Aside from causing a drop in your sex drive and energy levels, low testosterone can increase your risk for heart disease, depression, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis. If your low testosterone is caused by an underlying health condition , such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, or sleep apnea , treating that condition may help improve low testosterone, says Ahmer Farooq, DO, assistant professor of urology at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill.
Many doctors also recommend an overall healthy lifestyle as a first approach. Farooq says. Treatment for low testosterone may involve hormone replacement therapy. For some men, testosterone replacement therapy can help improve sex drive, ease symptoms of depression , and increase energy levels. Treatment may also boost muscle mass and bone density. Testosterone replacement therapy is available in several different forms, Dr.
The most common form is a topical gel. About 70 percent of men on testosterone replacement therapy apply these gels daily. And the gel should only be applied to areas of the body covered by clothing to avoid contact with others. About 17 percent of men treated for low T receive testosterone injections every 7 to 22 days.
Schedule an appointment today to learn more about the benefits TRT can offer for you and how soon you can expect to start feeling them. Your Name required. Your Phone Number required. Your Email required. Your Message. Suite Rockville, MD Short Term Effects of Testosterone Replacement Therapy Studies show that men who receive testosterone replacement start to notice their sex drive rising after just three weeks.
Diabetes For men who have diabetes, or pre-diabetes, testosterone replacement therapy may bring dramatic and rapid improvements. Long Term Effects of Testosterone Replacement Therapy Although the first testosterone therapy effects appear quickly, you need to keep up with the course of treatment for an extended period of time to reap the full benefits.
Sexual Effects Your sex life should improve over time as you receive testosterone replacement therapy. What to Expect With Testosterone Replacement Therapy Every man has a unique reaction to testosterone replacement therapy.
What If You Do Not See Results From Testosterone Replacement Therapy If you have been on testosterone replacement therapy for several weeks or months and you are not noticing improvements, see your doctor for advice.
A more rapid decline in testosterone levels may indicate a problem called low testosterone low T. Common symptoms of low T include:. Some men may also have changes in the size of their penis and testicles. Others may have breast swelling. Some men may want to diagnose themselves with low T. A doctor-ordered testosterone level test is the only way to find out if your testosterone levels are too low.
When you see your doctor, they will take a thorough health history and do a physical exam. If your exam and tests reveal that you have low T, your doctor may suggest testosterone injections. The purpose of testosterone injections is to help regulate male hormone levels to help address problems related to low T. For men with low T, the benefits of these injections can include:. Men generally have less body fat than women.
This is partly related to testosterone, which regulates fat distribution and muscle maintenance in your body. Your hormones also help regulate muscle growth. However, this only occurs if your low T is prolonged and severe. As for muscle maintenance, testosterone therapy has been found to help increase muscle mass, but not strength. Low sperm count is a common side effect of low T. This problem can make it difficult if you and your partner are trying to get pregnant.
Testosterone therapy can itself lead to reduced sperm counts, especially at high doses. According to GoodRx.
Those patients who choose not to use injections tend to opt for testosterone gel or cream. The benefits may come a bit slower because, unlike testosterone injections where the entire dosage is readily absorbed into the bloodstream, there is no way of knowing exactly how much testosterone is absorbed through the skin. The initial benefits of improved sex drive, better perception of quality of life, and reduced anxiety will most likely still occur during the first month — just perhaps not to the same degree.
Some men and women do feel effects of testosterone quicker with the gel or cream. There is no way of knowing until the treatment is started. Low testosterone can be easily diagnosed with a simple blood test and treated with testosterone replacement therapy to bring your testosterone levels back to normal.
The testosterone replacement therapy options available are:. Each of these options provides adequate levels of hormone replacement. Each has side effects and advantages and disadvantages. The choice of hormone replacement therapy is best made with a thorough discussion between you and Dr. This can be discussed at the free testosterone replacement therapy consultation. To receive further information about how quickly testosterone therapy works, what you can expect from treatment, how to get tested for low testosterone, and what the best type of testosterone for your needs will be, contact us.
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