by Vladimire Herard
A variety of medications and forms of treatment can help men regain healthy testosterone levels, researchers say.
As more research, clinical trials and policy developed over decades to discover, try and validate drugs and approaches, men now have at their disposal different means of testosterone replacement therapy.
Various forms of therapy have long been documented in reports by the American Society for Clinical Pathology, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the American Urological Association and the Endocrine Society/American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.
Roughly three million men, mostly middle-aged to older men with lowered testosterone levels, seek therapy nationwide annually. Over half of testosterone drugs are prescribed by their doctors.
Testosterone is central to important functions of the human body and must be replenished to fulfill those essential roles.
Factors such as age, gender and medical status weigh in on your body’s ability to continue to produce the hormone. Hence the different varieties.
The hormone is naturally made in the male organ known as the testes. Its functions include helping build muscle and develop strength.
Testosterone also keeps healthy bone density, spreads fat cells throughout the body, controls sex drive and sperm production and generates red blood cells.
When men start to age, their testosterone levels drop. Some illnesses can trigger autoimmune diseases, diabetes, HIV infections and lowered testosterone levels.
As their testosterone levels diminish, men may endure symptoms like anemia, brain fog, depression, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, fat gain, hair loss, hot flashes, irritability, mood changes and muscle loss.
Since testosterone is available in different versions, you do best to get to know them so you and your doctor may choose well. The right choice is based on your medical history, likes and dislikes, finances and side effects.
Side effects include acne, breathing problems at night, ankle swelling, breast swelling and tenderness, high blood cell counts clots and prostate cancer cell growth.
The original form of testosterone replacement therapy are injections and are still widely used. They were the first variety to be approved by the FDA for such use.
Though they are controlled substances and your doctor ought to prescribe them, injected testosterone can still be misused.
You or a doctor can inject the hormone into a muscle or under your skin. The versions include Depo-Testosterone, Aveed for every 10 weeks after the first two doses, and Xyosted once a week.
Testosterone can also assume gel form as well. This version is applied to and is absorbed into your skin. Each variety carries its own set of instructions and amounts to use. Well-known brands include AndroGel, Fortesta, Testim and Vogelxo.
Your doctor will advise you to wash your hands and to not come in contact with others after applying a gel to your skin. In this way, it won’t taint others or get into your eyes, mouth and nose.
You may also opt to use a testosterone patch, also known as the brand Androderm, to your skin. They are to be worn all day and they work best at night.
You cannot wear the patch in the same location on your skin for more than a week or you risk irritation or even infection.
Pellets, also known under the brand Testopel, represent another form of testosterone. They can be implanted under your skin. It takes time to release testosterone.
Testopel can last three to six months. This version can be convenient if you don’t want to take or use the hormone too often. Still, the pellet must be injected by your doctor so you are expected to visit the clinic each time.
Testosterone can also take the form of a nasal gel, known as Natesto. This type uses an applicator to apply the drug to each nostril. Your body absorbs it fast so it must be replenished three times daily.
While it isn’t as common as the other aforementioned versions, testosterone can also be taken in the form of oral pills. This is in large part because they are associated with liver damage.
Pill brands include jatenzo, Methitest and Tlando. Jatenzo is meant for men impacted by genetic disorders or cancer.
Lastly, men also have the choice of bioidentical hormone therapy to restore their reserves of testosterone.
This form involves FDA-approved medications made in a lab to chemically mimick the natural hormones in your system. A compounding pharmacy is charged with manufacturing these substances for safe and effective use.
