Testosterone therapy uses the male hormone testosterone to treat symptoms of low testosterone level.
TESTOSTERONE AND YOUR BODY
Testosterone is a hormone made by the testicles in men. It is the most important androgen (male) hormone in the body. Androgens like testosterone are often called steroids or anabolic steroids
Testosterone is important for:
As you become older, testosterone levels slowly drop. This can lead to signs and symptoms, including:
WHO SHOULD TRY TESTOSTERONE THERAPY?
To help assess if testosterone therapy is right for you, your doctor will likely do the following:
If your testosterone level is low, your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of testosterone therapy and how this therapy may help you.
You should understand that many of the symptoms of a low testosterone level are thought to be a normal part of aging.
HOW IS TESTOSTERONE THERAPY GIVEN?
The medicine used is man-made testosterone. It can be given as:
Talk with your doctor about which form of testosterone is right for you.
RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS
Before taking testosterone, discuss these risks with your doctor:
Testosterone therapy may cause growth of the prostate gland. Discuss with your doctor the following:
Pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as children, should avoid contact with this medicine. Follow package instructions about other precautions for the type of testosterone you are using.
WHEN TO CONTACT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It is important to have regular checkups with your health care provider when taking testosterone therapy. If you have side effects, call your health care provider.
Testosterone replacement therapy; Androgen therapy; Androgen replacement therapy; Testosterone deficiency - replacement
Bhasin S, Cunningham GR, Hayes FJ, et al. Testosterone therapy in adult men with androgen deficiency syndromes: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab
Swerdloff RS, Wang C. The testis and male sexual function. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds.Goldman's Cecil Medicine
Updated by: Brent Wisse, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Nutrition, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc., Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Bethanne Black, Stephanie Slon, and Nissi Wang.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Hypogonadism occurs when the body's sex glands produce little or no hormones. In men, these glands (gonads) are the testes. In women, these glands are the ovaries.
The cause of hypogonadism is primary or central. In primary hypogonadism, the ovaries or testes themselves do not function properly. Causes of primary hypogonadism include:
The most common genetic disorders that cause primary hypogonadism are Turner syndrome (in women) and Klinefelter syndrome (in men).
In central hypogonadism, the centers in the brain that control the gonads (hypothalamus and pituitary) do not function properly. Causes of central hypogonadism include:
A genetic cause of central hypogonadism that also takes away the sense of smell is Kallmann syndrome in males. The most common tumors affecting the pituitary are craniopharyngioma in children and prolactinoma in adults.
Girls who have hypogonadism will not begin menstruating. Hypogonadism can affect breast development and height in girls. If hypogonadism occurs after puberty, symptoms include:
In boys, hypogonadism affects muscle and beard development and leads to growth problems. In men the symptoms are:
If a brain tumor is present (central hypogonadism), there may be:
People with anorexia nervosa who diet to the point of starvation and those who lose a lot of weight very quickly, such as after gastric bypass surgery, may also have central hypogonadism.
Tests may be done that check:
Other tests may include:
Sometimes imaging tests are needed, such as a sonogram of the ovaries. If pituitary disease is suspected, an MRI or CT scan of the brain may be done.
Hormone-based medicines may be prescribed. For girls and women, estrogen and progesterone come in the form of a pill or skin patch. For boys and men, testosterone can be given as a skin patch, skin gel, a solution applied to the armpit, a patch applied to the upper gum, or by injection.
For women who have not had their uterus removed, combination treatment with estrogen and progesterone may decrease the chance of developing endometrial cancer. Women with hypogonadism who have low sex drive may also be prescribed low-dose testosterone.
In some women, injections or pills can be used to stimulate ovulation. Injections of pituitary hormone may be used to help male patients produce sperm. Other people may need surgery and radiation therapy.
Many forms of hypogonadism are treatable and have a good outlook.
In women, hypogonadism may cause infertility. Menopause is a form of hypogonadism that occurs naturally and can cause hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and irritability as a woman's estrogen levels fall. The risk of osteoporosis and heart disease increase after menopause.
Some women with hypogonadism take estrogen therapy, especially those who have early menopause (premature ovarian failure). But there is an increased risk of breast cancer and heart disease when hormone therapy is used long-term to treat menopause symptoms.
In men, hypogonadism results in loss of sex drive and may cause:
Men normally have lower testosterone as they age, but the decline is not as dramatic or steep as the decline in sex hormones that women experience.
