Low testosterone levels known in some corners as man-o-pause are one of the byproducts of aging; according to the American College of Physicians (ACP), an age-associated decline in total testosterone levels begins in men in their mid-30s and gradually increases by an annual average rate of 1.6%. The ACP reports that the incidence of low testosterone in the U.S. stands at about 20% in men older than 60, 30% in those older than 70, and 50% in those older than 80.
I see a fair amount of patients in their mid-50s and older who tell me about how they feel more tired, that their erections arent what they used to be, and how they have less interest in having sex with their partner. With some of those patients, tests show that their testosterone levels are totally normal, so I find myself telling them, Welcome to middle age.
But that is not always the case. On average, a testosterone level of 3001,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) of blood is normal. Reduced testicular function is typically diagnosed when the total testosterone is less than 300 ng/dL.
Effects of declining testosterone levels can include a lower sex drive, erectile dysfunction, lack of energy, loss of muscle strength, moodiness and even depression. In some cases, the decline can be attributed to such factors as an injury to the testes, a pituitary gland issue, a history of cancer/radiation therapy, and/or a family history of stroke or heart attack. However, in many instances, the cause for this decline can be simply attributed to age. However, in most instances, the cause for this decline is idiopathic that is, we simply dont know.
Fortunately there are ways of addressing low testosterone for most men: testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Offered by urologists and endocrinologists, TRT can take many forms: injections of testosterone cypionate (Depo-Testosterone) and testosterone enanthate can be done at home, usually bi-weekly, while those involving deep intramuscular injections of testosterone undecanoate (Aveed) are given at your providers office, usually every 10 weeks.
Note that Aveed is only available through your doctors office, clinic, or hospital, and therefore is not a medicine you can give yourself at home. You must also remain at the providers site for 30 minutes after injection so that the provider can watch for symptoms of POME or a serious allergic reaction. Symptoms of POME, or Pulmonary Oil Microembolism, include cough, difficult or labored breathing, chest pain, dizziness, and temporary loss of consciousness.
There are also a variety of topical creams, pills, nasal sprays application frequency varies widely and even implantable pellets, which involves your provider making a small incision, usually in the buttocks, every three to six weeks.
Quality of life usually improves within a few weeks, but the full effects of TRT can take three to six months. Patients tend to feel more energetic and can lose weight (with exercise and a proper diet), and see improvements in their sex drive. Pre-diabetic and diabetic patients can also benefit with improved insulin production.
However, there are side effects to consider. These can range from hair loss, acne and even breast enlargement to elevated red blood cell counts, changes in liver function, and in some cases cardiovascular issues, including heart attack and stroke. All of these will be discussed with your primary care physician and the TRT provider, and regular monitoring via blood and urine tests are necessary.
Interest in TRT continues to grow and, under the right circumstances, can make a very positive impact on ones quality of life physically, mentally and emotionally. Consult a provider to see if its right for you.
Dr. Aaron Hagge-Greenberg is a urologist and urologic surgeon at White Plains Hospital Physician Associates. For an appointment, call 914-949-7556.
