Table of contents:
- What is testosterone therapy for men?
- The characteristics of a man who needs hormone therapy
- Types of testosterone hormone therapy for men
- Risks from hormone therapy for men
Just like women, men will experience a decrease in the hormone testosterone with age. The decrease in this hormone can certainly affect you as a man, including decreased sexual desire. However, hormone therapy for men is said to delay this decreased effect. This therapy is also called testosterone hormone therapy. Is it true?
What is testosterone therapy for men?
Hormone therapy for men is usually done by giving the hormone testosterone. Testosterone is a hormone that functions in developing male genitalia and creating male characteristics, such as hair and muscles.
This one therapy is usually used to treat symptoms of hypogonadism in men, which is a condition when a man has very little testosterone. The goal, of course, is to restore hormone levels to more.
Although it aims to restore testosterone levels, there is no research that explains whether this hormone therapy is beneficial for healthy men whose testosterone levels decrease with age.
The characteristics of a man who needs hormone therapy
Generally, it is men with hypogonadism who need hormone therapy in order to produce normal testosterone. Some men are born with this condition, but not a few who may experience this condition when they grow up.
In general, the hormone testosterone will decrease with age, namely after the age of 40 years.
As reported by Harvard Health, there are several symptoms that could be a sign that there has been a decrease in testosterone in the body, such as:
- Drastic decrease in sexual desire and activity
- Less spontaneous erection
- The testicles shrink and become very small
- Less hair on your face and body
- Osteoporosis
- Enlarged chest or breasts
- Often sweating and feeling a hot sensation at night
- Infertile, aka infertility
If you experience some of the conditions above, try to consult a doctor, especially if you are still of productive age. Normally, you will be asked to do a blood test before deciding whether hormone therapy for men can be done.
Types of testosterone hormone therapy for men
If your doctor is sure that testosterone therapy is suitable for your problem, there are several options for this therapy, namely:
- Testosterone injections through the muscles in the buttocks area which will be done every two to three weeks.
- Testosterone in patch form which can be placed on your back, arms, buttocks, or stomach. Make sure not to stick it in one area only.
- Apply testosterone gel daily on the shoulders, arms, and stomach.
Risks from hormone therapy for men
Although hormone therapy is useful for boosting the male hormone testosterone, there are several risks behind this treatment.
Excess testosterone can have a negative impact on men's health, including:
- Increase blood pressure
- Interferes with liver function
- Increase the production of red blood cells
- Chest and muscle pain
- Increase the risk of prostate problems
Even so, a lecturer in physiology and biophysics from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jane F. Reckelhoff, PhD., Stated that further research needs to be done to find out more about the risks that arise from hormone therapy for men.
Hormone therapy for men may be the answer to the problem of decreased sexual desire and overcome the symptoms of their hypogonadism. However, because this therapy is also risky, consult your doctor whether you really need it or not.
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