As men age, they tend to lose a portion of the hormone called testosterone. There are a lot of testosterone replacement therapy treatments that promise to restore the hormone and make the aging process stop. However, low testosterone treatment options have their pros and cons, just like everything. It can be a really good thing and help you out, especially if the low testosterone levels are caused by a medical condition. On the other hand, if it is caused by age, it may be quite dangerous to try and replace these hormones. If you are consider going to a hormone replacement therapy clinic then first, consider these things.
What is testosterone?
First things first, you need to understand what exactly testosterone is before you start thinking about testosterone replacement. Testosterone is a hormone that is prevalent in men. Women do have a portion of it but it contributes a lot to a man’s bone density, fat distribution, muscle mass, sex drive, facial and body hair, sperm production and red blood cell production. In women, testosterone contributes to many of the similar things except in a much smaller capacity.
Why do testosterone levels decrease with age?
It really is just one of those things that happen as you get older. It typically only declines about 1% per year after the man turns 30 or 40. You may or may not notice it as you get older expect when you look back at your younger years.
Why does it matter that the levels are decreasing?
Having decreased testosterone levels contributes to sexual function which means a man may have lower sexual desire and infertility. It also can affect sleep patterns and sometimes cause insomnia. A lower level of testosterone also reduces muscle and increase his body fat. It’s possible that a man could also have less energy as well. Feelings of depression or sadness may be a symptom. However, this symptoms could be because of something else as well, not just because of lower testosterone.
What are the risks of testosterone replacement therapy?
Getting testosterone replacement therapy may cause or contribute to sleep apnea which is a serious sleep disorder where you stop breathing. They can also cause acne or various negative skin reactions. It can enlarge the chest area of a man, simulating breasts. They can limit sperm production and cause testicle shrinkage as well as increase the risk of blood clots. If you begin to experience these symptoms, immediately stop treatment and the side effects should go away eventually.
What are the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy?
If the body responds correctly to the treatment then it can restore sex drive, contribute to a longer life, strengthen bones to prevent osteoporosis, help in blood sugar control to prevent diabetes and lower the risk of cardiovascular problems.
As you can see there are plenty of good things about testosterone therapy but you have to be willing to risk the disadvantages if you want to try the therapy.
If you are considering testosterone therapy, you need to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits. Your doctor will probably want to measure your levels a few times before deciding whether or not to stuff from therapy is worth the risk. If your decreased testosterone levels turn out to be from a medical condition than this could be a good reason to supplement testosterone but treating normal aging with testosterone replacement therapy is not usually recommended.
Make sure that you take your doctor’s advice. It can be disheartening to a man to find out that his testosterone levels are decreasing but your doctor will have your best interests in mind. Don’t assume that your doctor is trying to block you, he or she will merely be helping you understand that certain things happen when you age and trying to reverse them is not going to be healthy for you. If you can learn to accept the different changes in your body and mentality, your life will be a lot easier and happier. Trust your medical professional, they know more than you about the human body and even about your body in particular. You can always ask about other alternate options if they decide that testosterone therapy is not right for you.
