Andropause, also known as male menopause, is a term used to describe the hormonal changes men go through as they age. Technically, the condition is called androgen deficiency, late-onset hypogonadism, or low testosterone (low T).
Whatever you call it, it comes with a long list of symptoms that make your life frustrating and embarrassing. It may even affect your physical, sexual, and mental health.
Fortunately, the fix is easy with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Our team of specialists at Balanced Medical Solutions in Hayward, California, help men throughout the Bay Area get their life back. Here’s what TRT can do for you.
Understanding testosterone
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone. It’s produced in your testicles, and although it’s often associated with virility, that’s not the only benefit. Testosterone is also responsible for:
- Muscle development and strength
- Fat distribution
- Bone mass and density
- Production of red blood cells
When you don’t have enough testosterone, it causes a ripple effect of symptoms throughout your body.
Why testosterone spirals downward after age 20
Starting in your 20s, you start producing less testosterone. The average 20-year-old man has up to 20.7 ng/mL of this male hormone coursing through his veins, but it’s all downhill from there. Every year, he makes less and less testosterone — about a 1%-2% decrease annually.
This triggers a chain reaction: Low T signals your hypothalamus gland to slow down its production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which tells your pituitary gland to generate less luteinizing hormone (LH), which in turn slows down your testosterone production even further — a vicious cycle.
What can TRT do for me?
If you’re suffering from low T, there’s good news — TRT can restore your hormonal balance and help you feel like yourself again. But before we start your treatment, it’s important to find out exactly what’s causing the imbalance.
If it’s age-related as we just explained, TRT is a great solution, but age isn’t the only culprit that causes low T. Several conditions, including obesity, alcohol abuse, injury, and illness, can mess with your levels. If we determine the underlying cause is anything other than aging, we help you find treament to the underlying condition first. In many cases, your testosterone will return to normal once the medical condition is resolved.
If you’re a good candidate for TRT, we can administer the replacement hormones via several different delivery methods: topical cream, injection, oral medication, or a small implan. Once it kicks in, TRT can improve your life in many ways.
TRT helps resolve the symptoms of andropause by:
- Increasing your sex drive
- Stopping spontaneous erections
- Preventing erectile dysfunction
- Helping you sleep better
- Slowing muscle and bone density loss
- Warding off depression and anxiety
- Slowing or reversing hair loss
- Improving concentration
TRT also addresses medical hypogonadism symptoms by:
- Increasing your sperm count
- Increasing your sperm volume
- Increasing prolactin, a hormone that’s dependent on your testosterone level
TRT has some nonmedical uses as well, including:
- Increased energy
- Better athletic endurance
- Building muscle mass
- Weight loss
- Boosted sexual drive
When your testosterone dwindles, your body and mind follow, so it’s important to know where you stand and to get help if your supply is waning. To find out how much testosterone you have and whether you need TRT, schedule an appointment at Balanced Medical Solutions to get tested.
