Testosterone is a primary sex hormone in men responsible for developing many physical characteristics. However, with age, testosterone levels start decreasing.
If you experience low testosterone, you must determine if it is due to normal aging or hypogonadism. The latter affects the ability to produce normal amounts of testosterone because of problems with the testicles. Low testosterone symptoms can include low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, reduced muscle mass, fatigue, and poor energy levels.
Getting testosterone therapy might sound promising if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of low testosterone. You can get trt online legally from companies that comply with federal guidelines. However, they are some misconceptions about the treatment that you need to know. If you’re considering getting testosterone replacement therapy, here are essential things you need to know about testosterone replacement therapy.
- The therapy can help you find some peace of mind
Undergoing testosterone replacement therapy can reduce mood swings and improve your mental clarity. Most men with lower testosterone levels have a poorer quality of life with symptoms like fatigue, irritability, and depression. The treatment can benefit men with hypogonadism, ensuring a better mood and peace of mind.
Men often report improvement in mood after testosterone replacement. The effects of testosterone treatment on mood vary. Some men are ecstatic about the response to testosterone therapy, with the majority having a positive response to the treatment. Low testosterone is associated with several symptoms and can manifest in other ways, such as depression or anxiety. It also contributes to a reduction in motivational self-confidence. The testosterone replacement therapy reverses the effects of hypogonadism.
- It can improve your health and well-being
Some symptoms of low testosterone can affect your quality of life. You can improve your overall health and well-being by undergoing testosterone replacement therapy. Studies have shown that testosterone replacement therapy improves cognitive function and increases muscle mass. Men with high testosterone also have a reduced incidence of Alzheimer’s because testosterone is linked with verbal memory and faster processing speed.
Testosterone plays a critical role in bone mineral density. Since bone density is reduced as men age, getting the testosterone treatment helps with strong bones and an athletic body. The testosterone treatment can increase bone density, muscle mass, and insulin sensitivity in some men.
- It can improve your sex life
Testosterone replacement therapy can give you renewed energy if you’re experiencing sexual dysfunction and performance issues. There is an improvement in energy levels, sex drive, and quality of erections after testosterone replacement therapy. The treatment benefits your sexual health and performance for men with hypogonadism, boosting the sexual drive or desire for sexual activity.
The testosterone replacement therapy can also improve erectile dysfunction. In most cases, testosterone levels rise in response to sexual arousal and activity. This explains why individuals with more testosterone usually have greater sexual activity. Older men will benefit from testosterone replacement therapy because it improves libido and erectile function.
- You will undergo extensive blood work
Low testosterone or hypogonadism is diagnosed with blood tests measuring the level of testosterone in the body. This means you’ll have to undergo blood tests in the morning when testosterone levels are the highest. If your doctor prescribes testosterone replacement therapy, he follows up with blood tests for testosterone levels and hematocrit.
You will have a tube of blood taken from a vein in your arm or finger to test the testosterone levels. Inform your doctor if you take any drugs or herbal medicines because some drugs can affect your test results. They may repeat the blood test if the results show a very low testosterone level. The hormone specialist will perform extensive blood work to identify your deficiencies before tailoring treatment.
In most cases, the profession starts by seeing you at least once every three months to run simple tests and blood work. The tests are required to help optimize treatment and determine if the testosterone injections are working well for you. The monitoring and blood work are needed to see that there is enough testosterone.
- Consider the risks before undertaking the procedure
As with any modern medical procedure, testosterone replacement therapy involves some risks. Some side effects of testosterone replacement therapy include sleep disturbances, breast enlargement, increased urination, reduced testicular size, decreased sperm count, and cardiovascular health problems. You may also experience shortness of breath or trouble breathing, chest pain, and weakness in one part or side of the body.
The testosterone replacement therapy can cause sleep apnea or worsen it in older people. There’s also the risk of stimulating prostate cancer after undergoing testosterone replacement therapy. Experts often recommend screening for prostate cancer before starting the replacement therapy. Anyone who has prostate cancer should avoid testosterone treatment.
Bottom Line
As you age, the testosterone level gradually declines. You may need to consider whether normal aging or hypogonadism is causing low testosterone levels. This condition hampers the ability to produce a normal amount of testosterone by affecting the testicles or the pituitary gland that controls the testicles. Testosterone replacement therapy is the only FDA-approved for men diagnosed with hypogonadism. While it might seem like the ultimate anti-aging formula, it has many factors to consider before undertaking it. This article has looked at five things about testosterone replacement therapy, including the risks and benefits.