5 Reasons Men Are Getting on Hormone Therapy
Testosterone is a hormone that plays a key role in male health. It is tied to heart health, mental health, and even mortality. While hormone therapy was previously associated with women’s health, it has quickly become a popular option for men who want to balance their testosterone levels. If you are wondering why hormone therapy, this article discusses how it aids men’s health.
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What Is Hormone Therapy?
Hormone therapy or HRT is the process of increasing a particular hormone, typically testosterone, in men. The male system produces testosterone, which is responsible for sexual health, temperament, body mass, and facial hair. However, when men hit the age of 30, the body begins to reduce the level of testosterone by 1% each year. Thus, as men grow older, testosterone deficiency may kick in. Research shows that about 40% of American men experience significantly decreased testosterone by age 45.
Hormone therapy helps to supplement the body with testosterone. This ensures good health and balanced bodily functions. Nevertheless, there are other reasons one may need hormone therapy. For instance, men who have injuries that affect their testes usually cannot produce the testosterone their bodies need. This condition is known as hypogonadism. Hormone therapy can help them escape experiencing severe symptoms.
HRT can come in different forms. Some of the most popular are:
- Patches: applied on the skin.
- Gels: rubbed on the upper arms and shoulders.
- Pellets: under-skin implants typically inserted at the hips.
- Buccal: attached to the upper gum.
- Tablets: oral administration.
- Shots
Read: Benefits of Testosterone Therapy for Men
5 Reasons Men Are Getting on Hormone Therapy
If you’re curious about the reason why men are getting on hormone therapy, we’ve discussed five of those in this section.
Improved Libido
Low testosterone and androgen deficiency often result in poor libido, affecting sexual drive and sexual performance. Testosterone also affects semen volume. Hormone therapy can increase testosterone, which can, in turn, increase libido. Testosterone also aids in achieving and holding an erection. Studies have shown how hormone therapy increases men’s libido, sexual acts, and even sleep-related erections.
However, it is important to mention that there are different reasons why erectile dysfunction may occur. For example, high blood pressure, diabetes, alcohol use, and stress can all cause erectile dysfunction. Thus, a poor libido is not enough reason to get hormone therapy. Besides, there’s a maximum level of testosterone that can trigger an increased sexual response. Therefore, unless you suffer from hypogonadism, hormone therapy may produce little to no improvement to your libido.