Talk to your doctor if you notice:
Both men and women should call their health care provider if they have headaches or vision problems.
Maintain normal body weight and healthy eating habits to prevent anorexia nervosa. Other causes may not be preventable.
Gonadal deficiency
Source: National Library of Medicine
Testosterone Enantate
Testosterone enantate (test-ost-er-rone en-an-tate) is a medicine which is used in testosterone replacement therapy.
The information in this Medicine Guide for Testosterone enantate varies according to the condition being treated and the particular preparation used.
Testosterone enantate contains a hormone which is similar to the hormone testosterone that is produced by the body. Testosterone is a male sex hormone that is responsible for the development of male characteristics. These include growth of hair on the face and body, deepening of the voice, muscle development and the development of the male genitalia. Testosterone is also important for maintaining libido and fertility in men. In men who do not produce enough testosterone, Testosterone enantate is used to reduce the effects of a low level of testosterone.
Other information about Testosterone enantate:
Testosterone enantate is usually given to you by a healthcare professional. The person responsible for giving you your medicine will make sure that you get the right dose.
If you feel that the medicine is making you unwell or you do not think it is working, then talk to your prescriber or someone involved in your medical care.
Testosterone enantate is not suitable for everyone and some people should never use it. Other people should only use it with special care. It is important that the person prescribing this medicine knows your full medical history.
Your prescriber may only prescribe this medicine with special care or may not prescribe it at all if you:
Testosterone enantate is not used for a child or an adolescent.
As part of the process of assessing suitability to take this medicine a prescriber may also arrange tests:
Over time it is possible that Testosterone enantate can become unsuitable for some people, or they may become unsuitable for it. If at any time it appears that Testosterone enantate has become unsuitable, it is important that the prescriber is contacted immediately.
Alcohol can interact with certain medicines.
In the case of Testosterone enantate:
Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your prescriber may advise you to avoid certain foods.
In the case of Testosterone enantate:
When taking any medicine you should be aware that it might interfere with your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
In the case of Testosterone enantate:
You should see how this medicine affects you before you judge whether you are safe to drive or operate machinery. If you are in any doubt about whether you should drive or operate machinery, talk to your prescriber.
This medicine must not be taken by women so its effects in pregnancy are not known.
This medicine must not be taken by women so its effects on breast-feeding are not known.
If you are taking more than one medicine they may interact with each other. At times your prescriber may decide to use medicines that interact, in other cases this may not be appropriate.
The decision to use medicines that interact depends on your specific circumstances. Your prescriber may decide to use medicines that interact, if it is believed that the benefits of taking the medicines together outweigh the risks. In such cases, it may be necessary to alter your dose or monitor you more closely.
Tell your prescriber the names of all the medicines that you are taking so that they can consider all possible interactions. This includes all the medicines which have been prescribed by your GP, hospital doctor, dentist, nurse, health visitor, midwife or pharmacist. You must also tell your prescriber about medicines which you have bought over the counter without prescriptions.
The following medicines may interact with Testosterone enantate:
The following types of medicine may interact with Testosterone enantate:
If you are taking Testosterone enantate and one of the above medicines or types of medicines, make sure your prescriber knows about it.
Medicines can interact with complementary preparations and vitamins. In general, there is not much information available about interactions between medicines and complementary preparations or vitamins.
If you are planning to take or are already taking any complementary preparations and vitamins you should ask your prescriber whether there are any known interactions with Testosterone enantate.
Your prescriber can advise whether it is appropriate for you to take combinations that are known to interact. They can also discuss with you the possible effect that the complementary preparations and vitamins may have on your condition.
If you experience any unusual effects while taking this medicine in combination with complementary preparations and vitamins, you should tell your prescriber.
Content provided by Datapharm
Source: NHS Choices, UK
Do Testosterone Supplements/Boosters Work?
Can Testosterone Supplements Improve Your Sex Drive?
Testosterone therapy
Many men experience declining sex drive as they age — and physiology is a factor. Testosterone, the hormone that boosts sexual desire, sperm production, bone density, and muscle mass, peaks at about age 30.
Men might experience less interest in sex as the level declines, or not be able to sexually perform as well as they would like. A dip in sexual interest can cause depression and could damage important intimate relationships. It’s natural to want to do something about it.
If you’re wondering whether testosterone therapy can help improve your sex drive, here’s a look at the research.
What does testosterone do?
Testosterone and estrogen are the main sex hormones. Both men and women produce testosterone, but men make more. Women produce more estrogen than men.
