A condition of hypogonadism or Low testosterone in men means they are missing a vital thing that helps them to improve their health and sex life. In this blog, we will have a detailed discussion on testosterone deficiency, how natural treatments and advanced testosterone replacement therapy help to regain sexual strength.
Understanding testosterone, as an important hormone:
Testosterone is also known as a sex hormone that helps a boy become a man who is capable of reproducing. Low testosterone levels in men can affect their sex drive, muscle and bone strength, erections, and mental health. This particular hormone indicates the stage of puberty and helps a man develop muscle mass, body hair, and a deeper voice; it defines overall men’s health. The condition of low testosterone develops when the body is unable to produce enough testosterone to meet the average physiological requirement. The low testosterone problem has become a common health condition in men.
According to a study, about 2 out of 5 men over the age of 45 have been suffering from low testosterone; this condition becomes more critical with age. Other than ageing, pituitary gland disorders, injury to the testes, diabetes, obesity, chronic illnesses, use of certain medications, or genetic conditions could result in low testosterone levels. Since this hormone is directly responsible for producing sperm in men, low testosterone treatment is necessary to protect their masculinity. The average normal testosterone level in men is 270-1,070 ng/dL.
Low testosterone symptoms:
Identifying low testosterone symptoms early helps a man to seek timely treatment before further complications develop. There are both sexual and physical symptoms of low testosterone.
Sexual signs of low testosterone are:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Reduced sexual desire, or low libido
- Lack of excitement for sex
- Lack of tightness in the penis
- Low sperm count
- Infertility
Nonsexual or physical symptoms are:
- Lower energy
- Fatiguea
- Obesity
- Lowering muscle mass
- Depression
- Osteoporosis or fragile bones
- Anemia
- Declining red blood cell production
Low testosterone treatment:
Before initiating any testosterone therapy, a healthcare professional conducts certain tests to diagnose the condition. A blood test detects low testosterone in men. If the level of this hormone consistently remains below 300 ng/dL, it indicates low testosterone. A prostate-specific antigen test can also be conducted to see if there are any signs of prostate cancer. A red blood cell count test can also be performed to assess testosterone levels. There is no one best treatment for low testosterone in men because every patient has different medical requirements. Low testosterone treatment is highly individualized and usually depends on age, severity of condition, cause of deficiency, fertility goals, as well as the patient’s preference.
Available options to treat low testosterone
Testosterone replacement therapy is the most effective treatment option available to restore testosterone levels in men and help relieve associated symptoms. The medical treatment is delivered via the following ways:
- Testosterone injection: This treatment involves testosterone injections that are meant to be given into the muscles at an interval of a few weeks. Men can take the help of a doctor to administer injections or inject them on their own with caution. Some long-lasting testosterone can be injected every 10weeks. But it is always best to have them in a doctor’s clinic.
- Gel for Testosterone: This method allows men to apply testosterone gels to the skin regularly. Make sure you don’t transfer the gel to another person via skin-to-skin contact while it’s wet. Testosterone in gel form is one of the most common forms of testosterone replacement therapy in the US.
- Testosterone patches: Another method is to apply testosterone patches to your skin every day as advised by your health care provider. Generally, it is advisable to switch locations to avoid unwanted skin reactions.
- Testosterone pellets: A relatively new form of treatment, testosterone pellets are inserted under the skin of the buttocks. It helps increase testosterone levels for 3-4 months. This method provides consistent and long-term testosterone dosages.
- Testosterone nasal gel: In this method, a testosterone gel is applied thrice daily into each nostril.
- Oral testosterone: This includes intake of a pill meant to be taken twice a day.
- Buccal testosterone system: Under the Buccal system, a Buccal formation containing a patch or gel of testosterone is placed in the mouth between the upper gums and cheek. It’s richly vascularized and more accessible than other non-oral drug administration methods. This patch is changed every 12 hours.
A lot of men are interested in picking the low testosterone treatment without injections as they prefer avoiding needles. For such patients, gel, patches, implants, and buccal tablets help restore hormonal balance.
Testosterone therapy for hypogonadism
Men dealing with hormone-producing disorders often receive testosterone therapy for hypogonadism. In the case of primary hypogonadism, the testes are unable to produce an adequate amount of testosterone. In men, with secondary hypogonadism, the pituitary gland or hypothalamus fails to send the right hormonal signals. The hypogonadism treatment functions to restore healthy testosterone levels while monitoring prostate health, blood counts, cholesterol, and cardiovascular risk factors.
Low testosterone treatment after 40: Such men who are in their 40s should undergo proper medical evaluation if they develop low testosterone symptoms. Their symptoms are purely due to ageing. Testosterone therapy, when used under the guidance of a healthcare expert, can help many middle-aged men regain the same strength while improving overall quality of life.
Also Read: Men need to have a guide to erectile dysfunction
Testosterone replacement therapy benefits and risks
It is very common to think about concerns related to testosterone therapy. Like any other pharmaceutical treatment, the benefits and risks should be discussed carefully with the healthcare specialist for testosterone replacement therapy. Potential benefits include improved libido, increased energy, increased bone density, greater muscle strength, better erectile function, improved concentration, enhanced mood, and better exercise performance.
On the other hand, some possible side effects of low testosterone therapy and their severity may vary from person to person. These side effects on men’s health can include:
- Sharp rise in red blood cell count
- Acne
- Swelling of different body parts
- Infertility
- Breast swelling
- Smaller testicles
- Impulsive sexual excitement
Cautions for TRT – TRT is not an anti-ageing method, so it doesn’t enhance men’s performance beyond a certain age. Those men who don’t have any low testosterone symptoms are not recommended to take TRT. And it should not be taken before a certain age, as you should not try TRT to enforce puberty in a child; it can reduce the sperm count and hamper fertility.
Also Read: Ways to Boost Your Metabolism
Natural tips to increase testosterone
Well, not every patient with a mild decline in testosterone levels requires medical treatment. For such patients, lifestyle modifications can support healthy testosterone production. How to raise testosterone naturally? Apart from the medication route, the natural methods include:
- Regular workout (strength training and aerobic exercise)
- Lose weight
- Consumption of mineral and vitamin-rich foods
- Optimize the levels of vitamin D in the body
- Live a stress-free life
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle
- Cut on sugar and salt
Verdict!
Low testosterone or hypogonadism doesn’t mean a permanent obstacle to good health. All thanks to low testosterone treatments that make it easier and safer for a man to achieve lost vitality. Treatment approaches like testosterone replacement therapy help restore overall well-being.
