Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) Q&A

Once men hit puberty, they start to develop the sex hormone testosterone, which helps them develop male features including facial and body hair, muscle strength, and deeper voices. Testosterone is also the sex hormone necessary for men to create sperm.

When a male doesn’t have enough testosterone within his body, it is called hypogonadism, or low testosterone. Levels of the hormone will begin to decrease with age. Around 4 to 10 men over the age of 45 will suffer from low testosterone, and men with any health conditions including obesity, diabetes, and other issues will also tend to have low testosterone.
If you are noticing the following symptoms, you may also have low testosterone:

• Low iron
• Irritable
• Depressed
• Weaker or fewer erections
• Less energy
• Less strength and muscle mass
• Loss of calcium from your bones
• Low sex drive
• A higher percentage of body fat

If you believe you have low testosterone, it is best to contact a physician, as they will recommend certain tests to ensure your levels are appropriate or advise of other treatments and methods to help with low testosterone including testosterone replacement therapy.

Testosterone replacement therapy typically is used for males when they age and start to have symptoms of low testosterone, or due to hormone levels depleting. Testosterone replacement therapy provides many benefits to our patients including:
 
• Increasing sexual desire
• Lowered negative cholesterol levels
• Improved muscle mass and strength
• Improved overall mood
• Improved quality of sleep
• Able to handle stress better
• Increased cognitive ability and brain function
• Enhancement of blood sugar regulation and diminishing the risk of diabetes

Testosterone replacement therapy also has the potential to reduce your risk of diabetes and even improve your overall cardiovascular health.

Every clinic is going to have their say on what they believe is the best form of testosterone replacement therapy, it will eventually come down to the patient, what they want from the treatment, and what they think will be best for them.
There are two main options for testosterone replacement therapy; the most common is the injection. The injectable testosterone replacement therapy is given by injection into the muscle or under the skin. The symptoms you may endure after will waver between doses, as each will depend on the frequency the provider is recommending you have. Testosterone injections will be given by a deep intramuscular injection, and on average we ask it to be completed every 10 weeks.

The second main option for testosterone replacement therapy is through the gel, there are several gel options available, and with that, different ways to apply them. Depending on the brand the clinic has to offer, they may rub the testosterone into the skin in either your upper arm or shoulder or apply it to the front or inner thigh.
 
With the gel, your body will naturally absorb the testosterone through the skin, it is highly recommended you do not shower or bathe for a few hours after the gel application has been applied, so it has time to fully absorb. We highly recommend you avoid any skin-to-skin contact until the gel has fully dried, or cover the area after your application.

Unfortunately, with low testosterone, you will need to be indefinitely on a testosterone replacement therapy plan to ensure your symptoms do not return. If you do stop your testosterone replacement therapy, your symptoms can come back, and even become worse. For more information, contact us today or schedule an appointment online. Visit our clinic conveniently located at 202 Bombay Lane, Suite A, Roswell, GA 30076. We serve clients from Roswell, GA, Milton GA, Alpharetta GA, Dunwoody GA, East Cobb GA, Westfield GA, and surrounding areas.