Testosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy for Men
As men grow older their levels of testosterone decrease and the ratio between testosterone and estrogen go out of balance? Often we see the average 60 year old male has a higher level of estrogen than the average 60 year old female! In men, after age 20, growth hormone falls about 14 percent every 10 years.
Men have hormones too and the symptoms of aging or feeling old are often the result of a decline in testosterone and growth hormones. Naturally, the main male hormones typically decline 1-2% annually or approximately 14% every 10 years and by their mid-forties, many men have lost almost half their prime levels. By the time he reaches 40, he’s lost almost half the growth hormones he had at 20 years old and by the time he reaches 80, men are left with just 5 percent of their original growth hormones. These hormone imbalances can happen at any age. Thankfully there are male treatment options available.
Think back to your teenage years and . . . Here’s another surprise – men also need estrogen, just in smaller amounts than women. Male testosterone is the hormone you likely know more about. Estrogen helps to slow bone loss in both genders, and progesterone is a precursor for testosterone – the male sex hormone. When our hormone system (the endocrine system, specifically) isn’t functioning properly, we suffer from a range of health and medical issues, become more at-risk for serious complications, and generally feel less like ourselves overall.
Naturally, male hormones begin to decline around middle age – the late forties or fifties. Sometimes, this causes symptoms often recognized or called andropause. Similar to women experiencing menopause, men can begin to suffer uncomfortable symptoms from lower hormone levels.
Symptoms of Male Hormone Imbalance
While both men and women can have hormonal imbalances, men tend to have similar symptoms but called by different names. This is mainly because of the different levels of hormones produced by men and women. Unfortunately, a hormonal imbalance or hormone problems in men can often go misdiagnosed or may not be properly acknowledged as the underlying cause of another issue.
This decline in testosterone also known as andropause, may result in decreased energy, low sex drive, decrease in muscle mass, weight gain around the belly, depression, irritability, insomnia, mood swings, brain fog, harder time making decisions, lack of motivation or couch potato-itis and heart problems.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone:
- Decreased sexual performance/erectile dysfunction
- Low libido/sex drive
- Weight (fat) gain
- Loss of muscle mass
- Decreased stamina
- Fatigue and/or insomnia
- Brain fog/difficulty making decisions
- Anxiety and depression
- Mood swings
- Sleep disturbances
- Loss of motivation & zest for life
- Metabolic syndrome
What Causes Hormone Imbalance in Men?
Hormonal imbalances or hormone problems are not caused by just one thing. They are caused by a contribution of multiple factors – both internal and external.
Risk factors that you can control:
- Diet – a diet that is high in processed foods is a major culprit
- Sedentary lifestyle – not getting enough exercise can lead to several major health complications
- Stress levels – everyday stresses can affect hormone levels drastically
- Environmental toxin exposure – living in heavily populated cities with human-produced pollution can affect your hormones and create other various health concerns
The only way to know for certain if these symptoms are a cause of hormone imbalance is to check specifically for this issue. It is most commonly performed as a blood test, however can be done through saliva or urine testing as well.
Understanding the function of hormones and testosterone replacement therapy has made it possible to manage many of the negative side-effects often associated with age related testosterone decline. Bio-identical or natural testosterone replacement therapy has gained popularity in recent years. While testosterone replacement therapy has been around since the late 1930s, here in the Midwest it’s taken some time to catch on.
Benefits of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in men:
- Improve sex drive
- Stronger erections
- Improve energy and stamina
- Reduce fatigue
- Improved moods
- Increase happiness
- Increase lean muscle mass
- Decrease heart disease risk
- Increase cellular oxygenation
- Decrease night sweats
- Lower total cholesterol and LDL
- Decrease insulin resistance
- Improve brain function
- Decrease abdominal fat
- Higher levels of energy, motivation and concentration
- Enhanced sex drive and decreased erectile dysfunction
- Better sleep
- Increased happiness and reduced depression
- Increased muscle strength and stamina
- Healthier metabolic numbers
What is the Hormone Replacement Therapy Process?
An appointment begins with a complimentary consultation to learn more and to discuss available options. Medstudio offers testing for hormones, micronutrients, food intolerances and sensitivities, gut health and much more. Medstudio is staffed with highly qualified nurse practitioners who will also discuss any lifestyle conditions that may be having an impact on your hormone levels and health. This may include other health conditions, lifestyle habits, stress levels, as well as your personal goals for this treatment. Medstudio creates a personalized treatment plan tailored just for you and your needs.
Personalized hormone blood tests help determine the right testosterone dosage needed for each man. No two men are alike and hormone needs differ from man to man. While there are many commercial, synthetic drug products available that promise to help with the symptoms of low testosterone or Low-T, they come with great risk. Natural testosterone replacement therapy helps address the cause of the problem while offering additional long-term benefits.
Forms of Men’s Hormone Replacement Therapy
Testosterone therapy is either synthetic or non-synthetic and comes in many forms; including injections (synthetic), topical gels or creams, sublingual tablets that dissolve under the tongue and the most common is natural or bio-identical pellets that are inserted under the skin and dissolve over time. Injections are often self-administered on a weekly or biweekly basis and are a synthetic form. Topical gels and creams are applied every day and sublingual tablets are taken daily as well. Pellets offer a more consistent steady release of testosterone and can last 3-4 months.
Hormone Therapy Replacement is a proven method to help regain a healthy hormonal balance. When administered and monitored properly, Natural or Bio-identical Testosterone Replacement Therapy for men can bring your hormones back to a healthy and optimal state, which will improve your overall health and well-being. When your hormones are at their optimal levels, side effects and symptoms are reduced or reversed.
