It is not recommended to treat normal aging with testosterone therapy. If you don't have a medical condition that contributes to a decrease in testosterone. 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. Women should not use this medication, especially those who are pregnant or could become pregnant. Testosterone can cause congenital anomalies if a pregnant woman comes into contact with the medication.
Make sure your doctor knows if your sexual partner is pregnant. If you become pregnant while using this medication, tell your doctor right away.
Testosterone replacement
therapy (TRT) is a widely used treatment in men with symptomatic hypogonadism. The benefits seen with TRT, such as increased libido and energy level, beneficial effects on bone density, strength and muscles, and cardioprotective effects, are well documented.TRT is contraindicated in men with untreated prostate and breast cancer. Men treated with TRT should be monitored for side effects such as polycythemia, peripheral oedema, and heart and liver dysfunction. A relatively small number of men experience immediate side effects from testosterone supplementation, such as acne, breathing disorders while sleeping (worsening of sleep apnea), breast swelling or tenderness, or swelling of the ankles. Doctors also monitor high red blood cell counts, which may increase the risk of blood clots.
Once patients begin testosterone replacement therapy, doctors regularly monitor their cholesterol levels and prostate health, in addition to their testosterone levels. Although topical testosterone delivery systems prevent first-pass liver metabolism, TRT remains a concern in patients with chronic liver disease. Primary care doctors, urologists and endocrinologists can prescribe testosterone replacement therapy. As men age, there is a decrease in testicular production of testosterone, as well as an increase in sex hormone transporting globulin, which act to decrease bioavailable testosterone.
These doctors usually consult with the patient's cardiologist (if any) about the risks and benefits of testosterone replacement therapy for each individual patient. Testosterone is a male hormone responsible for the growth and development of male sexual organs and the maintenance of secondary sexual characteristics. Testosterone is also known to stimulate the growth of prostate cancer in men diagnosed with this condition. It's been more than 60 years since Hodges and Huggins described a relationship between serum testosterone levels and prostate cancer progression. The findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that testosterone replacement therapy did not increase the risk of heart attack or stroke, compared to placebo.
While the beneficial effects of testosterone are rarely discussed and widely publicized, there is little literature on the risks of using testosterone. As testosterone levels decrease, men may experience decreased sexual desire, energy levels, muscle mass, and physical strength. For men who are clearly deficient in testosterone, there is no apparent increased risk of heart attack or stroke or a greater chance of developing a new prostate cancer from testosterone replacement therapy. Because of this risk of polycythemia, not only should the complete blood count (CBC) of men who undergo TRT be monitored during treatment, but they should also have a baseline blood count performed before starting treatment with testosterone.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a reasonable treatment option that is often tested for men with low levels of testosterone and symptoms of hypogonadism.
