Around the age of 55, our bodies start to produce testosterone at a lower rate. This hormone is responsible for your facial hair, deep voice, muscle strength and the health of your sperm. But the importance of testosterone goes far deeper than this. At Male Clinic USA in Pasadena, CA, we have a deep understanding of the problems hormonal imbalances can cause. That’s why today we’re discussing if testosterone replacement therapy is right for you.
What Is Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
Testosterone replacement therapy, also known as TRT, is a type of hormone therapy. It’s important, however, to distinguish the difference between TRT and androgen replacement therapy (ART). Testosterone is a type of androgen, but general androgen replacement therapy may not resolve your symptoms of low testosterone.
Long-Term Effects of TRT
Unfortunately, you can’t stop the aging process. Once your body’s testosterone production rate has slowed, it will never “recover”. Thus, you will need to take testosterone replacement therapy for the rest of your life. Some men choose to accept their reduced sex drive and physical changes as they advance in age. Other men happily receive this therapy well into their 80s and beyond.
Research is still being conducted on the long-term effects of testosterone replacement therapy. However, a recent study of 44,000 men suffering from low-T discovered that men who used TRT to treat their low testosterone levels mitigated their risk of strokes and heart attacks by a third. Moreover, research has found that there is no increase in the risk of prostate cancer among men who take testosterone replacement supplements.
Types of TRT
There are several types of testosterone replacement therapy. During your initial consultation, we will review your lifestyle to help you determine the best form of therapy for you. Some men prefer testosterone shots or patches. Others are constantly traveling and don’t have time for patches. They prefer long-acting pellets. However, seven out of 10 men who receive TRT opt for a skin gel.
Skin Gel for Low-T
Skin gel for low-T is usually rubbed on to the upper arms or shoulders after a shower. Such gels include Vogelxo, AndroGel, and Testim. Other gels are applied to the inner and front thigh, like Fortesta. Be sure to keep the treatment site dry for several hours to ensure the gel has time to absorb fully into your skin.
Be very careful with this therapy if you have children. Don’t let them touch the site the gel was applied to. Pregnant women should also not touch the gel and be careful around towels or clothes that may have some of the gel on them.
Injection
Testosterone enanthate or testosterone cypionate (Depo-Testosterone) are testosterone replacement injections that can be administered under the skin or into a muscle. However, you must be able to commit to a regular injection schedule or else you’ll notice some of your low-T symptoms resurfacing.
If you’re uncomfortable with giving yourself injections, ask your partner if she would be willing to learn how to administer your injections at home. Otherwise, you will have to receive regular injections from a medical professional.
Testosterone undecanoate, also known as Aveed, is the only type of testosterone replacement injection that must be administered by a doctor. This deep intramuscular injection is given every 10 weeks and may be right for you if you travel frequently.
Nasal
Natesto is a testosterone gel that is pumped into the nostrils. This option is right for men with small children who may accidentally touch the treatment site of a traditional testosterone skin gel. You must be committed to your recovery if this is the option you choose. It needs to be applied twice in each nostril three times daily.
Gum and Cheek
Gum-and-cheek, or buccal cavity, testosterone replacement delivers testosterone through your buccal cavity. This natural depression occurs where your upper lip meets your gum above your top teeth. This small putty-like delivery system adheres to your gumline and passes testosterone through your gum to your bloodstream.
Implantable Pellets
Implantable pellets are right for men who are always on-the-go. Testopel is a pellet containing testosterone that is implanted beneath the skin every three to six months. If you don’t have time to rub gel on your skin daily and you don’t want a deep-muscle injection every 10 weeks, ask us about implantable pellets during your initial consultation.
Patch
Androderm is a transdermal patch that is applied to your torso or thigh each night before you go to bed. This testosterone delivery method may be right for you if you’re looking for a once-daily testosterone replacement solution with no concerns about getting a gel on clothing, sheets, or towels.
Oral Options
Recently, Jatenzo (testosterone undecanoate) was approved by the FDA for testosterone replacement. The delivery method allows testosterone to be absorbed by your lymph system, avoiding potential liver problems. If you don’t mind taking another capsule with breakfast, this testosterone replacement method may be the best choice for you.
Is It Right for Me?
Testosterone replacement therapy may be right for you if you have been diagnosed with low testosterone levels, or low-T. Starting between the ages of 30 and 40, your body’s rate of testosterone production drops by around one percent per year. This might not sound like a lot. However, 40% of men over 45 have been diagnosed with low testosterone. This includes 20% of men over 60 and 30% of men over 70. If you suffer from certain medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes or obesity, you may experience low testosterone at an even younger age.
