Is Testosterone Therapy Right for Me?
So you’re getting a bit older. You’re not producing as much testosterone as you once did, and you feel less active and a bit more sluggish each day. You want to reclaim a bit of your youth, so you’ve probably considered testosterone therapy at some point or another. It has loads of benefits for men who are aging or are unable to produce enough of the hormone on their own. It also has a few considerations to keep in mind, too. If you’re interested in testosterone therapy, here’s what you need to know.
Benefits of testosterone therapy
The items in the “pros” column for testosterone therapy seem pretty substantial. After all, low levels of testosterone can cause all sorts of problems. The reduced sexual function, which may impact your libido or even your performance, is typically the top consideration for men who are considering testosterone therapy. However, it’s not the only drawback of lowered testosterone levels. Testosterone replacement therapy, when administered appropriately, aims to restore hormonal balance and address specific health issues.
Testosterone also helps regulate how men sleep. As such, lower levels of the hormone mean that your sleep schedule might become more erratic. You may find it harder to fall asleep and even harder to stay asleep. Low testosterone can also have numerous impacts on your physical appearance. You may find that you’re gaining added body fat, losing muscle density, and experiencing hair loss. It can also contribute to reduced energy. As if that weren’t enough, your testosterone levels can greatly impact your emotional state, causing mood swings, irritability, and depression. You might also experience forgetfulness or “foggy brain.”
Testosterone therapy has been suggested as a treatment for all of those concerns and many more. Many men report that, with the help of testosterone therapy, they’ve gained more energy, experience more sexual virility, and aren’t seeing those negative physical impacts of aging. If one regimen could handle all of these issues for you, wouldn’t you take it?
Drawbacks of testosterone therapy
The primary drawback of these therapies is that there simply isn’t enough research that clearly advocates for it. While increased testosterone levels can be beneficial in many circumstances, clinical trials are still underway verifying the validity of many product claims. Chances are, if a product is marketing itself as a cure-for-all of sorts, it might not be the most legitimate offering out there. The lack of research doesn’t mean that testosterone therapy doesn’t work, though. Oftentimes, relying on user reviews and word-of-mouth feedback is enough to inform your decision.
On top of that, the above symptoms might have numerous causes that have nothing to do with your testosterone levels at all. In fact, the only way to correctly and accurately diagnose low testosterone is through a blood test. If you’re experiencing the aforementioned symptoms and are concerned about your testosterone levels, it’s important that you consult your physician to undergo testing and determine the proper course of action.
Come prepared to your doctor’s appointment with a list of questions about testosterone therapy and its potential benefits. It’s possible that your physician will recommend an alternative. It’s also possible that they will encourage testosterone therapy and may even have a few products that they personally endorse. Above all, don’t begin a new supplement, regimen, or therapy routine without consulting your physician beforehand. Some testosterone products aren’t well-regulated and can have some serious side effects. Always do adequate research before committing to a purchase and make sure that you have the go-ahead from your primary. Testosterone therapy is one of the best testosterone boosters and can have many benefits, but only when it’s introduced into your body in a smart, safe way.