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Testosterone Replacement Therapy St Petersburg FL

By Karen Sullivan


Low levels of the hormone testosterone might not need any treatment. There are side effects that are related to testosterone replacement therapy, plus there are no known long term benefits. When one is considering the procedure, the best thing would be to talk to a doctor to know whether the procedure is ideal. When considering testosterone replacement therapy St Petersburg FL residents need to know what the treatment involves.

There are some instances in which symptoms of low levels of testosterone are easily seen, while in certain cases they are not. Over a period of time, levels of low testosterone in men decline as they age. In addition to that, some conditions will lead to decreased levels of the hormone, including depression, low muscle mass, irritability and erectile dysfunction. In case someone has low testosterone levels and tests indicate the levels are very low, replacement therapy might be needed. The treatment is however not required if there are no symptoms.

There are different options available for the treatment. The skin patch is one such option and is worn on arms or upper body. It is supposed to be applied once daily. The other option is the use of gels. Gels come in clear packets and have the hormone. When gels are applied, the hormone gets absorbed into the body. A mouth patch is an option too and is taken as a tablet or other oral means. Implants and injections are ideal in some cases.

One should know what the therapy involves. Generally, it is not easy to predict the results because treatments work differently in individuals. In many people however, the possible outcomes are improved energy levels, more quality erections and improved sex drive. The mass of muscles could also improve, as well as density of bones.

There are possible side effects that one should expect. These include itching, rash and irritation at the site where the hormone was applied. Some studies show that there is increased risk of stroke and heart attack that is associated with the use of testosterone. Conditions that might be made worse with the treatment include sleep apnea, blood clots and congestive heart failure.

There are men that grow breasts after the procedure. That is not a common occurrence but is a possibility when there is conversion of testosterone into estrogen. The effects of testosterone are diminished by estrogen. The use if aromatase inhibitors controls this effect but should also be closely monitored. The monitoring is important because if there is over-suppression of estrogen, there will be a feeling of fatigue.

It is possible that the treatment could lead to infertility. The testicles will be made to atrophy and be unable to make adequate sperms and testosterone. This will have an impact on fertility. Those that are on the hormone for a long term could have their natural hormone production affected.

When one is not sure whether they need the therapy, it is best to consult a doctor. A doctor will explain the different risks and benefits. They will also test hormone levels twice or so before advising on the way forward.




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