
What is Low Testosterone?
Testosterone is a male sex hormone produced in the testicles. Testosterone hormone levels are essential for appropriate male sexual development and function.
Male characteristics including body and facial hair, a deeper voice, and physical power are developed in males throughout puberty (the adolescent years). Men require testosterone to produce sperm. Older men frequently have low blood levels of testosterone since those levels typically decline with age.
Some guys have low amounts of testosterone. Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (TD) or Low Testosterone (Low-T) is the medical term for this condition. A deficiency occurs when the body lacks a required ingredient.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Low testosterone symptoms can vary greatly, especially depending on age.
Symptoms of low testosterone in individuals who were born male include:
- Low sex drive
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Reduced muscle mass
- Depression
- Irritation
- Fatigue
- Shrinking testicles
- Low sperm count
- Loss of body hair
- Less beard growth
Causes of Low Testosterone
Testosterone levels naturally decline as men age, but low testosterone can also be caused by other disorders or events. These might include:
- Cancer
- Aids
- Testicle injuries
- Obesity
- Pituitary gland conditions
- Stress
- Use of certain medications
- Kidney diseases
- Liver Cirrhosis
How to treat Low Testosterone?
Male hypogonadism (low testosterone) is treated by healthcare practitioners using testosterone replacement treatment. There are various types of testosterone replacement treatment, including:
- Testosterone skin gels: Apply the gel to clean, dry skin on a daily basis. It is critical that you do not spread the gel to another individual via skin-to-skin contact.
- Oral testosterone: Undecanoate, a tablet version of testosterone, is available for persons who have low testosterone owing to medical problems such as Klinefelter syndrome or tumors that have destroyed their pituitary gland.
- Injections of testosterone intramuscularly: Every 1 to 2 weeks, you or a clinician can inject the medication into a muscle. Every 10 weeks, providers can inject long-acting testosterone into patients. Subcutaneous injections are also a possibility.
- Testosterone pellets: These pellets are implanted beneath your skin by a doctor every three to six months. The pellets give long-term testosterone doses that are constant.
- Testosterone patches: You apply these patches to your skin every day as prescribed. To avoid skin responses, you should typically rotate their placement.
- Buccal testosterone tablets: These are sticky pills that you put twice a day to your gums. The testosterone enters your circulation swiftly through your gums.
- Testosterone nasal gel: Apply a testosterone nasal gel into each nostril three times each day.