Testosterone Replacement Therapy: What You Need to Know
- 14 Nov 2019
- #General Wellness
- #Health Awareness
- #Men's Health
Testosterone is what gives men their characteristics - deep voices, facial and body hair, large muscles, production of sperms, and high libido. It is also known to increase bone strength and density, while also taking care of the heart.
However, with age, testosterone levels in men begin to decline. A study showed that low levels of testosterone were present in 20% of men above 60 years of age, 30% of men above 70 years, and 50% of men above 80 years of age.
Extremely low levels of testosterone may sometimes cause long-term effects on the body. It can lead to erectile dysfunction, lowered sex drive, tiredness and fatigue, and weakened bones (which may translate to a condition called osteoporosis).
But there are ways in which one can manage their testosterone levels. Here is everything you need to know about testosterone and testosterone replacement therapy.
Testosterone levels are generally at their highest during adolescence and early adulthood. With age, typically after 30, testosterone levels decline by approximately 1% every year. It is important to consult a doctor to know what might be the real reason.
Here are some of the reasons why your testosterone levels might be low:
When there is damage to the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus, one may develop secondary hypogonadism. These parts of the brain control hormone production by the testes and any damage to it may result in lower production of testosterone.
Inherited or disease conditions in this category include:
Acquired circumstances that can lead to secondary hypogonadism include:
Certain lifestyle choices like alcoholism and smoking are known to contribute to low levels of testosterone. However, a healthy diet is key to maintaining testosterone levels in your body. Here are 6 foods that can lower your sex drive.
You may feel tired or drained often, and it may just be due to work stress or age. However, for some, it may also be a case of low testosterone. If your test results show very low levels of testosterone, your doctor may suggest testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), also known as Androgen Replacement Therapy (ART) is a hormone replacement therapy used to counter low levels of testosterone in a man. TRT is advised only when you’ve been diagnosed with hypogonadism.
You may have multiple questions if you’ve been advised TRT or are planning to consult your doctor regarding the same. Here are some of the top questions about TRT answered.
Like any other treatment method, there are a few side effects involved in TRT. Some of them are:
However, most of the times, the benefits outweigh the potential risks, making TRT a choice for many men who are suffering from Hypogonadism.
Abnormally low levels of testosterone might need TRT to boost hormonal levels. This can make you feel energetic and bring back your sex drive as well. However, during treatment, the body stops making testosterone, and stopping the therapy can present big differences since testosterone production isn’t fully recovered.
TRT can be administered in multiple ways and your doctor will recommend based on your lifestyle and medical needs. Testosterone Replacement Therapy methods include:
Consult your doctor to know more about each of these methods in detail to know which one is best suited for you.
TRT is not a cure for your low levels of testosterone. So you will have to keep taking it indefinitely. However, testosterone replacement therapy can be taken in microdoses as well to take in only some amounts of testosterone for physical changes.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy has been a long-standing treatment method for hypogonadism. However, if only low levels of testosterone is your concern, try changing your lifestyle and diet to help boost testosterone levels naturally.
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