Taking testosterone replacement therapy is a common practice in treating low testosterone levels in the body. While this type of medicine has many benefits, there are also many potential side effects and risks that should be considered. Luckily, there are a variety of options for testosterone replacement that may help to treat your symptoms.
Symptoms of low testosterone
Symptoms of low testosterone can vary from one person to another, but some common symptoms include infertility, a decrease in sex drive, and decreased physical strength. While it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about these symptoms, they may also be caused by other conditions.
Testosterone is a hormone that regulates the male sex characteristics and helps maintain facial hair and body hair. It also plays an important role in sperm production.
If your testosterone levels decrease, your doctor will likely order a blood test. You will then be referred to an endocrinologist or urologist for a medical diagnosis. Several treatment options include medication, hormone replacement therapy, and lifestyle changes.
Men may experience a decline in testosterone levels due to age, illness, or surgery. A person with diabetes or cirrhosis may experience a greater drop in testosterone levels. Medications such as antidepressants can also affect your testosterone levels.
Treatment options
Depending on the underlying cause, various treatment options exist for low testosterone levels. These options vary from natural means of boosting testosterone to prescription medications. A licensed physician is the best person to guide a patient through these options.
The most common form of testosterone replacement therapy is through injections. These can either be transdermal or subcutaneous. They are administered under the skin every few weeks.
Transdermal options include gel applications and adhesive skin patches. Some of the side effects of these options are severe acne, skin reactions, and decreased muscle tone.
There are also several options for oral testosterone replacement therapies. These include testosterone enanthate, undecanoate, and testosterone propionate. Unlike the transdermal approach, oral medications affect serum lipids and hormones. In addition, they are usually more expensive.
In general, these treatments can help treat a wide range of symptoms. They may improve sexual performance, alleviate a variety of low libido symptoms, and address medication issues.
Potential side effects
Boosting testosterone levels with testosterone replacement therapy in testosterone replacement therapy online may be an excellent way to treat low testosterone, but it comes with some risks. Men should discuss potential side effects with their healthcare provider before starting TRT.
There is some evidence that testosterone replacement therapy may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in the first two years of treatment. The FDA has approved a new labeling statement that warns patients of this risk.
Testosterone therapy has been linked to other benefits, such as increased muscle mass, better sex drive, and enhanced energy. It also can improve sleep quality for men with low testosterone. But it can come with some unpleasant side effects.
The most common side effect reported by TRT patients is an enlargement of the male breasts. Other effects include acne, hair pattern changes, trouble urinating, and liver problems.
Testosterone replacement therapy is not recommended for normal aging, and men with prostate problems should avoid it. It also should not be used by women who might become pregnant.
To the increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome
Various guidelines have recommended that an assessment of cardiovascular risk be carried out before commencing testosterone therapy. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates a box label warning of possible cardiovascular risks associated with testosterone products.
Two large observational studies have reported an increased risk of cardiovascular events in testosterone users. However, other controlled trials have not revealed any significant effects of testosterone on cardiovascular events. These include the TIMES2 study (Multi-centric, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial) and the Mantel-Haenszel sensitivity analysis.
The TIMES2 study included 220 hypogonadal men with diabetes mellitus type 2. The primary outcome of this study was the change in body fat and cholesterol. The results showed a significant decrease in IR over a year, with an overall reduction in total cholesterol. Among the other markers, there was also a decrease in HbA1c.
The testosterone group had significantly higher hematocrit levels and more edema but not more hypertension. Similarly, non-stroke cerebrovascular pathology was not different from the placebo group.