Hormone Replacement Therapy For Men – Is It Safe?

Most people try to avoid the aging factor, but it is impossible. Denying the fact that a number is being added to your age every year is one way to cope with the aging effects, but not the healthiest way. As men age, they tend to have drastic changes in their energy levels, moods, behavior, flexibility, etc. Low T is also an effect of aging, and older men often feel tired and are unable to perform tasks as well as they used to do when they were teenagers. Other symptoms include low libido, weak erections, low energy, and inability to build muscles.

Hormone replacement therapy is helpful for men whose T levels are reduced due to the aging effect. It helps increase energy levels, libido, and sex drive, thus helping men lead a healthy life. However, if your T levels are in the normal range, TRT will not provide you with any extra benefits.

Although there are various medication options available for male sexual health issues associated with low T such as erectile dysfunction, they can cause urinary problems and male pattern baldness. In hormone replacement therapy for men, several tests are conducted before the treatment to identify the causes and symptoms comprehensively.

What Are The Risks Associated With TRT?

Only a small number of men, who take testosterone, experience acne, tenderness, breathing problem while sleeping, and swelling in the ankles. When performing hormone replacement therapy for men, doctors check red blood cell counts that can increase the chances of clotting.

Men who take testosterone for a long time can have cardiovascular diseases and even death. In 2010, researchers found that older men getting hormone replacement therapy had more heart problems. The theoretical cardiac side effects have an immediate impact on older men.

Going on TRT may have an effect on your skin. Testosterone boosts oil production, which can lead to breakouts. But, this is not common and usually occurs in men with an acne problem.

Who Should Take Testosterone?

Testosterone replacement therapy is proved to be effective for men with low T or hypogonadism. Causes for low testosterone levels may include trauma, alcohol or drug use, testicular failure, hereditary disorders, and chronic illnesses.

The majority of the men have total T levels under 300 ng/dl, bioavailable testosterone levels under 150 ng/dl and free T levels under 5 ng/dl. Since T levels fluctuate during the daytime, it is recommended to take blood for the test between 7 AM to 10 AM.

Men with hypogonadism should get TRT while exceptions are the patients who have experienced prostate, severe BPH, heart failure, elevated red blood cell counts, high PSA levels. According to the TOM (Testosterone in Older Men with Mobility Limitations), older people who are suffering from cardiovascular or other major heart-related diseases should be treated carefully.

Most men take testosterone because of its anti-aging effects and for ED treatment. Even if hormone replacement therapy for men is considered for prostate problems, it is necessary to take testosterone with more accuracy as suggested by the TOM study. However, some experts say that men with hypogonadism should not undergo the TRT.

Should I Consult A Doctor About Hormone Replacement Therapy?

If you wonder whether testosterone therapy is right for you, you should consult with a doctor at a reputed male hormone replacement therapy clinic. Your doctor will check your testosterone levels carefully before discussing the benefits, risks, etc.

A medical condition that links to the unusual drop in testosterone levels can be a reason for the TRT; however, treating aging effects with this therapy is not advisable.

Your doctor will also discuss with you some useful tips to boost testosterone naturally, such as exercising, losing weight, increasing muscle mass, etc.