Only men with symptoms of low testosterone and blood levels who confirm that this is the cause of the symptoms should consider replacing testosterone. A low testosterone level alone doesn't need treatment.
Testosterone replacement therapy
can have side effects and the long-term risks are unknown. Talking to your doctor is the only way to know if testosterone therapy is right for you. Testosterone replacement is most commonly prescribed to treat problems with libido, sexual enjoyment, and orgasm in patients who are postmenopausal or who have undergone an ovariectomy.Up to 50 percent of postmenopausal women have sexual dysfunction,42 and a low level of testosterone has been correlated with a lower frequency of intercourse in these women, 43 Several small studies conducted on postmenopausal women demonstrate their efficacy for sexual dysfunction; however, they all used testosterone combined with estrogen (Table. Whatever the cause, low testosterone levels can not only result in decreased sexual desire and function, but they can also contribute to a variety of symptoms, such as decreased muscle mass, weight gain, mood changes, fatigue, and even osteoporosis (weakening of bones). Erectile dysfunction is one of those symptoms of low testosterone levels, which can also be an indicator of poor blood circulation caused by atherosclerosis or narrowing of the arteries. If you experience any of the symptoms of low testosterone, you should talk to a medical expert.
The real medical experts in the field of low testosterone are urologists and endocrinologists. They will listen to your symptoms and do a complete physical exam followed by laboratory tests. Laboratory tests should include at least two separate measurements of total and free testosterone. If you have symptoms of low testosterone and testosterone levels in your blood tests, you can ask your doctor to prescribe TRT. If you're wondering if testosterone therapy might be right for you, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.
Your doctor will likely measure your testosterone levels at least twice before recommending testosterone therapy. Treating normal aging with testosterone therapy is not recommended. If you don't have a medical condition that contributes to lower testosterone levels, your doctor may recommend natural ways to increase testosterone, such as losing weight and increasing muscle mass through resistance exercise. Testosterone is a hormone vital to the overall well-being and health of male patients.
However, as men age, it's natural for their testosterone levels to decrease. This decline can cause several symptoms that can affect your quality of life. Fortunately, testosterone therapy is an effective solution for restoring testosterone levels and alleviating symptoms. This blog will discuss testosterone therapy and when to ask a primary care provider if you qualify for this beneficial treatment. As with any medication, the decision whether the potential benefits outweigh the risks is up to you and your doctor.
Testosterone therapy is administered and supervised by a qualified medical professional, such as a primary care or family doctor. Taking the medication is often a lifelong commitment (unless your low testosterone is due to a medical condition), so you'll need to be monitored continuously by a doctor. If you have symptoms of low testosterone and tests show that you have an abnormally low testosterone level (less than 300 nanograms per deciliter), your doctor may recommend treatment. Based on the evaluation, the primary care physician will develop a specialized treatment plan adapted to the needs of each patient.
Before prescribing testosterone, your doctor should check your testosterone levels and make sure that your low testosterone level isn't due to something else, such as an illness. DO NOT settle with another type of doctor if you are concerned about low testosterone and seek medical evaluation. Oral treatment in combination with estrogen is the most available treatment method for women, although some doctors prescribe the topical gel. If you're concerned about the symptoms of low testosterone or if you've tried therapies that haven't worked, talk to your primary care doctor or a urologist.
Once you receive the results, your doctor may order other tests to rule out other reasons why you have low levels of testosterone.
