These days, it seems that we all know someone who is being treated for or is considering testosterone therapy. How do you know if you need it, and how much do you need? Read below for a brief recap of an article by The Huffington Post.
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In recent years, testosterone use in men has increased greatly, with men visiting their physicians to discuss testosterone therapy up 55 percent from 1.2 million in 2009 to 1.9 million in 2013. Part of the increase is due to an increased awareness of symptoms associated with lowered testosterone. But another part is a result of aggressive advertising campaigns that promote a “fountain of youth” myth.
The lack of testosterone can cause a variety of different symptoms. Reduced sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, depressed mood, and reduced muscle mass are some of the most common symptoms of low testosterone. But because many of these symptoms of testosterone deficiency are nonspecific, the cause of them can in fact often be multifactorial in origin and extend beyond testosterone levels alone. Attention to insomnia, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, diet, thyroid and mood disorders, relationship quality, and high life stress among many other factors must be considered alongside evaluation of hormone production for men who feel poorly.
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Loss of spontaneous non-sexual related erections, small size of the testicles, and breast tissue development or nipple discharge are distinct symptoms that an endocrine disease is a likely culprit for a man feeling unwell due to low testosterone. An accurate diagnosis of what is called primary vs. secondary hypogonadism with a medical specialist who understands detailed physical exam findings, symptom profiles, and lab and image testing procedures are important first steps in understanding whether testosterone therapy is appropriate for a man and what therapy might do for him. Testosterone therapy is of little use to an otherwise healthy guy, and therefore a man who doesn’t need testosterone but takes it anyway is only subject to possible risk of treatment.
While testosterone therapy for men who need it may provide numerous health benefits such as improved energy, mood, muscle strength and sexual function, there is also a long list of possible consequences of taking testosterone. Testosterone therapy suppresses normal testicular function, and therefore it is necessary to understand shrinkage of the testicles will likely occur with long term use as well as cause infertility for a man of any age. Another common consequence of testosterone therapy includes changes to red blood cells, and any man undergoing testosterone therapy should be monitoring regularly by a medical provider to evaluate treatment response and manage consequences of therapy.
So, what’s the ForMen take away? We suggest that if you feel you are experiencing any symptoms of low testosterone, that you consult with your doctor to discuss it with them. Together, you can find a solution that suits you and your lifestyle.
Curated article from:
The Huffington Post
