Testosterone therapy can help a patient regain normal levels of testosterone (T). Testicles produce testosterone. This hormone is responsible for secondary male characteristics. A few examples of these are facial hair, deep voice, and muscular build. This hormone also regulates libido and sexual performance. Men who have low levels of T need hormone replacement. If you want to know more about testosterone therapy, here are the details.
Most men receive testosterone therapy because of symptoms and low testosterone levels. Some men do not have any symptoms at all. Doctors may try to address the symptoms first. The doctor may change the patient’s medications or help with weight loss. The doctor will suggest hormone replacement if the patient is a good candidate for it. There are many ways to give T to patients.
Oral therapy involves taking T pills or capsules. The hormone enters the digestive system and then goes to the small intestines for absorption. Some patients apply T skin patches every 24 hours. This happens at night when the patch releases T in small amounts through the skin.
Topical T gels can go on the skin, thighs, upper arms, and shoulders. Washing hands after applying and covering the area with clothing will prevent exposing other people to the hormone. The doctor will administer different formulations every one to two weeks. The patient’s T levels can increase for three days and then decrease at a slow pace. This can cause fluctuations in energy and mood levels.
Testosterone therapy can also come in the form of pellets. The doctor will implant these T pellets under the skin of the buttocks or hips. The pellets will release the T hormone. Replacing the pellets every three to six months is necessary. Most patients experience symptom improvement four to six weeks into testosterone therapy.
For many patients, testosterone therapy helps reverse hypogonadism. They often report being more vigorous when taking T medications. Patients can also feel younger while taking testosterone medications. It also improves the patient’s energy levels and vitality.
Taking this type of therapy can worsen sleep apnea. This is a disorder involving breathing pauses while sleeping. It can also worsen prostate cancer or stimulate non-cancerous prostate growths. Testosterone therapy can cause skin reactions like acne breakouts.
Some men experience shrinking in their testicles or breast enlargement. Others experience an increase in the production of red blood cells. This increases the patient’s risk of forming a clot. The clot could loosen and then travel to the lungs, impeding blood flow. This results in pulmonary embolism.
Men with prostate cancer must not have this therapy. Those who do not know if they have prostate cancer should have a prostate cancer screening first before having this therapy. Patients with high hematocrit levels and sleep apnea should not take this therapy. Those with severe CHF (congestive heart failure) must refrain from having testosterone therapy as well.
Knowing everything you can about T therapy can help you prepare for the treatment. It is never easy to admit that you need hormone therapy. Of course, discretion is always a priority among doctors. An appointment with your doctor can explain the treatment before you start testosterone therapy.
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