Male hypogonadism Diagnosis & treatment

Visual Guide to Low Testosterone

Early detection in boys can help prevent problems from delayed puberty. Early diagnosis and treatment in men offer better protection against osteoporosis and other related conditions. When your testosterone level is low, you may not be able to get or keep an erection. Testosterone fuels the male sex drive, so when does testosterone peak for women you’re running low, you may lose interest in sex.

That’s unnecessary, and so much chemical modification increases the risk of enlarged prostate or increases the risk of prostate cancer. Even safe and moderate testosterone therapy bears a slightly increased risk. Low testosterone (male hypogonadism) is a condition in which your testicles don’t produce enough testosterone. It has several possible causes, including conditions or injuries affecting your testicles, pituitary gland or hypothalamus. If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms and think they could be due to low testosterone levels, it’s time to talk with a doctor.

TRT is also available as injections, skin patches, and pellets placed under the skin. Most people will notice relief from symptoms within 3–60 weeks of starting TRT. People with low testosterone may find it difficult to fall or stay asleep. Semen is the fluid that makes up the majority of male ejaculate. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth.

It is possible to have low levels and not experience symptoms. But if you do not have any key symptoms, especially fatigue and sexual dysfunction, which are the most common, it is not recommended you go on the therapy given the uncertainty about long-term safety. Testosterone replacement therapy may cause the prostate to grow. If a man has early prostate cancer, a concern is that testosterone may stimulate cancer growth. Therefore, it is important for all men considering testosterone replacement therapy to undergo prostate screening before starting treatment. Men who are found to have prostate cancer should not undergo testosterone replacement therapy.

Sometimes multiple medications to increase endogenous testosterone production are used in combination. Of course, any time you combine medications you have higher costs, as well as increased potential for side effects. HCG has a mechanism of action similar to that of luteinizing hormone (LH). Like LH, HCG directly stimulates the Leydig cells of the testicles to make more testosterone. HCG is also more expensive and needs to be given by injection but has an advantage in men whose pituitary glands are not responding adequately to SERMs. The use of HCG is reviewed in detail in the “HCG” section of this website. Pellets and long-lasting injections may provide more stable testosterone levels over the long term, Dr. Rogers says, and can be more convenient than daily self-treatments.

For example, trouble with erections can be a sign of diabetes or heart disease. Low sex drive could be linked to depression or be a side effect of medication. For these reasons, it’s a good idea to call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms so you can have a thorough medical exam. In males, production of this hormone starts to fall after age 30 and continues to decline (about 1% per year) throughout their life.

As a man ages, the amount of testosterone produced in his body gradually drops. This natural decline starts after age 30 and continues at a rate of about 1% per year throughout his life. Innovative, expert urology care at the Desai Sethi Urology Institute. Our team of urology experts delivers advanced care for all urologic conditions.

The risks and benefits of taking testosterone for many years are not known, because large studies haven’t been completed, yet. Some researchers suggest there might be a higher risk of heart disease. A drop in testosterone doesn’t always interfere with sex, but it can make it more difficult for your brain and body to get aroused. Some men may notice a drop in libido, while others may lose interest in sex completely. Low testosterone can also make it tougher to get or keep an erection.