Hormone replacement therapy is not just important for women. Most people associate hormonal-related problems with women and menopause. However, men also experience hormone deficiencies.
Hormones are one of the most critical components of the body that looks after some vital bodily functions. An imbalance in hormones productions can cause severe health-related problems in both men and women.
The primary symptoms witnessed in men a due to the imbalance in hormones are hair loss and erectile dysfunction. Hormone Therapy For Men is the most trusted method of getting rid of hormone-related problems.
Why Should Men Consider Hormone Therapy?
Hormone therapy for men is advised and administered to treat various health problems. Some of these are:
1. Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is the condition where the adult man cannot maintain a firm reaction to carry out sex. This can cause stress and irritation. It can also lead to causing relationship problems with the partner.
In severe cases, erectile dysfunction is also indicative of a serious health condition that needs to be cured to protect the health. The most symptoms of erectile dysfunction include trouble getting an erection, trouble keeping or maintaining an erection, and reduced sexual desire.
Erectile dysfunction can be caused due to different factors, including hormone imbalance, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, Parkinson’s disease, hypertension, and more.
Hormone therapy is often suggested to cure erectile dysfunction. It is the most trusted and effective way to restore the natural amount of testosterone and other reproductive hormones.
The treatment can be administered in different ways, such as gels, pellets, injections, and topical creams. The physician will suggest the most suitable method based on the severity of the problem. It is also advisable to strictly follow the dose prescribed by the doctor.
2. Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer occurs in the prostate, which is a small gland in males. This gland produces the seminal fluid that is necessary to nourish and transport sperm. Prostate cancer is a condition when the cells in this gland start growing aggressively.
Most of these prostate cancers are adenocarcinoma. Some common symptoms that indicate the growth of prostate cancer are bone pain, blood in semen, trouble urinating, sudden weight loss, decreased urine force, erectile dysfunction, and more.
Hormone therapy is also suggested as a cure for prostate cancer. The prostate cancer cells mostly grow with male hormones’ help. This treatment helps to stop the transfer to production of the male hormone testosterone to the prostate cancer cells.
In this way, the treatment helps slow growth or even kill cancerous cells. This therapy involves medications or surgery to completely remove the testicles. Hormone therapy used to treat prostate cancer is also called androgen deprivation therapy.
3. Muscle Loss
When the reproductive glands fail to produce enough hormones, it can also lead to loss of muscle mass and muscle strength. Loss of muscle mass can pose major health issues as men age. It can affect the overall quality of their life. Reduced muscle mass is usually the result of andropause.
This stage in men’s lives is when the testes become smaller as they age. This leads to lesser production of testosterone. The testes lose their ability and strength to produce sperm.
Men start experiencing andropause around the age of 40. During the age of 40 to 70, they start noticing a sudden drop in their muscle mass.
Hormone therapy is a way of getting answers and solutions for this problem. Successful hormone therapy, regular exercise, and a healthy diet can help increase and build muscle mass.
4. Urinary Problems
Urinary dysfunction is another issue that men face due to hormone imbalance. This problem normally arises around middle age. Most men experience urinary dysfunction as a result of enlarged prostate.
This can result in involuntary leakage while performing normal activities like exercising, laughing, or coughing.
Some other problems like bladder inflammation, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis, bladder stones, bladder cancer, and even diabetes can also result in involuntary urine leakage.
Hormone therapy is the most prescribed option to cure urinary problems as a result of hormone imbalance. Urinary incontinence in men is treated by helping them achieve hormone balance through testosterone replacement therapy (HRT).
4 Types of Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy can be administered via different mediums. These mediums are prescribed by the physician based on the severity and medical records of the patient. Some of these methods are:
1. Testosterone Patches
Testosterone patches are applied directly to the sin. These patches contain testosterone (Androderm).
As prescribed by the physician, these patches are applied every night at the thigh or torso. It is important to leave them on the skin for at least 24 hours, after which they can be replaced with new ones.
One should apply the patch on the same spot every time. It is important to wait for at least seven days before re-applying the patch on the same spot.
2. Testosterone Gels
Testosterone gels ((AndroGel, Testim, Vogelxo) are also applied directly to the skin. Based on the prescription and the brand, these can be applied on the shoulders, upper arms, thighs, and abdomen.
The body absorbs testosterone through your skin via these gels. Therefore, avoiding showering for a few hours after the gel application is important. After the gel is applied, the applier should make sure to wash and clean their hands thoroughly.
3. Testosterone Injections
The patient is injected with testosterone cypionate (Depo-Testosterone) and testosterone enanthate directly in the muscle or under the skin. This form of testosterone therapy was first approved in 1979.
These injections are available in two strengths in the market: 100 mg and 200 mg. The dosage of these is heavily reliant on the prescription provided by the physician.
4. Implantable pellets
Implantable pellets are another form of administering hormone therapy. Testosterone pellets, such as Testopel, are very small in size and contain crystalline testosterone. These are surgically implanted under the skin of the patient.
These pellets slowly start releasing testosterone in the body in the course of three to six months.
Conclusion
Hormone therapy is definitely a safe alternative to bring testosterone levels to normality. The therapy aims to provide a small number of hormones to supplement and help the body naturally produce them thereafter.
