Many men use hormone replacement therapy to feel better about themselves and the work they do. It’s frustrating having a low libido, a lack of drive, and nothing seems to be good enough anymore – it can be debilitating.
Fortunately, this is something that can be a remedy.
Why Men Use Testosterone Therapy
As people age, our ability to produce hormones reduces, especially sex hormones, after about the age of 40. For men, this explicitly means there is less testosterone produced. And, because men do produce some estrogen, they can become estrogen dominant, leaving them without a desire for sex and subject to depression.
Male hormone replacement therapy is primarily testosterone. It’s responsible for secondary sexual characteristics, such as additional body hair and larger muscles.
You may also find more information by searching male hypogonadism, a specific medical condition where a man’s body produces very little testosterone. Testosterone HRT treats it.
Blood tests assigned by your doctor determine your level of natural testosterone, and they compare those results to normal levels. The doctor diagnoses you with low testosterone. Only then do the doctors recommend beginning hormone replacement therapy.
Healthy men that are producing adequate levels of testosterone should not take additional testosterone because it may result in sleeping problems, infertility, and increased risk of stroke and prostate disorders.
What’s Available for Testosterone Therapy?
And have several options for male HRT. These include:
- Patches
- Gels, Creams
- Injections
- Pellets
Most men use pellet therapy or have testosterone injections prescribed to them. It’s a fast, easy way to get hormone levels up to normal levels. But, let’s look at each of these methods:
Patches
Transdermal patches release a relatively steady flow of hormones. It passes through the skin and into the blood, raising levels quickly. Patches need to be replaced every 3 to 7 days as prescribed by your doctor.
They may produce irritation on your skin and may cause sun sensitivity. For men who work outside, this is a significant side effect. You will also experience a decrease in your hormones as the patch nears the end of its life cycle, leading to moodiness.
Gels & Creams
Testosterone gels need to be applied several times per day. They tend to be used more often by men with a minor level of testosterone deficiency. They work fairly well at delivering testosterone to the body when it is needed.
The biggest downside, and the reason why most men choose not to use gels, is the frequency of application can make it inconvenient. And if it gets on your partner, it can cause serious side effects, especially in women, like cancer (and no, it probably won’t increase her sex drive). You also need to be very careful around children, as it can cause an advanced onset of puberty or alterations in the puberty cycle.
Injections
The most common form of male HRT is injections of testosterone. It is most often covered by insurance, and you don’t have to worry about taking a daily pill. You have to visit the doctor every couple of days.
Injections have the most side effects, because of the cycle of testosterone is a high spike and a low drop. This increases mood swings and may alter your sex drive.
Pellets
A small, rice size pellet of testosterone gets injected under the skin, and it lasts three to six months. It’s the most carefree form of male HRT. It delivers a study supply of testosterone as the pellet dissolves, and each is custom compounded for you. You only have to get a new pellet every three to six months.
The biggest downside of pellets is the cost. Most insurances do not cover it. However, the number of doctor’s visits and co-pays required for injections is absent using pellet therapy, taking the surprise costs down to zero. When compared to other methods of testosterone application, pellets are equivalent in the out-of-pocket cost and significantly easier.
What Should You Choose?
Although most men use injections for their testosterone therapy, we highly recommend switching over to pellets. Cost-wise, as shown here, it is equivalent to out-of-pocket cost when factoring in time off from work, travel, and doctor co-pays.
Pellet therapy is much easier than any other application method, as the frequency of reapplication measures in months, not days. Pellet Therapy is the only hormone therapy that: maintains physiological levels, 24/7 in men.
Finally, pellets are consistent, meaning your drive and moods are consistent. Patches, gels, and injections have highs and lows for your level of testosterone, and you’ll get mood swings, suppressed sexual desires, and increased risk of depression and inactivity. It has a high risk of disrupting your relationship and your work.
Pellet therapies are consistent, adding a measured and even flow of testosterone release over months that limit the side effects. Search our provider directory and find a local provider to get in touch with to give you all the facts.