Loss of pubic and axillary hair Low or no sperm count (azoospermia). If you have symptoms of low testosterone, such as a decrease in sexual desire and hot flashes, talk to a healthcare provider. You will be evaluated and you may be asked for blood tests. Testosterone is the most important hormone in men's health. Aging is characterized by testosterone deficiency due to decreased testosterone levels associated with low testicular production, genetic factors, adiposity, and disease.
Low testosterone levels in men are associated with sexual dysfunction (low sexual desire, erectile dysfunction), reduced skeletal muscle mass and strength, decreased bone mineral density, increased cardiovascular risk, and changes in the glucometabolic profile.
Testosterone replacement
therapy (TRT) shows several therapeutic effects and, at the same time, maintains a good safety profile in hypogonadal men. TRT restores normal serum testosterone levels in men, increasing libido and energy levels and producing beneficial effects on bone density, strength and muscles, in addition to producing cardioprotective effects. However, TRT may be contraindicated in men with untreated prostate cancer, although the results published in the literature are poor.In addition, a number of potential side effects, such as polycythemia, cardiac events, and obstructive sleep apnea, should be monitored. The objective of our review is to provide an up-to-date basis on the advantages and disadvantages of TRT, evaluating its role and clinical applicability in different domains. Starting at age 40, men's testosterone levels begin to decline gradually between 1 and 2% each year. The reduction in testosterone levels is quite common, as more than a third of men over 45 have levels below what is considered normal for their age.
Men may notice symptoms of fatigue, depression, or loss of facial and body hair. In addition to decreased muscle mass, lower testosterone levels can also lead to bone fragility, increasing the risk of fractures. Some men develop depression, loss of sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, and other physical and emotional symptoms in their late 40s or early 50s. Testosterone treatment can help reduce symptoms.
Some symptoms may be a normal part of aging. For example, it's normal to feel less interest in sex as you age. However, it's not usually normal to have no interest in sex. The symptoms may also be due to other conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. If any of these symptoms bother you, talk to your healthcare provider.
Your healthcare provider will likely do a blood test to check your testosterone level. You will also be tested for other causes of your symptoms. These include side effects of medications, thyroid problems, or depression. TRT may ease or improve symptoms in some men.
May help keep bones and muscles strong. TRT seems to be more effective in young men with very low levels of testosterone. TRT may also be useful for older men. At this time, it's not clear if TRT increases the risk of prostate cancer or the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
However, TRT is avoided in men with prostate or breast cancer because it can worsen your condition. There is a higher risk of high blood pressure with TRT. Talk to your provider about whether TRT is right for you. If you don't notice any change in symptoms after treatment for 3 months, treatment with TRT is less likely to benefit you.
In addition, several mechanisms may contribute to increasing insulin sensitivity after testosterone treatment, such as the loss of subcutaneous fat, increased muscle mass, and suppression of inflammation. Testosterone, which is universally recognized as the main androgen hormone, is characterized by several anabolic and catabolic effects. However, the lack of reliable and practical markers limits the possibility of evaluating the actual action of exogenous testosterone on tissues and organs. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland normally control the amount of testosterone produced and released by the testicles.
High levels of these hormones normally tell the testicles to produce more testosterone and sperm. The good news is that low testosterone levels in men can be successfully treated with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), which involves supplementing or stimulating the testosterone that a man's body is already producing. In particular, men who have abnormal symptoms should consider seeing their doctor to have their testosterone levels checked. Testosterone is important for various body functions, including maintaining muscle mass and bone density.
However, consistent hormone replacement therapy helps improve sexual desire, alleviate symptoms of depression, and increase energy levels in those with low testosterone levels. In a cohort of 805 hypogonadal men, the effects of TRT (1000 mg of testosterone undecanoate intravenously every 12 weeks) on erectile function are increasingly maintained up to 9 years of replacement therapy, in addition to a significant improvement in cardiometabolic risk factors, while Efesoy et al. However, excessive loss leads to hypogonadism, which is defined as the concentration of testosterone below 300 nanograms per deciliter. As explained by the founder of the Center for Men's Health, the late Professor Malcolm Carruthers, in his book Testosterone Resistance, Low Testosterone Levels, and Physical Activity can be caused in many different ways. This is just one of the many factors that can affect the actual activity of testosterone in a man's body.
While treating low testosterone levels has benefits for older men, it's essential to consider individual circumstances and causes and to consult a healthcare professional to determine if treatment is appropriate and safe.
