Testosterone therapy may be an option for the treatment of postmenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
It is becoming more common in the US for primary care physicians to write prescriptions for testosterone therapy. Research on the benefits of male testosterone therapy for age-related testosterone declines is contradictory. The testosterone levels of a patient shouldn’t be examined until they are displaying hypogonadism symptoms like gynecomastia, hot flashes, sexual dysfunction, or body hair loss. Male hypogonadism is less strongly linked to depressed mood, fatigue, loss of vigor, and a lower sense of energy.
All patients should be advised of the potential risks and benefits prior to starting testosterone therapy. Testosterone therapy should only be initiated after two morning total serum testosterone measurements demonstrate decreased levels. Therapy may increase libido, improve sexual function, mood, and general well-being. It may also stimulate muscle growth and bone density.
Testosterone Therapy in Detail
Testosterone therapy increases the risk of cardiovascular complications. A warning is issued by the Food and Drug Administration regarding this. Increased levels of prostate-specific antigen, worsened symptoms of the lower urinary tract, polycythemia. An increased risk of venous thromboembolism are some additional potential issues. Patients that receive testosterone therapy should be monitored constantly. This is done to make sure that their testosterone levels increase. Appropriately, their clinical conditions improve, and no issues develop.
Additionally, testosterone therapy may be used to treat postmenopausal women with hypoactive sex drive condition as well as to aid patients in the transition from being a female to a male by assisting them in acquiring physical characteristics associated with sex with men.
Men who choose testosterone therapy should be advised of the risks involved long-term use of the medication, including potential cardiovascular side effects. To weigh the benefits and drawbacks of the proposed course of therapy, patients and physicians should engage in collaborative decision-making. Men who receive testosterone therapy are advised to regularly monitor side effects and treatment efficiency. Measurements of testosterone, complete blood counts to assess hematocrit, and tests for prostate-specific antigen should all be part of this surveillance.
Tell us about testosterone.
- The effects of testosterone on men
- Bone density
- Fat distribution
- Muscle strength and size
- Body and facial hair
- Red blood cell synthesis
- Drive by sex
- Sperm production
- Can testosterone therapy help you maintain a young, healthy appearance?
Although it can help cure the effects of hypogonadism, it is unknown if testosterone therapy would be useful for older men who are otherwise health.
Although some men think that taking testosterone makes them feel younger and more energetic, there isn’t much data to back up the usage of testosterone in otherwise healthy guys. The American College of Physicians advises testosterone therapy, although there isn’t much evidence that it improves other functions like vitality and energy. For some men, testosterone therapy may improve their sexual function.
- What risks are related to testosterone replacement therapy for healthy ageing?
The following are some risks of testosterone therapy:
- Provoking skin reactions like acne.
- Promoting both benign prostatic hyperplasia, the growth of the prostate gland, and the progression of prostate cancer that already exists.
- Expansion of the breasts
- Preventing the production of sperm or causing testicles to shrink.
- That testosterone therapy may increase your risk of heart issues.
Unduly stimulating the production of red blood cells, which raises the risk of a blood clot forming. A clot may break away, move through the bloodstream, and ultimately land in the lungs where it would impede blood flow (pulmonary embolism.
- What risks might testosterone therapy have?
When males undergo testosterone therapy, a very tiny percentage of them have immediate side effects such acne, sleep apnea, enlarged or painful breasts, or ankle edema. Another worry for doctors is that elevated red blood cell numbers may raise the risk of clotting.
Users of long-term testosterone therapy seem to be more prone to cardiovascular problems such heart attacks, strokes, and deaths from heart disease. For instance, researchers halted the Testosterone in Older Men experiment when preliminary results revealed that men getting testosterone therapy. Some doctors are still concerned that testosterone therapy can promote the growth of prostate cancer cells. Due to the incidence of prostate cancer, doctors are typically reluctant to advise testosterone to men who may be at danger.
For male patients with low blood levels of testosterone, hormone replacement therapy usually outweighs any potential risks. However, the majority of men will make a decision with your doctor. It gives unhappy guys a chance to feel better, but that temporary fix can let people overlook hidden long-term dangers. “I can’t guarantee that this raises your risk of developing prostate cancer and heart problems. So keep risks in mind when considering testosterone therapy or other medications.
- Should you talk to your doctor about testosterone therapy?
Talk to your doctor about the benefits and drawbacks if you’re unsure whether testosterone therapy is the right choice for you. Your doctor will most likely do at least two testosterone level tests on you before recommending testosterone therapy.
Using testosterone therapy for slowing down natural ageing is not advised. If there isn’t a medical condition causing your testosterone levels to drop, your doctor might suggest natural testosterone boosters like losing weight and engaging in resistance training
