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Testosterone Therapy: What Men Need to Know About Low T and TRT Treatment Los Angeles Times

While sedentary behavior, poor diet, and exposure to environmental toxins all decrease T levels over time, prevention is possible. As described above, diet, stress management, and several other nonmedical approaches may be effective in staving off low testosterone issues. Yes, TRT has been said to lower sperm count, especially if taken without precautions. That is one reason why some men are prescribed hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) alongside TRT to maintain testicular function and fertility potential. When there is infertility, specific fertility-sparing, testosterone-raising regimens are used, generally off-label, including clomiphene citrate or human chorionic gonadotropin HCG).

Frequently needing to pee (including during the night), dribbling urine, and painful, burning pee or ejaculation might suggest prostate issues. However, prostate problems often cause no symptoms at all, especially in the case of prostate cancer. Once dismissed as a rare condition affecting older men, low T (testosterone deficiency) is now understood as a far more widespread issue. Thanks to a mix of modern stress, environmental exposures, and plain old aging, more men are hitting their 40s and 50s feeling like shadows of themselves — and many don’t even know why.

The widespread decline in T levels also has implications for society as a whole, says Houman. A 2019 review of 27 studies reported TRT given at doses greater than 0.5 grams per week was more than twice as effective at reducing depression symptoms in men compared to a placebo (sham drug). Most cases of low testosterone are treatable, and being aware of the symptoms can help a person receive an early diagnosis and treatment. Most people will notice relief from symptoms within 3–60 weeks of starting TRT. However, anyone who experiences one or more of the above symptoms should seek medical attention.

However, data suggests that low testosterone impacts up to 40 percent of men over the age of 40. One of the most persistent myths around TRT is that it makes men overly aggressive or “unnatural.” The reality? Ultimately, the decision to treat or not treat is shared between you and your healthcare provider, weighing the benefits with the potential risks. Some studies have also shown a link between low T and relationship conflicts—not only with spouses or partners but with other family members. Males with severe ED coupled with high levels of anxiety or depression tend to be most affected. These tests are important because they can help establish if the cause of your condition is your testicles (primary testis failure includes elevated LH and FSH) or due to pituitary issues (LH and FSH are low).

Testosterone is essential for maintaining bone mineral density, which is how do doctors test testosterone levels much calcium and minerals are in your bones. Without the proper bone mineral density, your bones are more likely to break. Research finds that men with low testosterone are at greater risk for fractures and osteoporosis, a bone disease caused by low bone mineral density that can lead to weakened bones and fractures. Erectile dysfunction is a condition that makes it hard for you to get and keep an erection. Insufficient testosterone can make it difficult to maintain an erect penis.

Infants with severe congenital growth hormone deficiency might only have a slightly reduced birth length. This article examines the potential symptoms of growth hormone deficiency in adults and children. Unfortunately, within a few years, most prostate cancers become resistant to hormone therapy, at which point they are deemed “castration-resistant.” A cancer vaccine called Provenge (sipuleucel-T) uses a person’s own immune system cells to launch an attack against the prostate cancer cells.

Three Hone patients share a timeline of benefits and changes during the first year of TRT treatment. “Fortunately an increased boost in energy is one of the first things I hear from my guys I put on TRT,” says Calvert. “It’s ironic because low testosterone can lead to insomnia and insomnia can lead to low testosterone,” Staheli notes. “The process of getting an erection is complex both physiologically and psychologically, and many men notice decreased spontaneous erections (2) as the first sign of low testosterone,” says Calvert. According to the AUA, 7 in 10 people receiving treatment for low T are using TRT skin gels. TRT is also available as injections, skin patches, and pellets placed under the skin. It tells brain receptors to produce nitric oxide, which is a molecule that helps trigger a series of chemical reactions to produce an erection.

One of the most common signs of low testosterone is a noticeable drop in sexual desire. Men with low T often report fewer sexual fantasies, reduced interest in sex, and even fewer erotic dreams. Testosterone receptors in the brain, particularly in areas like the amygdala, play a crucial role in sexual arousal. When testosterone levels are insufficient, this process can be disrupted, leaving you less interested in intimacy. If you’ve noticed a significant decline in your sex drive, it could be a red flag for low T. Of these, fatigue, depression, irritability, reduced sex drive and erection problems are the most common. However, not everybody with the condition will have all of these symptoms and the severity of each will vary from person to person.