Useful Facts About Testosterone Replacement Therapy St Petersburg FL

By Karen Sullivan


Low levels of the hormone testosterone might not need any treatment. There are side effects that are related to testosterone replacement therapy, plus there are no known long term benefits. When one is considering the procedure, the best thing would be to talk to a doctor to know whether the procedure is ideal. When considering testosterone replacement therapy St Petersburg FL residents need to know what the treatment involves.

There are instances where symptoms of low testosterone are obvious while in some cases they are subtle. The levels of the hormone decline naturally in men over time because of aging. There however are some conditions that lead to low levels. They include decreased muscle mass, depression, erectile dysfunction and irritability. If a man has low levels of the hormone and subsequent tests indicate they have abnormally low levels, they will need replacement therapy. If there are no symptoms, treatment might not be recommended.

There are various options that men have when it comes to replacement. There is the skin patch that is either worn on arms or upper body sections. It is supposed to be applied daily. Some people also have gels prescribed for them. They come in clear packets and contain testosterone. When there is application of the gel, the hormone gets absorbed via the skin into the body. The mouth patch is also an option and involves taking the medication as a tablet or orally through other means. A more direct option involves the use of implants or injections.

It is important to know what you can expect from the therapy. The outcomes are not very easy to predict because people are different. For many people, there will be improvement of energy levels, sex drive and quality of erection. It is also possible that there will be improvement of mass of muscles and bone density in some men.

There are possible side effects that one should expect. These include itching, rash and irritation at the site where the hormone was applied. Some studies show that there is increased risk of stroke and heart attack that is associated with the use of testosterone. Conditions that might be made worse with the treatment include sleep apnea, blood clots and congestive heart failure.

The treatment could lead to a man growing breasts. This is not common but is possible because the testosterone could be converted to estrogen. Estrogen will diminish the effects of the testosterone. In order to counter that, there is prescription of aromatase inhibitor but whose use should also be monitored. This is because if estrogen is overly suppressed, one is likely to feel fatigued.

It is possible that the treatment could lead to infertility. The testicles will be made to atrophy and be unable to make adequate sperms and testosterone. This will have an impact on fertility. Those that are on the hormone for a long term could have their natural hormone production affected.

For those that are uncertain whether the treatment is suitable for them, a doctor should be consulted. They will explain the benefits and risks. Most importantly, a doctor tests the level of the hormone several times before advising on whether treatment is advisable.




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