Related
Read the rest here:
From White Plains Hospital: Feeling the Effects of Man-o-pause? - theLoop
- Global Testosterone Replacement Therapy Market Size To Worth USD 2.93 Billion By 2033 | CAGR Of 4.0% - Yahoo Finance - April 21st, 2024
- Testosterone replacement therapy: Yes or no - MD Anderson Cancer Center - January 6th, 2024
- 5 Best Testosterone Replacement Therapy Services 2023 - Men's Health - January 6th, 2024
- How Much Is Testosterone? The Cost of Replacement Therapy - Hone Health - January 6th, 2024
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy - Department of Urology - January 6th, 2024
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Low T - Ageless Men's Health - January 6th, 2024
- Understanding Hypogonadism, Testosterone Replacement Therapy, and Prostate Cancer Risk - Medriva - January 6th, 2024
- TRAVERSE Trial: Insights into Testosterone Replacement Therapy Safety - BNN Breaking - January 6th, 2024
- Testosterone replacement therapy may not increase risk of prostate cancer among men with hypogonadism - Medical Dialogues - January 6th, 2024
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT): Is It Right For You? - December 2nd, 2023
- Low Testosterone (Low T): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment - Cleveland Clinic - March 28th, 2023
- LowTCenter: Men's Health Clinic for Testosterone Replacement - March 28th, 2023
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Men | SynergenX - March 28th, 2023
- Male hypogonadism - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic - February 6th, 2023
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) Experts | Optimale - December 2nd, 2022
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy Clinic - EHormones MD - November 24th, 2022
- Options to Increase Your Testosterone - Healthline - November 16th, 2022
- Masculinizing hormone therapy - Wikipedia - October 29th, 2022
- Testosterone: What It Is and How It Affects Your Health - October 13th, 2022
- Testosterone What It Does And Doesn't Do - Harvard Health - October 13th, 2022
- Cork woman felt like she lost part of herself after going into menopause aged 27 - RSVP Live - October 13th, 2022
- The Global Testosterone Replacement Therapy Market is - October 4th, 2022
- Hypogonadism in Men | Endocrine Society - October 4th, 2022
- The One Thing This Doctor Says Is A Game Changer When It Comes To Hormones And Aging - TravelAwaits - October 4th, 2022
- Shirley Ballas on her difficult experience with menopause - Good Housekeeping - October 4th, 2022
- Foods That Boost Testosterone: 7 Options and How They Work - Healthgrades - October 4th, 2022
- Dr. Roach: Testosterone injections most likely led to severe stroke - Detroit News - October 4th, 2022
- What To Know About Perimenopause, And How To Manage Symptoms Once They Kick In - The Zoe Report - October 4th, 2022
- CORRECTION -- Marius Pharmaceuticals Receives FDA Approval of KYZATREX, an Oral Testosterone Replacement Therapy - GlobeNewswire - September 25th, 2022
- Testosterone replacement therapy - PubMed - September 16th, 2022
- Risks of testosterone replacement therapy in men - PMC - September 16th, 2022
- The Global Testosterone Replacement Therapy Market is expected to grow by $ 402.87 mn during 2022-2026, accelerating at a CAGR of 3.1% during the... - September 16th, 2022
- Testosterone injections most likely led to a very severe stroke - The Independent - September 16th, 2022
- Best DHEA Supplement (2022 Updated) - The Island Now - September 16th, 2022
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy in the Aged Male: Monitoring Patients | IJGM - Dove Medical Press - September 8th, 2022
- ROACH: Testosterone injections most likely led to a very severe stroke - New Castle News - September 8th, 2022
- Perform Your Best With Comprehensive Bloodwork - duPont REGISTRY News - September 8th, 2022
- What I Learned When I Stopped Testosterone Replacement Therapy |... - Cushing's Disease News - August 30th, 2022
- SARMs Before And After Results Real SARM Results And Users Review In 2022 - Outlook India - August 30th, 2022
- Larry Wheels Stops Using Steroids: "I Am Going To Be On Testosterone Replacement Therapy" Fitness Volt - Fitness Volt - August 22nd, 2022
- Hormone Replacement Therapy for Men: What to Know - Healthline - August 14th, 2022
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy Market Trends, Analysis, Demand and Global Industry Research Report, Region, and Segment Forecasts 2028 - Digital... - August 14th, 2022
