Testosterone is a hormone. It’s made by the bodies of both men and women. It plays a role in puberty and fertility. It also affects sexual desire. In men, most testosterone is made in the testes. In women, most testosterone is made in the ovaries.
Men have higher levels of testosterone than women. It’s thought that testosterone greatly influences the development of many characteristics considered to be male traits. It helps increase muscle bulk, bone mass, physical strength, and the amount of body hair.
The levels of testosterone in your body are constantly changing in response to your body’s needs. However, the overall level of testosterone in your body changes throughout your lifetime as well. It usually decreases, particularly for men aged 30 years and older. For some men, these levels can become too low and cause unwanted effects that have them looking for ways to increase their testosterone levels.
- How to increase testosterone levels?
- There may be certain lifestyle changes to help increase testosterone levels. Adding resistance exercise and losing weight are two changes that can have an effect.
- Research has indicated that resistance exercise, such as lifting weights, is related to temporary increases in testosterone levels. However, those increases are typically much higher in younger men than older men and don’t appear to greatly increase the overall level of testosterone.
- Most exercise, especially cardiovascular exercise, can contribute to the loss of excessive weight, which can help to increase levels of testosterone. This is particularly true for people who are obese.
- What is testosterone replacement therapy?
- Testosterone replacement therapyis used to help treat people with abnormally low levels of testosterone. These abnormally low levels usually affect normal body functions, which can contribute to decreased muscle mass and a lower sex drive, among other effects.
- For this treatment, testosterone medication is prescribed. This medication is testosterone in pills, patches, and gel that you apply to your skin, and liquid that you inject into your body. It helps to increase your body’s overall testosterone level and eliminate or decrease certain symptoms of low testosterone.
- What are side effects of Testosterone Therapy?
- If you have testosterone replacement therapy, you will need frequent blood tests to check your testosterone levels and to check for side effects. Side effects can include an increased number of red blood cells and rarely, blood clots. You also may experience acne and breast enlargement.
- What is low testosterone in men?
- Testosterone levels in men usually peak around the age of 19 years. After the age of 30 years, these levels begin to naturally decrease in all men. However, for some men these levels become abnormally low. According to one study, almost 40% of men older than 45 years have abnormally low levels of testosterone. These abnormally low levels can cause symptoms.
- What are some symptoms of low testosterone?
- Symptoms of abnormally low testosterone can be bothersome. Some symptoms can have an impact on your quality of life. These symptoms can include:
- decreased body hair
- decreased muscle mass
- low sex drive
- erectile dysfunction
- growth of breast tissue
- Symptoms of abnormally low testosterone can be bothersome. Some symptoms can have an impact on your quality of life. These symptoms can include:
If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms and don’t believe they’re caused by something else, contact us to schedule your hormone evaluation. We will help you to optimize your levels so that you are feeling better.
For more information on Testosterone Treatment and how we can help you, contact Balanced Health Medical Center at (240) 389-5734.
