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Testosterone levels decline with age, which is more pronounced in older men. So by adding more testosterone into your system, you can once again be back to your old self, right? Seeking testosterone therapy seems to be the obvious choice, but is it?
As promising and straightforward as it sounds, there is much more to it than that. There are a lot of misconceptions about testosterone therapy. Some call it the ultimate anti-aging treatment for men.
Millions of American pen use prescriptions or resort to testosterone therapy to restore their manly hormones to the previous levels when they were younger. It promises that it will help men become more energetic, alert, mentally sharp, and sexually active. Should you be a part of the millions of Americans that took more testosterone?
Today, we will look at this therapy and determine the facts and the misconceptions.
What Is Testosterone?
So why the buzzword on this word anyway? Why are more and more men seeking to increase their testosterone levels?
Testosterone is the hormone responsible for developing and maintaining the male reproductive system. It helps sustain sperm production, sexual function, muscle mass, bone density, and many more.
The testicles secrete these hormones in men. However, it also can be found in women’s ovaries and adrenal glands. It plays a role in reproduction and maintaining muscle mass and bone density.
What Is Testosterone Therapy?
Testosterone therapy is prescribed to men who have been diagnosed with low testosterone levels.
Testosterone therapy can be given in injections, gels, transdermal patches, or pellets. The most common way to administer testosterone is by injection. The therapy claims that it helps men with fatigue, low libido, and erectile dysfunction.
The body creates its testosterone hormones, so why are more and more men seeking testosterone prescriptions and therapies?
Why Are More Men Seeking Additional Testosterone?
In recent years, there has been a surge in men seeking testosterone prescriptions and therapies to address various health concerns. Some men have low testosterone levels, resulting in low libido and erectile dysfunction. Others may be suffering from fatigue or depression due to their low testosterone levels.
The increasing awareness has led men to seek the prescriptions and therapies since it’s available to them.
Likewise, the idea of masculinity has changed a lot in the last few decades. A new concept is now challenging the traditional notion of masculinity—Men as Allies, which is that men should express their emotions, be nurturing, and care for others. This new concept has made it easier for men to seek testosterone prescriptions and therapies.
However, the most significant factor that leads men to seek these treatments is aging.
Aging Decreases Testosterone Levels
Every year after age 30 or 40, the testosterone levels in your body decrease by 1% every year. However, this is normal, but certain diseases, such as hypogonadism, can also lower your testosterone levels. It’s essential to discern if your low testosterone levels are due to aging or some illnesses.
How Decreased Testosterone Levels Affects Men’s Health
Testosterone plays a significant role in men’s health. It affects their mood, libido, and muscle mass. It also greatly influences how they feel about themselves and how attractive they are.
Decreased Sexual Activities
Now that aging decreases testosterone, men themselves act differently. Men become less interested in sex, and fewer spontaneous erections occur. Many men think that they have become weaker.
Bodily Changes
Physical bodily characteristics also changed. Fewer muscles bulk and more body fat, and bone density also decrease. Men have become less energetic than they once were.
Emotional Changes
Low testosterone leads men to become less confident about themselves; thus, their motivation also plummets. They feel more depressed and have difficulty remembering things and keeping concentration.
However, many of these symptoms can be attributed to medication side effects, diabetes, depression, or thyroid problems. They may necessarily not be a sign of decreased testosterone hormones.
How Do You Know If Your Testerone Levels Are Normal?
The only way to know if the testosterone levels in your body are normal is by seeking medical help. Only through a series of blood tests or different kinds of tests that you’ll know how much testosterone you currently have.
You need to do these tests several times since diet, level of fitness, certain medications, and when the treatment is done during the day can affect the results. Your testosterone levels are constantly changing due to numerous factors, so several tests are needed.
Do You Need A Testosterone Therapy?
If you find out that your testosterone levels are normal or slightly lower, there’s no need for testosterone therapy. Yes, that’s right, you don’t need more testosterone even if aging decreases your levels!
So only when you are experiencing severely low testosterone are you prescribed for testosterone treatment, but why is that?
Healthy Individuals Can’t Benefit Much From The Therapy
Testosterone treatment helps men that have problems with severely low testosterone. However, what about healthy men? Can’t it boost a man’s vigor and youth since, we at some point, all have that high testosterone count?
While plenty of men around takes testosterone prescriptions and therapies, it doesn’t mean much if you are healthy. There’s little evidence that men’s vigor and youth are restored when they have more testosterone in their system despite their age.
While studies have pointed out that it somewhat helps reinvigorate sexual function, there isn’t much evidence for anything else. There isn’t enough evidence that it promotes more energy and vitality or restores muscle and bone density.
Many countries have banned people from buying testosterone therapy supplements without a prescription.
Only With Severe Low Testosterone Count Will Benefit
Testosterone therapy is a treatment that can solve a variety of different problems. It’s been proven to help with weight loss, improve mood, and reduce depression. Some people choose to use it for cognitive function and libido.
If you are otherwise healthy, nothing much changes—except maybe your libido. That’s about it.
Takeaway
There are many misconceptions about testosterone therapy. If you want to know more about it and see if you are applicable for the treatment, you need professional medical help. We at Premier Med Spa can expertly evaluate if you need the therapy or not. Contact us anytime!