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.
In addition to improving sexual functions, higher testosterone can also improve bladder capacity and overall improve urinary function.
Reduced Body Fat and Increased Body Mass
HRT can help to reduce body fat. This is because low testosterone levels can cause leaner muscles and decrease and redistribute fat mass. Consequently, there’s reduced body function and increased morbidity.
According to Prolong Labs, with hormone therapy, you can gain control of your weight and physical energy. Increasing your testosterone level can help you to reverse some of the mass changes that come with aging. It also helps to increase muscle strength, and you may even notice increased endurance while exercising.
Read: Diseases that Effects Men Health
Improved Temperament
There’s a proven link between low testosterone levels and mood swings in men. Men with low testosterone levels, especially resulting from accidents or injuries, may slide into depression and suffer intense bouts of sadness. However, after receiving hormone therapy for some time, men often report improved and balanced moods.
Perhaps, the link between improved moods and testosterone increase is non-linear. Trials conducted to administer testosterone on men with normal hormone levels did not improve their moods. This has birthed the theory that the symptoms of low testosterone are responsible for increased irritability and depression. Thus, since an increased testosterone level will generally improve the symptoms of a hypogonadal male, they may begin to enjoy improved temperaments.
Better Health and Improved Mental Agility
People with low testosterone often have difficulty concentrating, poor memory retention, and slow quantitative reasoning. There’s an observed decrease in spatial abilities in men undergoing androgen suppressing treatments. Increased testosterone can help to correct this.
There is evidence that a balanced testosterone level also impacts comprehension and data processing speed. Besides, men with high testosterone are at a lesser risk of having Alzheimer’s.
Stronger Bones
Testosterone is responsible for mineral bone density which is responsible for mobile functions. Therefore, weak bones are a real risk for men with low testosterone. In fact, the prevalence of osteoporosis is double in hypogonadal men compared to people with normal testosterone levels. The hip, lumbar spine, and neck greatly rely on this. So, if a man has testosterone deficiency, it can greatly affect his mobility and flexibility. HRT can also help to strengthen bones and increase athletic tendencies. However, there’s no real evidence that increased testosterone can prevent the risk of fractures.
Should You Get Hormone Therapy?
Despite the benefits of hormone therapy listed above, one should not abuse this treatment. Besides, the conditions and symptoms above are not independent. Other health issues can bring them on. So if you are considering HRT, it is important to take tests to confirm that low testosterone is the actual cause of the symptoms you are experiencing.
Also, there may be some risks associated with this therapy so, you need to factor in your health. For example, people with heart diseases, prostate cancer, or low sperm count should avoid Hormone Replacement Therapy.
Another important consideration is your finances. Thankfully, when it comes to hormone therapy, there are many options. You can work with your health provider to choose the best plan for you.
Conclusion
Hormone therapy is highly beneficial to male health, so it is little wonder that it has become a popular therapy for men with testosterone-related symptoms. However, there are several factors you should consider if you are planning on hormone therapy. The best way to make a sound judgment is having a one-on-one session with your health provider.