After testosterone therapy, many men with low testosterone report increased energy, sexual desire, and mood. Why not supplement testosterone if it is low?
Not so quickly. A low testosterone level does not require therapy on its own. Side effects of testosterone replacement treatment are possible, and the long-term dangers and benefits are unknown. Only men who have low testosterone symptoms and blood levels that indicate this as the source of their symptoms should seek testosterone therapy. The only way to find out if testosterone treatment is suitable for you is to consult with your doctor.
Low Testosterone Symptoms
Low testosterone symptoms might be noticeable at times, but they can sometimes be subtle. Men’s testosterone levels naturally fall over time as they age. However, certain situations might also result in an extremely low level. Low testosterone symptoms include:
- Low sexual drive (libido)
- Male erectile dysfunction
- Tiredness and low energy levels
- Loss of muscular mass
- Hair loss on the body and face
- Difficulty focusing
- Depression
- Irritability
- A poor sense of well-being
A doctor may recommend affordable testosterone replacement therapy if men exhibit symptoms of low testosterone and testing reveal an unusually low testosterone level. There is now no therapy indicated for millions of men who have low testosterone levels but no symptoms. It is also not recommended for treating males who have low levels due to aging.
Testosterone Supplements In Different Forms
There are various types of testosterone replacement treatment. All of the following can boost testosterone levels:
• Skin Patch (Transdermal): Androderm is a transdermal skin patch that is used on the arm or upper torso. It is used once a day.
• Gels: AndroGel and Testim are transparent testosterone gel packets. When you use the gel once a day, testosterone is absorbed straight through the skin. AndroGel, Axiron, and Fortesta are also available as a pump that distributes the quantity of testosterone that your doctor has recommended. Natesto is a gel that is administered to the inside of the nose.
• Mouth Patch: Striant is a pill that is applied to the upper gums above the incisor, which is the tooth to the right or left of the two front teeth. When used twice a day, it constantly releases testosterone into the bloodstream via the oral tissues.
• Injections And Implants: Testosterone can also be injected directly into the muscles or implanted in the soft tissues as pellets. Your body gradually absorbs the testosterone into your circulation.
Why Not Just Take A Testosterone Supplement?
There is oral testosterone accessible. However, some specialists feel that taking oral testosterone might harm the liver. Other ways, such as using skin patches, gels, orally dissolving pills, or injections, bypass the liver and deliver testosterone straight into the bloodstream.
Steroids For Performance Enhancement Vs. Testosterone Replacement
Isn’t having testosterone replacement the same as using steroids, as “dope” athletes do? True, some bodybuilders and sportsmen take anabolic drugs that include testosterone or compounds that act like testosterone.
The distinction is that testosterone replacement dosages only attain physiologic (normal) hormone levels in the blood. The testosterone forms that some athletes take illegally are substantially greater dosages, and they are frequently coupled (“stacked”) with other chemicals that increase the total muscle-building (anabolic) impact.