Do I Have Low-T?
During your initial consultation, we will test your testosterone levels to diagnose you with low testosterone. You may have low testosterone if any of the following apply to you:
- Anemia (low iron)
- Depressed mood
- Irritability
- Reduced energy
- Unexplained decrease in muscle mass
- Loss of strength
- Low libido
- Loss of calcium from bones
- Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection
- Sudden increase in body fat
If you have several symptoms of low testosterone, come in for an initial consultation. We will test your testosterone levels to make sure you don’t have a more serious medical condition. For example, a depressed mood and lack of energy may be a sign you are suffering from depression rather than low-T. To diagnose low testosterone. We will review your complete medical history, conduct a thorough physical examination, and use your blood to measure your testosterone levels.
Who Should Not Take TRT
While TRT is FDA-approved for safety and efficacy in the treatment of low testosterone, it’s not right for everyone. If you’ve already been diagnosed with low testosterone, let us know during your initial consultation if any of the following apply to you:
- Sleep apnea
- Untreated heart condition
- Elevated red blood cell counts
- Prostate or breast cancer
You should be particularly diligent in following all instructions if receiving TRT while you have breast or prostate cancer that is not in remission. Most importantly, men who have not been diagnosed with low testosterone should never take TRT.
Many men purchase TRT online for the purpose of anti-aging, bodybuilding, or sexual performance enhancement. TRT should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor to treat a medical condition (low-T) rather than for off-label uses as recommended by your buddy at the gym.
Will TRT Reverse the Signs and Symptoms of Aging?
Many of the signs and symptoms of aging are caused by low testosterone levels. However, not all signs of aging can be reversed by taking TRT. Let’s look at a few signs of aging caused by low testosterone and treated by TRT.
Changes in Sexual Function
Changes in sexual function are the most common signs of aging. Most men experience a significant drop in libido in their 50s. However, they may also find they experience fewer spontaneous erections, such as those that occur during sleep.
The most unfortunate change in sexual function for many men is the decline in their sperm health and count. There’s nothing wrong with starting or expanding your family in your mid-40s when you’re more financially stable, but you may need TRT to improve your virility to make that happen.
Changes in Sleep Patterns
Low-T can also cause sleep disorders, such as insomnia. As if it’s not bad enough that you can’t get a good night’s rest: chronic sleep deprivation results in a host of terrible side effects, including irritability, memory loss, cravings for junk food and much more. Getting quality sleep is one of the best things you can do for your health, and low testosterone may be preventing you from doing that.
It’s not enough to take prescription sleeping pills. These come with their own side effects, including dependency and dry mouth. You need to treat the root cause of your insomnia. If you have low-T, TRT is probably right for you.
Physical Changes
An increase in body fat, especially around the abdomen, is one of the most dangerous signs of aging and may be caused by low testosterone. Low-T can also lead to a loss of muscle mass and decreased strength.
However, the scariest symptom of low-T is a reduction in bone density. This increases your risk of injury or death in the event of a fall. Moreover, low testosterone can result in alopecia (hair loss), lack of energy, and swollen, tender, or enlarged breasts.
Emotional Changes
Low testosterone is often the cause of memory loss, difficulty concentrating and feelings of depression or sadness. You may find yourself feeling apathetic or lacking in self-confidence. TRT can boost your self-esteem, elevate your mood, help you form new memories more efficiently, and help you focus.
If you’re only in your early 50s and can’t remember where you put your keys last night, come in for an initial consultation. We’ll run blood work on you to determine if you have low testosterone or another underlying medical condition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Testosterone Replacement Therapy
1. Will This Therapy Cause Me to Become Aggressive?
If you receive TRT to treat low-T, you will not suddenly become aggressive or mean. Aggression is a side effect of taking excess testosterone supplements when testosterone levels are already balanced.
2. Will My Insurance Cover This Treatment?
Because low-T results in the loss of bone density and increases other health risks, most insurance cover TRT less a very small co-pay. If you have already reached your deductible for the year, you should pay little to nothing out of pocket for this treatment.
Restore Your Sex Drive Today
Are you ready to rekindle your romance and rediscover your passion in the bedroom? If so, contact the dedicated medical experts at Male Clinic USA in Pasadena, CA today to schedule your initial consultation. We will help you determine if testosterone replacement therapy is right for you.
