What is testosterone?

Testosterone is a hormone produced primarily in the testicles. Testosterone helps maintain men's:

• Bone density
• Fat distribution
• Muscle strength and mass
• Facial and body hair
• Red blood cell production
• Sex drive
• Sperm production
• Better sleeping patterns
• Regulate stress

Testosterone levels generally peak during adolescence and early adulthood. As you get older, your testosterone level gradually declines — typically about 5-10 percent a year after age 30. It is important to determine in older men if a low testosterone level is simply due to the decline of normal aging or if it is due to a disease (hypogonadism).

Hypogonadism is a disease in which the body is unable to produce normal amounts of testosterone due to a problem with the testicles or with the pituitary gland that controls the testicles. Testosterone Replacement Therapy Wellington can improve the signs and symptoms of low testosterone in these men. Doctors may prescribe testosterone as injections, pellets, patches or gels.

Absolutely! Men can experience many signs and symptoms as they age. Some may occur as a result of lower testosterone levels and can include:

• Changes in sexual function. This may include reduced sexual desire, fewer spontaneous erections — such as during sleep — and infertility.
• Changes in sleep patterns. Sometimes low testosterone causes insomnia or other sleep disturbances.
• Physical changes. Various physical changes are possible, including increased body fat, reduced muscle bulk and strength, and decreased bone density. Swollen or tender breasts (gynecomastia) and body hair loss are possible. You may have less energy than you used to.
• Emotional changes. Low testosterone may contribute to a decrease in motivation or self-confidence. You may feel sad or depressed, or have trouble concentrating or remembering things.

Some of these signs and symptoms can be caused by various underlying factors, including medication side effects, obstructive sleep apnea, thyroid problems, diabetes and depression. It's also possible that these conditions may be the cause of low testosterone levels, and treatment of these problems may cause testosterone levels to rise. A blood test is the only way to diagnose a low testosterone level.

Testosterone therapy can help reverse the effects of hypogonadism, thus giving the patient symptomatic relief which causes countless positive changes on their body and lifestyle.

Testosterone therapy has some risks, most occur when therapy is not followed by a medical professional and constant up keep on hormonal blood checks. Testosterone therapy may:

• Cause acne or other skin reactions
• Stimulate noncancerous growth of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) yet not very common when dose is proper.
• Enlarge breasts
• Limit sperm production or cause testicle shrinkage
• Night sweats

If you wonder whether testosterone therapy might be right for you, please give us a call. We have the means to help you fully understand what’s going on. Our lifestyles or medical conditions may decline our testosterone levels which will be a reason to take supplemental testosterone.