While testosterone supplementation may assist some men, the advantages for individuals with normal
In the United States, testosterone treatment is becoming more prevalent, with more than 2 million men taking it. While the popularity of the therapies is rising among older guys in the hopes of improving libido, the effectiveness of the treatments for men, and even more so for women, is debatable. (1)
Hypogonadism, or Low Testosterone, is a condition in which a person’s testosterone levels are abnormally low.
“In men who truly have low testosterone, a medical condition known as hypogonadism, they can be suffering from a variety of very serious ailments, such as low strength and endurance, bone loss, and heart trouble, and going on testosterone is important for those guys,” says Aaron Spitz, MD, assistant clinical professor in the department of urology at the University of California in Irvine and author of The Penis Book. “However, taking additional testosterone does not provide the same benefits for men with normal testosterone levels.
It’s unclear which guys will gain the most from testosterone therapy. Low T syndrome is also controversial because many men who exhibit symptoms associated with low testosterone actually have normal testosterone levels when tested. Low testosterone levels can be caused by a variety of factors, including thyroid issues, diabetes, depression, and drug adverse effects. Treatment of these underlying issues may help to boost testosterone levels in the body.
Who Can Testosterone Replacement Therapy Help?
Men with hypogonadism, a disorder in which the body is unable to create normal quantities of testosterone, have been proven to benefit from testosterone replacement treatment. Hypogonadism can have a negative influence on the quality of life, whereas testosterone can affect metabolism, cognitive function, bone, and body composition. The following are some of the most common causes of primary hypogonadism.
- Klinefelter’s Syndrome is a condition that affects people. This is a chromosomal X and Y chromosome anomaly that occurs at birth. A guy has one X and one Y chromosome by default. Two or more X chromosomes, as well as one Y chromosome, are present in Klinefelter’s syndrome.
- Testicles that haven’t descended When a baby is born, one or both testicles may not descend from the abdominal cavity into the scrotum. This problem usually resolves on its own within the first few years of life, but if not handled in childhood, it can lead to decreased testosterone levels.
- Orchitis in Mumps A mumps infection in adolescence or adulthood can harm the testes and lower testosterone production.
- Hemochromatosis Too much iron in the blood can affect testosterone production by causing difficulties in the testicles and pituitary gland.
- Injury to the testicles Hypogonadism can be caused by injury to one or both testicles, however, damage to only one may not affect testosterone production.
- Treatment for cancer Chemotherapy and radiation can cause testosterone and sperm production to be disrupted. The consequences are frequently transient, although lifelong infertility might develop.
- Aging is a natural process. Testosterone levels normally decline as a man ages, but testosterone treatment may not always generate positive outcomes.
What is the Testosterone Therapy Treatments?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved testosterone treatment for males with hypogonadism at this time. (5) Nonetheless, testosterone can be administered off-label for men who haven’t been diagnosed with prostate cancer. (6) Request a blood test from your doctor, or seek advice from an endocrinologist or urologist.
How Is Testosterone Therapy Administered and Prescribed?
There are five distinct methods to take testosterone, according to the American Urological Association. No approach is regarded superior to another, and your doctor will test your blood to determine your testosterone levels while you are undergoing treatment. The five approaches are as follows: (7)
- Transdermal (transdermal) (Topical) The effects endure for around four days and come in the form of gels, lotions, liquids, and patches. Apply to dry skin without wounds or scratches, wait until it’s time to apply another dosage before washing the area, and wash your hands afterward. Women and children, in particular, should not handle the drug.
- Injections There are testosterone injections that are both short-acting and long-acting. The short-acting medication can be injected into muscle tissue or delivered under the skin. The muscle is normally given the long-acting one. Injections are commonly administered once a week, twice a week, or once a month.
- Oral The dosage is in the form of a patch that is worn over your eyetooth and should not be consumed since tablet versions of testosterone can affect the liver. It’s possible that the patch can give you headaches or irritate your gums.
- Intranasal This testosterone comes in the form of a gel that is sprayed into the nostrils three times a day.
- Pellets A doctor places pellets under the skin of your upper hip or buttocks. To numb the skin, a dose of local anesthetic is given, and a tiny incision is made to insert the pellets into the fatty tissues beneath your skin. They disintegrate slowly and are released over three to six months.
What Are the Side Effects of Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
Long-term testosterone replacement medication may have harmful consequences on cardiovascular health, as well as an increased risk of prostate cancer, breast cancer, and sleep apnea, according to some scientific research.
The FDA advises testosterone users to seek medical help right once if they have signs of a heart attack or stroke, such as:
- Pain in the chest
- Breathing difficulties or shortness of breath
- Slurred speech due to weakness in one region or side of the body
According to Dr. Spitz, when men who do not have low testosterone levels begin treatment, it can have a negative impact on their own testosterone production. “When a guy takes shots, gels, or pellets, his natural testosterone production is suppressed. When therapy is stopped, it returns in the great majority of men, but it might take months to recharge.”