Men’s Hormone Therapy
Men’s Testosterone Replacement Therapy
The Importance of Testosterone
Testosterone: A Key Hormone for Good Health
Testosterone is a naturally produced sex hormone that contributes to many functions in the human body. Testosterone is synthesized from cholesterol and levels are carefully controlled by the pituitary gland in the brain.
- Helps maintain energy levels and mood
- Improves bone strength and muscle mass
- Regulates sex drive and sperm production
- Regulates fat distribution in the body
Symptoms of Low Testosterone
As men age, testosterone levels naturally decline. It is estimated that levels drop 1 to 2 % per year as the body receives fewer signals from the pituitary gland. In the U.S., low testosterone affects over 13 million men over the age of 45 with many having symptoms as early as 20. As a result, you may notice changes in the body including:
- Loss of body and facial hair
- Loss of muscle mass
- Low libido and overall energy
- Reduced sperm count and/or infertility
- Irritability, poor concentration, depression
- Brittle bones and increased risk of fracture
- Fatigue
- Hot flashes
These symptoms can significantly affect your quality of life and your sexual function. Low testosterone can also be caused by other factors, including health conditions or genetic diseases affecting the testes and hormone glands. Certain infections and autoimmune disorders can disrupt natural hormone production, and even steroids and drug prescriptions can affect testosterone production.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to get bloodwork done to verify if you have low testosterone. The Body Works TRT clinic is committed to helping you take back control of your life through male hormone therapy treatment.
What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
The Benefits of Male Hormone Therapy
Testosterone replacement therapy helps restore the natural levels of testosterone in the body in a safe, effective manner. It has been dubbed the “remedy” for aging, as it reverses many of the effects of aging caused by low testosterone. In a Harvard Medical School study, researchers found that men who received testosterone therapy reported numerous benefits, including loss of fat and increased mood and energy.
Testosterone replacement therapy is a functional medicine that can help with:
- Increased muscle mass and fat loss
- Improved erectile function and sexual drive
- Better concentration and overall mood
- Improved athletic performance and recovery
- Better sleep
- Improved bone strength
Can TRT Help Women?
While testosterone is thought of as a hormone that men produce, it is also naturally found in women and necessary for vital functions. Testosterone helps women with ovarian function, bone strength, and sexual libido. When a woman experiences imbalances in testosterone and estrogen levels, she may notice loss of sex drive, weakness, reduced bone strength, poor concentration, and depression. TRT therapy guided by a professional can help women combat those symptoms.
How It Works
As with any hormone replacement therapy, our team takes careful steps to diagnose your symptoms and ensure you are getting the proper hormone dosage. To diagnose low testosterone, we do a simple blood test and compare it against normal levels based on age and gender. We also check your red blood cell levels. Finally, we will review your medical history and family background to better understand causes and predispositions. Symptoms of low testosterone can mirror other chronic health conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, so it’s important to get a full understanding of your health status.
Testosterone replacement therapy can be applied in several ways:
- Intramuscular injections
- Sublinguals pills taken daily
- Creams applied directly on the skin
- Patches
The frequency at which you receive treatment depends on how quickly your body metabolizes the hormones and how your body is responding to the dosage. Following treatment, we typically follow up with patients at the 3 and 6-months marks to do bloodwork, and may adjust dosage as needed. Within 1 to 2 years of receiving TRT therapy, you can also get your bone density checked to see if your bone strength has increased (this is important for those battling osteoporosis).