- Cycling and HRT: How will it affect me? - Cyclist - August 14th, 2022
- 6 LGBTQ2S+ musicians celebrate the artists who came before them - CBC.ca - August 14th, 2022
- 'I kept thinking I was having a heart attack but it was the perimenopause' - iNews - July 27th, 2022
- Obese women with high intake of vitamin C and B6 associated with lower breast cancer risk cohort study - NutraIngredients-Asia - July 27th, 2022
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy Market | Incredible Possibilities, Growth, Trend, Opportunities Detailed Analysis and Forecast to 2030 Travel... - July 19th, 2022
- Low on the Male Hormone? 5 Effective Ways to Boost It - Times Square Chronicles - July 19th, 2022
- Ostarine MK-2866 | Review, Alternatives,Side Effects and Results-Health News - Firstpost - July 19th, 2022
- Trans teens: We need to be heard, counted. In Michigan, the backlash is harsh - Bridge Michigan - July 19th, 2022
- Testosterone Therapy Improves Erectile Function and Libido in ... - July 11th, 2022
- Low Testosterone and What You Can Do About It - The Epoch Times - July 11th, 2022
- How Long Does It Take to Feel the Benefits of Testosterone Replacement ... - July 3rd, 2022
- TRT Testosterone Replacement Therapy Clinic - Peter Uncaged MD - July 3rd, 2022
- Men have it too - The Hans India - July 3rd, 2022
- New guidelines for menopause care say women should be offered personalised treatment including diet and HRT - iNews - July 3rd, 2022
- Head-To-Head Contrast: Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB) and Clarus Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CRXT) - Defense World - July 3rd, 2022
- Im a GP heres the truth behind Davina McCalls claims about HRT and dementia... - The Sun - July 3rd, 2022
- How To Spot The Best Clinic For Your Hormone Replacement Therapy - My MMA News.com - June 22nd, 2022
- Testosterone May Aid Memory in Men With Uncontrolled Diabetes - Everyday Health - June 22nd, 2022
- Boyfriend has been secretly taking testosterone tablets and I worry he may go sterile... - The Sun - June 22nd, 2022
- Sex and aging: Overview, stats, and maintaining satisfaction - Medical News Today - June 22nd, 2022
- Once a Taboo Topic, Menopause Is (Finally) Having Its Wellness Moment - Vogue - June 4th, 2022
- Caitlyn Jenner can still hit golf ball nearly 300 yards after transitioning to female - Washington Times - June 4th, 2022
- Clarus Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRXT) Receives $6.88 Consensus PT from Analysts - Defense World - June 4th, 2022
- Juvenile Macular Degeneration Treatment Market Set to Grow According to Forecasts 2020 2030 Industrial IT - Industrial IT - June 4th, 2022
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy Market 2022 to 2028 Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Trends and Forecast Queen Anne and Mangolia News - Queen Anne... - May 15th, 2022
- Being trans and starting HRT - The Advocate - May 15th, 2022
- DHEA Levels and Their Role in Fertility for Functional Medicine Patients - Digital Journal - May 15th, 2022
- LPCN: First Quarter 2022 Financial and Operational Results - Benzinga - May 15th, 2022
- LIPOCINE INC. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (form 10-Q) - Marketscreener.com - May 15th, 2022
- No, red light therapy isnt a medically approved treatment for increasing testosterone - ABC10.com KXTV - May 2nd, 2022
- Tucker Carlsons answer to masculinitys supposed crisis? Testicle tanning - The Guardian - April 19th, 2022
- Advancements of CAR-T Cell Therapies Importance Grows While Cancer Cases Increasing - PR Newswire - April 19th, 2022
- Gilbert Gottfrieds myotonic dystrophy: 5 things to know about the rare genetic disorder - cleveland.com - April 19th, 2022
- Lia Thomas started a conversation about transgender rights. It's time we dive into it. - The Emory Wheel - April 19th, 2022
- Who are the teens at the center of the legal fight over Alabamas law banning transgender treatment? - AL.com - April 19th, 2022
- In Venice, a Young Boatman Steers a Course of His Own - The New York Times - April 19th, 2022
- Female athletes are as capable as male athletes | Opinion | kansan.com - The University Daily Kansan - April 19th, 2022
- FDA Approves Oral Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Hypogonadism - Pharmacy Times - April 6th, 2022