Men’s Hormone Replacement Therapy

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is the men’s primary sex hormone. It is mainly responsible for many of the characteristics associated with men- deeper voice, body and facial hair, bigger muscles, etc. Testosterone also plays a major role in sexual maturity, fertility and sexual performance.

Bioidentical hormones are those that exactly match the hormones such as testosterone that your body produces.  

Why replace Testosterone?

You may feel younger, stronger, healthier and happier with a better sex life by optimizing your sex hormone levels.

With testosterone replacement therapy you may notice

• Increased energy and mental clarity

• Increased muscle tone and reduction of fat stores

• Restoration of sexual function and erections

• Increase libido/desire

• Improved cholesterol and lower risk of heart disease

• Improved sense of well-being, overall drive, and motivation

What is low Testosterone?

As a person ages, testosterone production decreases but it can drop below the body’s usual range, also called andropause. Testosterone levels naturally start to decrease after the peak age of 18 and some men notice significant symptoms of low testosterone (low-T) by the age of 35. The severity of these decreases and associated symptoms can vary significantly from guy to guy.

Symptoms of low Testosterone

• Erectile dysfunction (difficulty getting or maintaining erections)

• Difficulty sleeping/insomnia (falling or staying asleep and association with low testosterone and sleep apnea)

• Reduction in muscle mass (and ability to build muscle mass)

• Reduced bone mass

• Decrease in sex drive

• Low energy/fatigue

• Increase in body fat (especially around the midsection and chest)

• Changes in mood/mood swings: low testosterone can cause lack of focus/motivation, increase irritability and higher risk of depression

• Decreased sense of well being  

• Loss cognitive function/mental clarity (“brain fog”)

• lower semen production

• Hair loss

• Reduction of testicle size

• Hot flashes/night sweats/profuse sweating (often caused by estrogen decline, but can also be associated with decline in testosterone)

Risks associated with low Testosterone

• Increased risk of cancer or Alzheimer’s

• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease

• Premature hair loss and wrinkling

Comprehensive Medicine

We do comprehensive testing and analysis to make sure that low-T is the cause of low-T symptoms

Other factors that can contribute to erectile function: smoking, thyroid related issues, high cholesterol, stress or anxiety, alcohol consumption, diabetes, high blood pressure. Aside from aging other causes of low testosterone may be stress, alcohol abuse, obesity, lack of adequate sleep, certain prescription medications or chronic illness.

TREATMENT:

Testosterone replacement therapy: There are several delivery methods for testosterone (topical creams, gels, oral tablets, injections and surgically implanted pellets). Dr. Peizer will discuss options; pros and cons with you determine the best method for you and your lifestyle.

• Estrogen balance: testosterone naturally converts to estrogen in the body so when supplemental testosterone is added an estrogen blocker is often needed to reduce risk of excess estrogen symptoms like gynocomastia (increased breast tissue).

• Natural testosterone support: this may include weight loss, diet, improving sleep and supplements.

• Balancing other hormones that affect testosterone including adrenal and thyroid hormones.

• Testosterone and other related blood values are monitored regularly to insure safe hormone values.