Overall, testosterone treatment appears to have a variety of effects, with modest improvements in a relatively healthy population with low serum testosterone levels, and with some potentially adverse effects in the population of older men with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases. The body produces dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the adrenal glands and uses it to produce testosterone and estrogen. Levels naturally decrease as you age. A review of dozens of clinical trials showed that DHEA supplements increase blood testosterone levels in men and women.
Researchers have studied whether it helps with menopausal symptoms, erectile dysfunction, and mental and physical signs of aging, but the results have been mixed. Do you feel lazy? Is your sexual desire low? It's completely normal to want the problem resolved soon when symptoms like these start to affect your life. Low testosterone levels (low testosterone levels) may be to blame for problems with a lack of energy or a lack of interest in sexual intercourse, or they may not. Before making assumptions about your health and taking over-the-counter supplements that may not be right for you, it's important to understand that low testosterone levels (low testosterone levels) are a medical diagnosis that must take into account many nuances.
Testosterone is an important and sensitive hormone that the body produces primarily in the gonads (testes). In men, it is responsible for traits such as muscle and bone mass, sexual desire, and traditionally masculine characteristics, such as facial hair. It helps regulate mood, fat and red blood cells. Long-term low testosterone levels that go untreated can affect mental health, weight, and bone density because of the role testosterone plays in keeping them strong. It's good to wonder about low levels and also to make medically oriented decisions about when it's appropriate to replace testosterone.
From my point of view as a urologist, there are six important things I want you to know about treatments to lower testosterone and increase testosterone, no matter your age. Be sure to talk to your doctor about whether your testosterone level or another condition may be a cause for concern. A lack of energy is often associated with low testosterone levels, but it's also a common symptom of many other health conditions. If you notice these symptoms, it may be time to talk to your doctor. Testosterone may be to blame, but it's best to make sure.
Fat deposits in the male body can sometimes convert testosterone to estrogen, a hormone that is more prevalent in women than in men. This conversion can have numerous side effects, including symptoms associated with low levels of testosterone. The good news about obesity-induced low testosterone levels is that healthy weight loss can increase testosterone levels in some overweight men, helping to naturally balance hormones to improve symptoms and, at the same time, contributing to better overall well-being. Some types of cancer treatments can be a common cause of low testosterone levels, especially those of testicular or prostate cancer.
Hormone-based therapies involving androgens slow down testosterone production and often cause symptoms of low testosterone levels. Despite stopping taking these medications after successful cancer treatment, symptoms may persist. The natural aging process also plays an important role in low testosterone levels. Very low levels of testosterone may affect bone health.
It's linked to osteoporosis in older men, just as low estrogen levels are linked to osteoporosis in older women, which is another reason why it's important to talk to your primary care provider as soon as possible. The store-bought ingredients in these types of testosterone boosting supplements are not regulated by the U.S. UU. Food and Drug Administration, which means that there are no laws requiring ingredients to be printed on the bottle.
This makes it difficult to know clearly what's in the supplement. In addition, store-bought supplements are often more expensive than prescription testosterone replacement therapies, which have been medically proven to treat a diagnosis of low testosterone, and cannot be customized to take into account a person's unique health needs. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn't always work. Your doctor can help you design a solution that's right for your body. If testosterone levels cannot be increased naturally, for example, through weight loss, replacement therapy prescribed by a doctor is a safe, evidence-based treatment that you should consider.
Patients can carry out any of these therapies independently and comfortably in the comfort of their home, with physician supervision at least every three months to ensure that testosterone levels are on track. As important as it is to understand treatment options for low testosterone levels, it's equally important to understand the potential side effects of doctor-prescribed hormone replacement therapy. Getting older doesn't guarantee that low testosterone levels are the root of sexual or energy problems. When it comes to the production and treatment of male testosterone, try not to jump to conclusions about self-diagnosis.
Instead, make it a priority to talk to your primary care provider about your symptoms to get to the bottom of your concerns. If low testosterone is the cause, work with your health care team to establish a safe and effective treatment plan. The results of these studies indicate that testosterone treatment in older men with low testosterone levels may offer some benefits. Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that testosterone supplements offer “no net benefit after six months.” Aging in men is also associated with a reduction in serum testosterone, increasing the possibility that a reduction in the circulating concentration of testosterone contributes to age-related cognitive decline. Exercise is a natural way to increase testosterone, especially exercises with weights that increase muscle mass. Aging 10 years increases your chances of having low testosterone levels by 36%, but a 4-inch increase in waist size can increase your chances by up to 75%.
With the Bone Trial, researchers tried to determine if bone density increased after testosterone treatment in older men with low testosterone levels. In 2003, a panel at the Institute of Medicine concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support the benefits of testosterone in older men and recommended that more research be done. Transgender or non-binary people who want to have physical characteristics typical of men, such as having a deeper voice and facial hair, can also choose by testosterone boosters. These are supplements that contain things like vitamins, minerals, and herbs that are meant to increase the body's natural testosterone production.
While people who took testosterone lowered their total cholesterol, their “good” HDL cholesterol also decreased. If you don't have any medical conditions that contribute to lower testosterone levels, your doctor may recommend natural ways to increase testosterone, such as losing weight and increasing muscle mass through resistance exercise. However, healthy habits that increase testosterone, such as sleeping well and exercising, certainly won't hurt. The male hormone testosterone plays an important role in the development and maintenance of typical male physical characteristics, such as muscle mass and strength and the growth of facial and body hair. The men in the experimental group applied a testosterone gel (AndroGel) daily for 12 months; the placebo group received a placebo gel (without testosterone).
Testosterone treatment and cognitive function in older men with low testosterone levels and memory problems associated with age.
