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The Benefits of Testosterone Replacement Therapy: Is it worth it?

There is so much information out there regarding low testosterone, replacement therapies and their side effects and benefits that it can be difficult to determine which online advice to listen to.

Some sites praise these therapies as though they are the only miracle of the modern world, some warn of dangers which may or may not exist, while others are clearly just trying to cleverly unload their products to unsuspecting readers.

With so much conflicting information and opinions surrounding the topic, deciding for yourself whether to opt for treatments can be a confusing task.

So, to help you decide whether testosterone therapy would be worth it for you, here is some information on the benefits, side effects and reasons for engaging in testosterone replacement therapy; to help you decide for yourself.​

​Testosterone Replacement Therapy: The Important Facts You Should Know

Why Men Take Testosterone Injections

testosterone replacement therapy

"Testosterone replacement therapy is a necessary treatment for men with a legitimate deficiency in this essential hormone.."

Off the record, men all over the world engage in testosterone therapy to increase their levels of this hormone for reasons ranging from body-building, fat-burning, treating depression or staving off the steady decline into sexual apathy as they grow older.

Although many men have found benefits in testosterone treatments for this reason; medically speaking, they are abusing treatments in comparison to what they are actually meant for. Especially those that undertake such treatments without consulting a doctor first.​

As a more medically official means, testosterone replacement therapy is a necessary treatment for men with a legitimate deficiency in this essential hormone.

It is often necessary to treat grown men and boys who suffer from a lack of testosterone as a result of delayed puberty, hormonal imbalances, impotence and hypogonadism (caused when the testicles have been injured or damaged).​

Testosterone treatments have also been found useful for women with hormonal imbalances and also effective when used to limit the spread of breast cancer.

Battling Testosterone Deficiency

Testosterone deficiency is not as uncommon a problem as you may think, with 1 in 4 men over the age of 30 suffering from it.

With an estimated quarter of adult men struggling with this condition, it is no surprise that testosterone replacement therapy is becoming a fairly popular routine for a lot of men.

But what is it that causes low testosterone in men?​

Causes of Low Testosterone

There are plenty of possible causes for low levels of testosterone, ranging from genetics and diet, to lifestyle choices, ageing, stress and illness.

Injury to the testicles is a fairly common cause. We all know just how sensitive the crown jewels are, and the fact that they are situated outside the body leaves them unprotected and vulnerable to injuries.

Testicular cancer and the treatments to combat it are also a common cause of lowered levels of testosterone.​

Hormonal disorders which can come as a result of many factors, some of which are unpredictable can be a cause as well.

While hormonal imbalances can be hard to diagnose by yourself, tell-tale signs like depression, a lowered sex drive, and eating disorders could be a sign of this problem.

Many chronic illnesses and infections such as certain STD's, diabetes, and chronic liver or kidney disease are another area of worry where testosterone is concerned.

Side Effects of Low Testosterone

A deficiency in testosterone may show itself in a number of ways, including:

  • ​Erectile dysfunction
  • Unbitable fatigue
  • A reduction in muscle mass and strength
  • An increase in body fat
  • Persistent back pain
  • The onset of osteoporosis as a result of lowered bone density.

If one or more of these symptoms are leading you to worry about your levels of testosterone, be sure to consult your doctor to find out more about treatments.

How is Testosterone Replacement Therapy Conducted?

And so, we get to the point of using testosterone replacement therapy to increase the much-needed hormone in the body. But how exactly is it conducted?

Typically, testosterone replacement therapy is conducted by undergoing an extended course of testosterone injections.

Usually, the patient must have these injections once a week in doses of around 100mg, seeing an initial peak in testosterone levels immediately after the injection, while the overall count will gradually rise and steady out over the course of the treatments.​

For a lot of men out there, the thought of going for weekly hormone injections is a little unsettling.

So before committing to the weekly jab, you’ll likely want to know a little more about the benefits and side effects of this treatment.​

Benefits of Testosterone Replacement Therapy

On average, only 5% of those suffering with low testosterone are receiving treatment, which is a pity because there are many benefits to the treatments for those who need it.

These benefits include:

  • ​Improved libido as testosterone levels rise.
  • Improved regulation of moods, allowing you to effectively combat stress and anxiety.
  • Improved cognition, memory and concentration.
  • An increase in muscle mass, bone density and the ability to burn fat thanks to increased protein synthesis in the body.
  • An increase in red blood-cell production which boosts the immune system.

Side Effects of Testosterone Injections

For many men, the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy are life changing. However, a small amount of those that undergo treatments may suffer a certain degree of the following side effects:

  • ​Swelling in the ankles due to water retention and rapid weight gain.
  • Persistent erections (things could be worse).
  • Body pains, nausea, a loss of appetite, muscle twitches and restlessness.
  • Cognitive difficulties with regards to concentration and memory.
  • An increase in thirst and the need to urinate.

When undergoing testosterone replacement treatments, if you experience any of these side effects, you should consult your physician immediately.

Deciding if it is Worth It

Weighing up the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy against its possible dangers, costs and side effects can be difficult, even with all of this information at hand.

It really comes down to the severity of your deficiency and how it impacts your life.

​Speaking to your doctor for more information on treatments, as well as helping you determine if they are right for you is a good idea before jumping into therapy.

Finding our as much as you can about the need for such treatments is also a good idea. Visit the TRT Medical Center website for more information on testosterone replacement therapy.

What do you think?

Written by Terrence Kennedy

Terrence Kennedy is the man’s man on a journey to self-discovery. A traveler, extreme sports aficionado, an observant wanderer, a DIY-Know-How, an ultimate outsider and a documentarist of culture, sex, dating, relationship, fashion, style and gentleman's etiquette. He has learned a lot through his escapades, and is happy to pass that knowledge on to you.