• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Desiderio Avila Jr., MD
  • search
  • Haz Click Para En Español
  • Call Today (480) 961-2323
  • Request an Appointment
  • Home
  • Meet Dr. Avila
  • Services & Specialties
    • Vasectomy
    • Vasectomy Reversal
    • Male Infertility
    • Low Testosterone
    • Erectile Dysfunction
    • Inflatable Penile Prosthesis
    • Peyronie’s Disease
    • Prostate Health
  • Contact & Locations

Is Testosterone Replacement Therapy Right For Me?

January 22, 2021

TESTOSTERONE

Testosterone is a sex hormone that is important for normal male sexual development and function. Approximately 40% of men age 45 and older are thought to be affected by low testosterone levels, which can cause a number of symptoms such as fatigue, sexual dysfunction, and mood changes. Testosterone replacement therapy can help to increase testosterone levels in order to improve the negative symptoms associated with the condition.

Testosterone is produced primarily in the testicles. Levels of testosterone typically peak during adolescence and early adulthood and then gradually decline with age. This hormone is important for a number of things including regulating sex drive, building and maintaining bone and muscle mass, fat distribution, sperm production, the growth of facial and body hair, and the production of red blood cells.

Some men can experience low testosterone levels which can be caused by a number of different factors. It is also more common in men who have type 2 diabetes or are overweight. Other factors contributing to low testosterone include stress, testicular injuries, testicular cancer, hormone disorders, metabolic disorders, chronic liver or kidney disease, HIV and AIDS, and certain medications. Low testosterone can also simply be due to the decline of normal aging or hypogonadism – a condition where the testes produce little to no testosterone.

Low testosterone levels can have a negative impact on overall well-being and cause many symptoms including decreased sex drive, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, mood changes, reduced lean muscle mass and bone density, and infertility. Symptoms can vary and may be caused by other factors not directly linked to low testosterone. Talk to your doctor if you experience any symptoms linked to low testosterone, who will be able to investigate and identify the cause. A blood test can be used to diagnose low testosterone levels.

Testosterone replacement therapy can be used to alleviate symptoms by helping testosterone levels return to normal. Not everyone is a candidate for treatment, and it may not be recommended for men who do not have any key symptoms (such as sexual dysfunction or fatigue). Also, if you do not have a medical condition contributing to low testosterone, your doctor may recommend certain lifestyle changes such as dietary changes, stopping smoking, losing weight, and cardiovascular and resistance-based exercises in order to try to boost testosterone levels naturally.

Types of Treatment

Testosterone replacement therapy is available in a variety of forms including patches, gel, oral therapy, pellets, and injections, and the best delivery method will depend on factors such as convenience, cost, and personal preference. Your doctor will help you decide which method is best suited to your needs.

·      Patches – a patch containing testosterone is applied each night to the torso or thigh area.

·      Gel – Testosterone gel is pumped into the nostrils and is usually applied twice in each nostril, three times daily. This type of testosterone treatment can reduce the risk of medication being transferred to another person such as through skin contact.

·      Oral therapy – A putty-like substance is applied to the buccal cavity (the area above your top teeth where your gum meets your upper lip), to allow testosterone to be absorbed into your bloodstream. It is usually applied three times a day.

·      Pellets – This type of treatment involves surgically implanting testosterone pellets under the skin every three to six months.

·      Injections – Testosterone is delivered via an injection into muscle or under the skin.

Side Effects of Treatment

Testosterone replacement therapy can have some risks, and treatment should be overseen by your doctor to closely monitor the effectiveness and to observe for any side effects. Patches can sometimes cause severe skin reactions, and oral therapy can lead to gum irritation. Side effects from testosterone injections can vary depending on the type and frequency of injections. Risks of treatment can include:

·      Sleep problems and worsening sleep apnea

·      Acne or other skin and gum reactions

·      Prostate enlargement

·      Enlarged breasts

·      Causing testicles to shrink or limiting sperm production

·      Increased production of red blood cells, which contributes to the increased risk of forming a blood clot

Discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor. Usually, testosterone levels are measured at least twice before testosterone therapy is recommended. Generally, most men feel improvement in symptoms within four to six weeks of taking testosterone replacement therapy but an increase in muscle mass may take longer.

Treatment for Low Testosterone in Phoenix, AZ

If you are concerned about low testosterone or would like to find out if you are a candidate for testosterone replacement therapy, speak to the experts at Ironwood Urology. We specialize in men’s reproductive and sexual health and our fellowship-trained urologist, Dr. Avila, can determine what is causing your low testosterone and help regulate the level of testosterone in your body. To find out more about our services, call us at (480) 961-2323 or you can request an appointment online.

Filed Under: Low T Tagged With: infertility treatment near me, low sex drive, Low Testosterone, men's health doctor in Phoenix AZ, men's health doctor near me, sexual dysfunction, testicular cancer, Testosterone replacement therapy, type 2 diabetes

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Bladder Cancer (3)
  • BPH (3)
  • Erectile Dysfunction (34)
  • General (29)
  • Gout (1)
  • Infertility (9)
  • Inflatable Penile Prosthesis (2)
  • kidney stones (7)
  • Low T (27)
  • Male Birth Control (10)
  • Male fertility (6)
  • Male Infertility (16)
  • Men's Health (28)
  • Peyronie's Disease (21)
  • Prostate (16)
  • Prostate Cancer (48)
  • PSA Levels (3)
  • Sperm Motility (2)
  • Testicular Cancer (2)
  • Undescended Testicles (1)
  • Urinary Incontinence (3)
  • Urological Surgeon (8)
  • Urologist (49)
  • Urology (34)
  • Urology Procedures (1)
  • UTI (6)
  • Vasectomy Procedure (38)
  • Vasectomy Reversal (30)
  • Viagra (3)
January 2021
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
« Dec   Feb »

Tags

best urologist in Phoenix AZ Best Urologist near me Dr. Avila Dr. Desi Avila ED ED treatment near me enlarged prostate treatment near me Erectile Dysfunction erectile dysfunction treatment in Phoenix AZ erectile dysfunction treatment near me Infertility Ironwood Urology Kidney Stones Low-T Low Testosterone Low Testosterone Treatment near me male infertility men's health men's health doctor near me Peyronie's Disease Peyronie's Disease treatment near me Prostate Prostate Cancer prostate cancer treatment Prostate cancer treatment near me prostate cancer treatment Phoenix AZ prostate health testosterone Urological Surgeon near me urological surgeon Phoenix AZ Urologist Urologist in Phoenix Urologist in Phoenix AZ Urologist near Me urologist Phoenix Urologist Phoenix AZ urology urology care Phoenix AZ urology clinic Urology Clinic Near Me urology clinic Phoenix AZ Vasectomy vasectomy near me Vasectomy Reversal Vasectomy reversal near me

Footer

  • Patient Education

    Want to know more about a specific urology condition or treatment? Browse our online library of patient education materials.

    LEARN MORE

  • Home
  • Meet Dr. Avila
  • Contact & Locations
  • Services & Specialties
  • Vasectomy
  • Vasectomy Reversal
  • Male Infertility
  • Low Testosterone
  • Erectile Dysfunction
  • Inflatable Penile Prosthesis
  • Peyronie’s Disease
  • Prostate Health
  • Request an Appointment
  • En Español
  • Accessibility Statement
  • HIPAA Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap

Copyright © 2023 Ironwood Urology. All Rights Reserved

iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

Dr. Avila focuses on all aspects of men's health, including vasectomy, vasectomy reversal, male infertility, low testosterone, erectile dysfunction, penile prosthetic surgery, Peyronie’s disease, prostate health, and robotic urological surgery.