Testosterone makes male sex organs grow when boys are developing. It also supports male physical attributes such as facial hair growth, broader shoulders, and denser muscle development.
Sexual excitement is caused in part by a rise in testosterone, though other factors contribute. Testosterone levels rise and fall throughout the day. Some men notice they are more excitable when testosterone is high, which is usually in the mornings.
Testosterone levels also fluctuate over your lifespan and start to decline after age 30. This could mean a man has less interest in sex later in life, and possibly less firm erections as well as softer muscle tone.
Aside from aging, there are several other causes that can result in lowered testosterone. They include:
Testosterone supplements
Testosterone therapy can help treat hypogonadism. This condition occurs when the body can’t produce enough testosterone on its own. However, it’s unclear whether supplements can help.
A study published in Nature Reviews EndocrinologyTrusted Source found no scientific reason to prescribe testosterone to men over 65 years of age with normal or low-to-normal testosterone levels.
Heart and prostate risks
In fact, testosterone supplements might cause more problems than they solve. Studies have suggested a connection between supplements and heart problems. A 2010 study reported in The New England Journal of Medicine showed that some men over age 65 had an increase in heart problems when they used testosterone gel.
A later studyTrusted Source of men younger than 65 at risk for heart problems and heart-healthy older men showed that both groups had a greater risk of heart attack when taking testosterone supplements.
A 2014 study in ratsTrusted Source concluded testosterone supplementation was a “strong tumor promoter for the rat prostate.” Human studies are needed.
Side effects
Like other supplements and medications, testosterone therapy comes with risks and possible side effects. This is particularly true if you try to take it for normal aging rather than for treatment of a condition.
The effects that these supplements may have on your heart and prostate can lead to a number of potential issues. Complications include:
While low testosterone is a common cause of low sex drive in men, there are a variety of other possible causes.
Psychological causes can contribute to low libido in men. These include anxiety, depression, stress, or relationship problems.
In addition to low testosterone, there are a variety of other physical causes that can result in a decreased sex drive. Some of these physical causes include:
Your doctor can help you determine what’s causing your low libido. And they may recommend counseling if they believe psychological factors are contributing to it.
Natural remedies for increasing testosterone
Testosterone therapy isn’t for everyone, and there are natural remedies available that you can try. You can also try the following:
Medical News Today
Can Testosterone Supplements Improve Your Sex Drive?
Why do we need testosterone?
Last updated Wed 6 February 2019
By Markus MacGill
Reviewed by Daniel Murrell, MD
What is testosterone?
Imbalances Testosterone levels and aging Treatment Outlook
Testosterone is the key male sex hormone that regulates fertility, muscle mass, fat distribution, and red blood cell production.
When levels of testosterone drop below levels that are healthy, they can lead to conditions like hypogonadism or infertility. There are, however, sources from which people with low testosterone can boost their levels.
Low testosterone is becoming more and more common. The number of prescriptions for testosterone supplements has increased fivefold since 2012.
This article will explore what testosterone does and whether men should worry about decreasing levels of the hormone as they grow older.
Fast facts on testosterone
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is the male sex hormone.
Testosterone is the hormone responsible for the development of male sexual characteristics. Hormones are chemical messengers that trigger necessary changes in the body. Females also produce testosterone, usually in smaller amounts.
It is a type of androgen produced primarily by the testicles in cells called the Leydig cells.
In men, testosterone is thought to regulate a number of functions alongside sperm production. These include:
Without adequate amounts of testosterone, men become infertile. This is because testosterone assists the development of mature sperm.
Despite being a male sex hormone, testosterone also contributes to sex drive, bone density, and muscle strength in women. However, an excess of testosterone can also cause women to experience male pattern baldness and infertility.
The brain and pituitary gland control testosterone levels. Once produced, the hormone moves through the blood to carry out its various important functions.
Testosterone imbalances
Testosterone test
Testosterone decreases naturally with age. It is important to receive tests to determine whether any imbalances are due to an active condition.
High or low levels of testosterone can lead to dysfunction in the parts of the body normally regulated by the hormone.
When a man has low testosterone, or hypogonadism, he may experience:
Over time, these symptoms may develop in the following ways:
Chronic, or ongoing, low testosterone may lead to osteoporosis, mood swings, reduced energy, and testicular shrinkage.
Causes can include:
Too much testosterone, on the other hand, can lead to the triggering of puberty before the age of 9 years. This condition would mainly affect younger men and is much rarer.
