Testosterone levels decline as humans get older. A physiological decline is completely normal, but sometimes the concentration reaches too low values, causing negative symptoms that interfere with everyday life, such as lower libido, fatigue and depression. If you are concerned about suffering from this disorder, you can follow hormone replacement therapy, but you must be aware that there is no conclusive scientific evidence that this "supplement" is useful for men with normal physiological reduction. Furthermore, current research seems to show that taking replacement testosterone actually leads to health problems, especially cardiovascular ones; you must therefore discuss every detail with your doctor first.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Hormone Replacement Therapy
Step 1. Try oral testosterone
It is available in the form of melt-in-the-mouth candies that are taken twice a day, in the morning and in the evening; this is an effective method of maintaining a regular dosage.
However, oral testosterone tastes bitter and can irritate the mouth
Step 2. Use the transdermal testosterone gel
It is the most common solution, the hormone is spread on the body and enters the body with a dosage similar to that naturally produced by the human glands; the gel is applied to the shoulders, arms, chest or abdomen. Remember to wash your hands after handling the medicine. You need to take it once a day, usually in the morning around 8am.
- This formulation can be quite expensive.
- Make sure your skin has completely dried before coming into contact with women (especially pregnant women) or children; there is in fact the risk of transferring testosterone when the gel is still wet.
Step 3. Evaluate the transdermal patches
Again, testosterone is absorbed by the skin at a similar dosage to that naturally produced by the body. Some patches can be applied to the scrotum, although most must be placed on the arms or back; you have to use a new one every day, taking care to always change it at the same time (usually in the morning around 8:00).
- When you remove the patch, throw it away immediately to make sure no one else is exposed to the hormone.
- This type of therapy is quite expensive.
Step 4. Before starting HRT, discuss with your doctor
This is a treatment that must be monitored by the doctor; Regardless of the method of administration you have chosen to use, you need to be checked regularly to make sure your body is absorbing enough testosterone for it to be effective.
- Before starting, the doctor performs a digital rectal examination and prescribes blood tests to measure the concentration of semenogelase (PSA); If these tests are abnormal (suggesting prostatic hypertrophy), you should not proceed with HRT until further tests are completed.
- After three months of testosterone treatment, it is necessary to repeat the tests; if your doctor is concerned that your prostate is enlarged or there are lumps, you need to stop taking the hormone.
- The American Association of Endocrinologists recommends hormone replacement therapy when the testosterone concentration is below 300 ng / dL and the patient shows symptoms of hypotestosteronemia.
- The hormone is also available in pill form, but it is not very useful because the liver metabolizes it too quickly; there are tablets modified to prevent this from happening, but they have been found to cause liver damage.
Part 2 of 3: Performing Intramuscular Injections at Home
Step 1. Do not take testosterone, unless prescribed by your doctor
The hormone should only be taken if the doctor deems it appropriate; however, there is a large black market that abusers rely on, with serious health risks, as there is no way to verify that the illegal product is safe, of good quality, sterile and pure.
Step 2. Choose the IM injection format
The dose ranges from 200 to 400 mg to be taken every two, three or four weeks and usually the injection site is the thigh; in this way, the hormone penetrates and spreads in the body. The injection should be done in the doctor's office, but you can also learn how to do it yourself, depending on the doctor's decision. This solution is typically the least expensive, even if you have to get a shot every few weeks.
This method does not guarantee a release of testosterone similar to the natural one. There are occasions, such as immediately after the injection, when the body is subjected to very high hormone concentrations and times when the levels are very low; this is sometimes referred to as the "roller coaster effect"
Step 3. Gather the materials
Find a neat and comfortable place to arrange everything you need; remove the hormone vial from the refrigerator and wait for it to reach room temperature.
- Check the dosage you need to administer.
- Wash your hands before starting.
Step 4. Draw in the prescribed dose of testosterone
Insert the needle into the rubber limb that closes the vial, making sure it is perfectly perpendicular. Push the plunger of the syringe down to transfer the air into the bottle; turn the needle upside down without removing the needle, making sure the liquid covers the tip. From this position, gently pull the plunger to fill the syringe with the dose of product indicated by your doctor.
- Do not insert the needle into the rubber membrane more than once.
