Are you showing symptoms of low testosterone? If you are suffering from low testosterone like so many other men, don’t just ignore it -- several treatments can help men regain their normal testosterone levels and overcome their symptoms. Young men and older men alike can suffer from low testosterone and sometimes not even notice it. Even if symptoms like a low sex drive don’t seem to be bothering you, low testosterone can affect your body and mind in a variety of ways. Also linked to conditions like depression, chronic fatigue, muscle weakness, weight gain and infertility, low testosterone can cause a number of problems for men that can affect their life. If you have low testosterone or think you may have low testosterone, check out these most frequently asked questions about low testosterone treatments. And don’t forget to talk to your doctor!
AndroGel and Testim are testosterone replacement gels absorbed through the skin. They are applied once a day and should be applied discretely so that the gel does not come in contact with others.
Testosterone replacement is not without risk. For one, it can increase your risk of prostate cancer and enlarge the prostate. Other problems such as sleep apnea, blood clots and risk of congestive heart disease can develop. Long-term affects of testosterone treatment are still being studied.
Testosterone supplements have been known to improve low testosterone in certain individuals. While some doctors do not believe they work, in the end it only matters that you see an improvement in symptoms. The best ingredients to look for in a supplement are D-Aspartic Acid, Fenugreek and ZMA.
Oral treatments are available, but doctors usually do not like to prescribe them because they are believed to contribute to liver disease when used long-term. Therefore, your doctor may recommend other treatment options before oral treatment is considered. But together with your doctor, you can weight the risks and benefits.
Testosterone replacement therapy can help achieve normal testosterone levels between 300 to 900 nanograms per deciliter. Replacement therapy can help adult males improve muscle mass, increase sex drive, promote healthy sleep patterns and improve emotional well-being.
Patches are another option for replacement therapy. These make it less likely for others to come in contact with the gel. They too are applied once per day. Androderm should be applied to the upper part of the body. A mouth patch available can be applied to the gums and quickly absorbed into the blood.
Injections and implants are both available that don’t require daily application. Injections are to be administered directly into your muscle tissue, while implants are injected into the body’s soft tissue, as your body slowly absorbs testosterone, increasing its presence in the bloodstream.
There are several things you can do to improve your testosterone levels that don’t require replacement therapy or can improve your results if you are using replacement therapy. Getting plenty of sleep and participating in activities that reduce stress is one way to improve testosterone levels. Of course, it’s also important to eat health foods and stay active. Not only will this increase testosterone, but it will reduce your weight and body fat that may be contributing to low testosterone. Talk to your doctor about other lifestyle changes you should be making.