About four to five million men in the United States suffer from hypogonadism. It is the condition where they have unnaturally low testosterone levels. Those who have this problem cannot produce enough levels of the testosterone hormone needed for proper masculine growth and sexual health.
Some people were born with this condition, while others develop this as they age. Fortunately, testosterone therapy can cure some types of hypogonadism. But there are a lot of misconceptions about this treatment for hypogonadism.
Here are some of the most common myths about hormone replacement therapy and the explanations behind it.
Testosterone Therapy Can Make You More Active
Those with deficient testosterone levels get quickly tired and less energetic. They also have difficulty in focusing on their tasks. But correcting this ailment is possible using testosterone therapy.
By using the right doses of testosterone replacement during the treatment, patients will have improved energy levels. They will also notice visible developments in their bone density and muscle mass, which can lead to more physical activities. Moreover, testosterone therapy can also provide significant improvements in the patient’s libido, sexual activity, and erectile function.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy Can Cure Erectile Dysfunction
This type of therapy can help in improving certain types of men’s sexual function. A recent study found out that those with mild erectile dysfunction can have improved sexual services after undergoing testosterone replacement therapy. Yet, there are no visible effects on patients with more advanced erectile dysfunction.
For severe cases, talking to medical experts who specialize in these types of ailments can ease the condition.
Testosterone Therapy Has Side Effects
Testosterone therapy is relatively safe, but patients can still feel several side effects if they choose to undergo this procedure. One of the most common but mild side effects is the breakout of acne and oily skin.
It can also cause many sexual problems like a decrease in the size of the testicles, the appearance of man boobs, and reduced sperm count that could lead to infertility. It may also increase the patient’s chances of blood clots. But the more severe side effects of having testosterone therapy are the higher chances of having a heart attack or stroke.
Everyone Can Try Testosterone Therapy
While there are many benefits of testosterone therapy, the Endocrine Society released a guideline indicating the types of people who must avoid getting such treatments. The list includes men diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Other medical practitioners may also prevent their patients from considering undergoing this treatment. These are people who are suffering from various conditions like severe congestive heart failure, abnormally high red blood cell counts, obstructive sleep apnea, and severe cases of lower urinary tract symptoms.
There Are Different Types of Testosterone Therapy
Medical practitioners use several methods of testosterone therapy, depending on the needs of their patients. The most common is the injectable method, where doctors administer in a significant muscle once every one to two weeks for a prescribed period.
Other options can be less invasive, including the patches attached to the skin and the gels applied to the patient’s arms, shoulders, armpit, and inner thigh. Others may also have a pellet implanted on their skin for long-term doses.
Testosterone therapy is rapidly becoming a sought-after treatment to cure men’s ailment. However, patients need to practice a lot of precautions before they consider this treatment.
If you want to undergo testosterone therapy, you must talk to a registered health practitioner to check if this is the right treatment for you.