Men can’t help but see the barrage of low testosterone commercials strategically placed during professional football games or even the evening news. Perhaps that explains why we see a marked increase in the number of men presenting with low testosterone.
Men start to experience a gradual decline in testosterone after age 30. Low Testosterone affects 1 in 3 men over the age of 45. That is roughly 13 million men in the United States. Medically known as “hypogonadism,” low testosterone occurs when a man doesn’t produce enough of the hormone testosterone. Low testosterone symptoms include:
- Low sexual desire
- Weaker and fewer erections
- Loss of muscle mass
- Increased body fat
- Decreased height
- Lack of energy
- Fatigue
- Depressed mood
- Poor concentration
These symptoms not only affect a man’s sense of well-being, but they can also negatively impact his health. Low testosterone is under-diagnosed because its symptoms are often mistaken for depression or “just getting older.” A simple blood test can determine a patient’s testosterone level. Low testosterone is associated with some common medical conditions such as:
- chronic opiod use (74%)
- obesity (52%), diabetes (50%)
- AIDS (50%)/HIV (30%),
- hypertension (42%),
- hyperlipidemia (40%)
- erectile dysfunction (19%)
Treatment options include topical gels or creams, injections, implants and, in special situations, aromatase inhibitors and anti-estrogens. At Urology Austin, we offer the full gamut of long term testosterone replacement options taking into account the patients’ lifestyle and personal concerns as well as their medical needs.
Testosterone replacement may be contraindicated in patients with prostate cancer or in significant benign prostatic hyperplasia. Potential side effects of testosterone replacement therapy include erythrocytosis, acne or oily skin, infertility, and certain skin reactions. Low testosterone is treatable, and a variety of treatment modalities are available. Contact us for more information about Low Testosterone.
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