In women, however, high testosterone levels can lead to male pattern baldness, a deep voice, and menstrual irregularities, as well as:
Recent studies have also linked high testosterone levels in women to the risk of uterine fibroids.
Testosterone imbalances can be detected with a blood test and treated accordingly.
Testosterone levels and aging
Testosterone levels naturally decrease as a man ages.
The effects of gradually lowering testosterone levels as men age have received increasing attention in recent years. It is known as late-onset hypogonadism.
After the age of 40, the concentration of circulating testosterone falls by about 1.6 percent every year for most men. By the age of 60, the low levels of testosterone would lead to a diagnosis of hypogonadism in younger men.
About 4 in 10 men have hypogonadism by the time they reach 45 years old. The number of cases in which older men have been diagnosed as having low testosterone increased 170 percent since 2012.
Low testosterone has been associated with increased mortality in male veterans. Late-onset hypogonadism has become a recognized medical condition, although many of the symptoms are associated with normal aging.
The following are symptoms of late-onset hypogonadism:
As well as sexual dysfunction, late-onset hypogonadism has also been associated with metabolic disease and cardiovascular disease.
The degree to which testosterone levels decline varies between men, but a growing number of men experience the effects of reduced testosterone levels. Life expectancy has increased, and many men now live beyond the age of 60 years.
As a result, a higher number of men see the effects of age-related testosterone depletion.
Treatment
Administering treatment for hypogonadism as the result of a disease differs from treating late-onset hypogonadism in older men.
Testosterone supplements
One proposed treatment for low testosterone comes in the form of testosterone supplements.
One type of testosterone supplement, methyltestosterone, has received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, guidelines advise doctors not to prescribe this supplement due to the speed with which the liver metabolizes testosterone.
This can lead to liver toxicity. While doctors can legally prescribe the supplement, they generally try to avoid this.
Until stronger evidence is available to support the benefits and safety of testosterone supplementation, only older adults with severe clinical symptoms of low testosterone should be candidates for these supplements.
The FDA have advised that testosterone supplements are not suitable to treat late-onset hypogonadism, and a doctor should only prescribe them for an identifiable cause.
Testosterone replacement therapy
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can help restore some affected functions of low testosterone.
Studies have shown that TRT mainly impacts bone strength and hemoglobin levels in the blood, but not mental sharpness.
The treatment can be administered by:
These can, however, trigger side effects, including:
Deciding to pursue a course of TRT involves deciding between the perceived benefit of the therapy on the symptoms of a particular individual and the risks of the treatment.
A recent study, for example, suggests that TRT provides extra benefit for overall mortality and stroke for men whose testosterone levels have normalized with TRT.
However, the Endocrine Society advises that doctors should not prescribe TRT to men aged less than 65 years, even if they have low testosterone levels. The risks and suggested benefits of TRT for men younger than this are unclear, as are the benefits.
Current research is conflicting. Additional studies into testosterone replacement are necessary for physicians to fully understand its potential risks and benefits, and to identify the individuals that may see the most benefit.
Prohormone supplements and heart disease
Prohormone supplements are often used in place of illegal steroids to build muscle. However, they are a poor choice for treating low testosterone.
Prohormones are a variety of steroid. They are often used to support weight loss and muscle-building.
A number of prohormone supplements are marketed at men to treat low testosterone levels. Such supplements can include dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and the herbal product Tribulus terrestris. However, a bill was passed in 2014 banning designer anabolic steroids.
Legal variants have emerged since. However, there is little, if any, research to indicate that these prohormone supplements affect testosterone levels. Such remedies may pose a risk to health. The law does not require herbal supplements to be proven safe before sale, so caution is advised.
Prohormones can increase testosterone but boost estrogen, the female hormone, at the same time. They can also cause an imbalance in blood cholesterol, decreasing levels of "good" cholesterol.
The potential side effects of prohormones plus their unproven clinical benefits make them a poor, possibly dangerous choice for boosting testosterone.
Outlook
For men, testosterone levels are important to maintain, but they naturally decrease over time. If symptoms of severe or chronic low testosterone are showing, the hormone deficiency may be caused by an active disease or condition.
Treatment can lead to unwanted side effects, so it can be crucial to balance the expected benefits of testosterone supplementation with the risks of the treatment. Often, low testosterone levels come without harmful physical effects and do not require treatment.
Speak to a medical professional, and confirm if treatment is required.