- Without removing the needle from the vial, check that there are no air bubbles in the syringe; if there are any, gently tap the barrel of the syringe with your fingers until the bubbles rise to the surface. Gently push the plunger to release the air while keeping the needle in the bottle.
Step 5. Clean the area
Remove the syringe from the vial and be careful that the needle does not come into contact with any surface; use an alcohol wipe to clean the skin through which you inject the drug.
Usually the needle is inserted in the outer middle third of the thigh, but follow the directions given to you by the doctor
Step 6. Take the puncture
Form a "V" with the middle and index fingers, place the base of the palm near the hip and gently stretch the skin of the outer middle third of the thigh; the injection site is between the knuckles of the fingers delimiting the "V". Insert the needle into the skin with a quick and firm motion; if there is no blood leaking, push the plunger slowly, gently and steadily to transfer the hormone into the body.
Pull the plunger lightly to make sure there is no blood; otherwise, do not proceed with the injection
Step 7. Clean the materials
Remove the needle and disinfect the skin once more. Throw away the needle in an appropriate container for pungent and sharp biohazard material.
If necessary, apply some pressure to the skin to stop the bleeding
Part 3 of 3: Learn about Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Step 1. Know the importance of this hormone
It is responsible for the development of male sexual characteristics and functions, including deep voice, facial hair, increased bone and muscle density; it is directly related to erection, penis and testicles size and arousal. Testosterone also plays a role in the production of red blood cells and sperm.
A normal concentration of this hormone helps prevent hypertension and heart attack
Step 2. Understand why the levels drop
It is an age-related physiological process; however, hypotestosteronemia is linked to a number of health problems, including an increased risk of death. The concentration varies from person to person, so it is not easy to understand if the levels found in an individual are low or normal for his age.
- Gradual age-related decline as it progresses is quite normal, as is having fewer erections.
- However, it is not normal to be unable to get or maintain an erection and it is not physiological to lose interest in sex. Such a situation could be a symptom of many other more common diseases, such as diabetes and depression.
Step 3. Recognize the symptoms of hypotestosteronemia
Although a drop is completely normal, if the levels are too low, many health problems can be triggered. Here are some symptoms:
- Difficulty in sexual functions, such as erectile dysfunction, lower libido, reduced number and quality of erections;
- Smaller testicles
- Emotional problems, such as depression, irritability, anxiety, memory or concentration difficulties
- Sleep disorders;
- Increased fatigue or generalized lack of energy;
- Alterations of the body, such as increased abdominal fat, loss of muscle mass, strength and endurance, lower cholesterol concentrations, osteopenia (poorly mineralized bones) and osteoporosis (poorly dense bones);
- Swollen or painful breasts
- Loss of body hair
- Hot flashes
- Women also produce testosterone, its lack generates a reduction in sexual desire and functions, muscle weakness, less vaginal lubrication and infertility.
Step 4. Diagnose hypotestosteronemia
To reach this conclusion, the doctor must perform a physical examination and take a blood sample to measure the concentration of the hormone. Based on the results of the visit, history, and other factors, the doctor may request additional tests, such as those for thyroid, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
If you complain of any of the symptoms described above, call your doctor to make an appointment
Step 5. Know the side effects of hormone replacement therapy
If you decide to follow it, you should be aware of the potential risks and ailments; as some can be serious, your doctor may ask you for frequent and regular checkups. This means returning to the clinic every 3-6 months; you should also monitor any changes in your body and notify your doctor promptly. Here is a short list of adverse effects:
- Increased risk of heart attack and heart disease;
- Increased risk of blood clots and strokes;
- Increased risk of prostate cancer;
- Sleep apnea;
- Polycythemia, an increase in the volume of red blood cells that makes the blood thicker, increasing the risk of blood clots;
- Breast augmentation;
- Acne and oily skin;
- Alopecia;
- Reduction in the diameter of the testicles;
- Alteration of cholesterol and lipid profile.
Step 6. Know when not to take testosterone
HRT is not suitable for all men; there are circumstances in which it should be avoided, for example in the presence of sleep apnea, a high number of red blood cells, congestive heart failure, prostatic diseases (benign prostatic hypertrophy, prostate cancer), breast cancer.
