If you are feeling sluggish or have libido failing, you may have low-T or lowered testosterone levels. According to reports, about 14 million Americans are suffering from low-T. If you and your urologist determine your testosterone needs a boost, many of today’s treatment options help you feel like yourself again.
Here’s more on lifestyle and medical interventions that really work.
The Symptoms of Low-T
Also called hypogonadism, low testosterone levels in men cause a variety of troublesome symptoms. Related to aging, health disorders, such as diabetes, obesity, HIV infection, and more, symptoms of low-T include the following:
- Poor sex drive
- Infertility (low sperm count)
- Fatigue
- Reduced muscle mass
- Irritability and depressed mood
- Loss of body hair
How Your Men’s Health Specialist Can Help
Many men do not realize the symptoms they experience stem from their male hormone levels. These symptoms, along with the results of a blood test, can confirm the diagnosis and help the men’s health specialist develop a care plan to raise hormone levels and reduce the mental, emotional, and physical health effects.
Also, in conjunction with your primary care physician, your urologist will look at diseases, conditions, and lifestyle factors influencing your testosterone levels. Of course, with age, men do experience andropause, a natural decline in testosterone somewhat similar to menopause in women. However, your men’s health specialist can help you determine if how you live, including your exercise and eating habits, may influence your hormone levels.
Lifestyle Changes You Should Make
There are many ways to deal with low-T. Improving your baseline health is the most important way. Your urologist may advise you to do some combination of the following:
- Lose weight to bring your BMI, or body mass index, within normal range
- Consume a diet low in sugars, unhealthy fats, and processed foods
- Get at least eight hours of quality sleep each night (inadequate sleep lowers testosterone in men and increases it in women)
- Reduce stress with meditation, music, prayer, and hobbies
- Dietary supplementation with Vitamin D, magnesium, and others as recommended by your urologist
- Minimize your consumption of alcohol and avoid all illicit drug usage
- Increase your sexual activity
Medical Interventions Which Increase Testosterone Levels
Your men’s health specialist can recommend medical treatments best suited to your health needs and therapeutic goals. Testosterone supplementation comes in many forms, such as:
- Nasal sprays and buccal tablets (attached to the cheeks or gums)
- Topical gels and transdermal patches
- Gradual-release testosterone pellets inserted under the skin of the buttocks (TESTOPEL)
- At-home testosterone injection therapy
Your urologist will work with you to monitor your symptoms, changes in lifestyle habits, and medications.
Low-T Treatments in Phoenix, AZ
If you’d like to improve your energy level, libido, and more, you should explore low-T assessment and treatments with men’s health specialist Dr. Desiderio Avila Jr. at Ironwood Urology. Dr. Avila is fellowship-trained in urology and men’s reproductive health. He has helped many men sort through their symptoms and devise ways to improve how they feel and function sexually.
To know more about our services or to arrange your confidential consultation, call us today at (480) 961-2323 or use our convenient online appointment request form. We have two offices located in Phoenix and Gilbert, AZ.
