What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
Testosterone is the male hormone that causes hair growth, sexual desire, muscle mass, strong bones, and energy and drive. As men age, the level of testosterone in the bloodstream decreases naturally, but generally this change poses no problem. In some men however, especially older men with secondary health problems, reduced levels of testosterone can cause complications that make testosterone treatment worthwhile. Some of the conditions that can cause testosterone to fall below healthy levels in a man include chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer, injury to the testicles, loss of one or both testicles, medications for prostate cancer, stress, certain chronic illnesses, cirrhosis of the liver, corticosteroid drugs, alcoholism, and various inflammatory illnesses like sarcoidosis. Not all men need testosterone therapy just because they are getting older, but some men do benefit from testosterone treatment when a secondary issue such as treatment for cancer or erectile dysfunction causes undue stress due to low levels of this important male hormone. To find out if a man needs testosterone therapy, a physician will do a simple series of blood tests and ask a number of diagnostic questions about general health and mood. If testosterone therapy is indicated, it can be taken as an intramuscular injection every two to three weeks, as a mucoadhesive material applied above the teeth twice a day, as an oral tablet, as a gel, or as a patch worn on the body or on the testicles. Testosterone therapy can cause some side effects; including stimulation of the prostate, mild fluid retention, oily skin or acne, and in younger men, decreased sperm count. In recent years, menopausal women have also found that mild testosterone therapy helps restore libido. Testosterone therapy for women is generally done at a much, much lower dosage in the form of a cream or sometimes a patch worn on the skin. Testosterone therapy for women is also prescribed by doctors in some cases for relief of the hot flashes that can come with menopause. Testosterone levels in women do drop at menopause, but just as with men, this is not a problem for all or even most women. Women who experience thinning hair, dry skin, decreased desire, hot flashes, or other intense menopausal symptoms that make them uncomfortable or have negative impacts on a relationship can get their testosterone levels checked with a simple blood test. Women interested in testosterone therapy should discuss their concern thoroughly with a doctor. Some studies have suggested that long term use of testosterone replacement therapy in women can lead to increased risk of breast cancer, so it is important for women experiencing discomfort at menopause to consider all options before embarking on testosterone replacement therapy.
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