Andropause, a condition signifying a reduction in the body’s production of testosterone, can affect the health of older men, but testosterone replacement therapy can help to relieve many of the symptoms.
When men reach a certain age, their testosterone begins to decline. According to a published article on the Harvard Medical School website, the average man over 70 years of age is living with testosterone levels that are 30% below peak levels. Unlike women, who experience a drastic decline in hormones during menopause, men’s testosterone decreases gradually, about 1% per year after age 40, so the health effects can take a while to appear. According to another article on the website for the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, about 39% of men 45 and older live with low testosterone levels. Because low testosterone can adversely affect the health of older men, these numbers are concerning.
To help you learn more about how andropause can influence your health, let’s take a look at the health effects of low testosterone and how testosterone replacement therapy works.
The Health Effects of Low Testosterone
Men with low testosterone may experience a wide range of negative health effects. Testosterone deficiency is often associated with several common conditions, including diminished energy and sex drive, depression, and osteoporosis. Other medical conditions include:
- Anemia
- Heart disease
- Metabolic syndrome
- Diabetes
- Atherosclerosis
- Obesity
- and erectile dysfunction
Some of these conditions can be interrelated. For instance, low sex drive and erectile dysfunction can result in depression, which sometimes leads to weight gain because low energy levels often prevent adequate physical activity.
Low testosterone can also cause other serious diseases, like osteoporosis. According to the National Institute of Health’s Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center, low testosterone is one of the leading causes of secondary osteoporosis. Osteoporosis causes decreased bone density, which can increase the chances of broken bones from a fall. Complications from broken bones in older men can be fatal.
What Is Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is the introduction of testosterone into the body either through skin absorption or oral application. Increasing the level of testosterone in those going through andropause often has many positive effects, including improved sex drive, fat loss, muscle gain, and higher energy levels, which can encourage exercise.
While TRT can be beneficial for many, it is not for everyone. Speak to your doctor about whether it is right for you if you have increased red blood cell counts, sleep apnea, or heart, liver, or kidney disease. Do not start taking testosterone if you have prostate or breast cancer or if your Prostate-Specific Antigen serum levels are high.
Want to Simplify Your Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
Talk to us about how we can help you make Testosterone Replacement Therapy simpler. Compounding not only helps patients keep taking their medication when they should—it also makes life simpler. Come visit Marco Drugs & Compounding today to fill your prescription the way you want.
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