TRT can be a helpful treatment for men who suffer from low testosterone due to various reasons such as older age, diabetes, and obesity. It is important to know that low testosterone can affect mood, muscle mass, energy levels, and sex drive and should be addressed if symptoms are limiting quality of life. AHN physicians can offer a variety of treatments that can reintroduce testosterone into the body through gels, injections, patches, or pellet implants. Our doctors will take your symptoms and preferences into consideration, and determine the best treatment option for you.

Navigating Hormonal Health: Understanding the Basics of Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Testosterone therapy can increase both serum and plasma testosterone concentrations and enhance the sensitivity of the prostate gland to testosterone, increasing prostate-specific antigen levels (SGA) and total testicular volume. It also increases bone density in men with osteoporosis and improves cognitive function. Several studies have shown that testosterone treatment is effective in improving symptoms attributable to low testosterone levels, including erectile dysfunction and intercourse satisfaction, as well as depression and fatigue. However, some studies have found an association between testosterone and cardiovascular events, though these findings may be due to reverse causality or confounding by other factors.

In general, it takes a month or two for the effects of testosterone treatment to begin kicking in and the duration of therapy is usually short-term. Several different types of treatment methods are available, such as gels, topical sprays, and long-acting injectable testosterone, all of which are proven to be safe and efficacious.