of testosterone will often have much lower levels of motivation than men with normal levels. According to a specialist testosterone replacement therapy clinic in Atlanta , Georgia, a blood test will be required to evaluate testosterone levels, as this will often be one of the last treatments if a cause for a man’s emotional problems cannot be found.
Youth, Rejuvenation, And Testosterone Therapy
Testosterone therapy may be used to treat men suffering from hypogonadism and may potentially help men that are losing testosterone with age but are healthy in all other respects. Men do tend to feel much younger when they take testosterone supplements, medication or engage in testosterone therapy. When a person begins to engage in testosterone treatment , they may begin to feel vigorous and more youthful. There is also a strong body of evidence to suggest that men may have their sexual function improved.
Are There Risks?
When you begin to undergo testosterone therapy, you must understand there can potentially be risks associated with it, though the risks are often only present in people who already suffer from pre-existing conditions, such as sleep apnoea . Sufferers from sleep apnoea may have their symptoms worsen considerably during testosterone replacement. Similarly, if you have acne your acne may grow worse. Men may also develop benign prostatic growths, their breasts may enlarge, sperm production may become limited or their testicles may shrink. Red blood cell production may also increase, heightening the risk of blood clots. With all of that said, negative side-effects are incredibly unlikely and are not something experienced by every single person that undergoes this type of treatment.
Speaking To A Doctor
As with any medical treatment or ongoing therapy, you should speak to a doctor if you are interested in having testosterone replacement therapy. While side-effects are often minimal, it is always worthwhile running any potential treatment past your doctor. Your doctor may support the suggestion, or he may offer an alternative treatment. If you do not agree with your own personal doctor’s decision, then you may want to get a second opinion from another doctor. With that said, you must not just go from doctor to doctor until you find the one that gives you the answer that you want.
Most doctors, however, will not advocate against testosterone therapy unless you are particularly at risk of suffering from negative side-effects, or if you do not need to take it, and undergoing the therapy would be virtually pointless.