Improving Low Testosterone Naturally Whole Health Library

When to treat low testosterone? Ohio State Health & Discovery

It is important for all males considering testosterone replacement therapy to speak to their healthcare providers and undergo prostate screening before starting this therapy. However, those assigned female at birth also have testosterone in their bodies. Research shows that normal testosterone levels in females are vital to maintaining libido, cognitive function, lean muscle repair and growth, and bone strength. It may also play a role in reducing the risk of certain endocrine cancers. Low levels of testosterone can cause a loss of sexual drive, reduced bone and muscle mass, mood disorders, and may exacerbate symptoms of erectile dysfunction testosterone booster dysfunction.

Being open and honest about any type of testosterone replacement or boosters — prescribed or over-the-counter — is critical in diagnosing and treating low testosterone. Anyone taking testosterone replacement should have a medical checkup and blood tests several times during the first year of treatment and yearly after that. This is to see how well the treatment works and to watch for side effects. As men age, testosterone production naturally wanes; in fact, about 40% of men over age 45 have lower levels of testosterone — technically called hypogonadism. But if yours is significantly low, your body starts showing signs.

Testosterone therapy is increasingly common in the United States, and many of these prescriptions are written by primary care physicians. There is conflicting evidence on the benefit of male testosterone therapy for age-related declines in testosterone. Physicians should not measure testosterone levels unless a patient has signs and symptoms of hypogonadism, such as loss of body hair, sexual dysfunction, hot flashes, or gynecomastia.

Some people may also have something in their genetic makeup (their DNA) that interferes with their body’s ability to produce or process DHEA and DHEA-S. A carefully formulated TRT treatment plan should avoid many of these undesirable side effects. The two basic types of hypogonadism are primary and secondary hypogonadism.

However, a 2017 study on testosterone supplementation did not find memory improvements in 493 men with low testosterone levels who took testosterone or a placebo. Genetic variants that affect the Y chromosome and the sex hormone-binding globulin may result in a higher risk for low testosterone. SHBG is a protein that helps deliver testosterone to the body’s tissues. About 15% of men with fertility problems have low testosterone levels. The most common treatment is testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). In males, hypogonadism, a condition where the testicles produce little or no testosterone, may occur at any age. If you’re taking hormone replacement therapy, regular follow-up appointments with a healthcare provider are important.

For example, it is normal to feel less interested in sex as you get older. For couples who would like to keep their fertility options open, I do not recommend switching to exogenous androgen replacement. There is evidence that sperm quality does not always rebound completely when men are on alternating cycles of exogenous and endogenous androgen replacement. Taking hormonal medication for just one or two months is not going to have a significant long-term impact on sperm quality.

This is referred to as hypogonadism, testosterone deficiency syndrome (TD), low testosterone (Low-T), or andropause. While each of the symptoms above may result from lowered testosterone levels, they may also be normal side effects of aging. Most men feel improvement in symptoms within four to six weeks of taking testosterone replacement therapy, although changes like increases in muscle mass may take from three to six months.

Testosterone replacement therapy may contribute to or cause sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that causes your breathing to stop and start repeatedly while you sleep. It can disrupt your sleep pattern in the process and raise your risk for other complications, like having a stroke.

However, the Testosterone Trials were designed to assess only effectiveness and not the risks of testosterone therapy, including prostate cancer or cardiovascular disease. TRT can significantly improve quality of life by alleviating symptoms of low testosterone. Benefits often include increased energy levels, improved mood, heightened libido, better erectile function, increased muscle mass, and decreased body fat. It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional to discuss the potential benefits and risks based on your specific health condition.