Understanding TRT & Its Benefits

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has completely changed how men approach aging after age 30. It offers many benefits that can drastically improve your quality of life, including a healthier body, increased libido, and more energy.

However, it is crucial to understand that TRT can also cause side effects. Fortunately, these are generally mild and usually go away over time.

Testosterone Levels

Testosterone levels naturally decline with age, leading to hypogonadism symptoms, including low sex drive, fatigue, and loss of muscle mass. If a blood test shows lower-than-normal levels, you can be eligible for treatment using supplemental testosterone gels, injections, or patches.

When testosterone is restored to healthy levels, it can improve your sex life by helping you get and keep an erection, increasing mental sharpness, and boosting your energy levels. Not only does it burn fat, but it also contributes to weight loss, boosts endurance and strength, and strengthens bones to prevent osteoporosis.

Hormone therapy has been shown to reduce depression and irritability. It also helps to protect against heart disease by reducing cholesterol, improving blood flow, and enhancing vascular health. It used to be thought that testosterone therapy could lead to a higher risk of prostate cancer, but more recent and rigorous research has proven this is not true. However, it would be best to talk to your doctor before starting this treatment.

Symptoms

Testosterone levels naturally decrease as people age, which can lead to various symptoms. TRT in St. Louis helps restore these levels, improving energy, mood, libido, and muscle mass. It can also increase bone density and cognitive functioning, according to 2022 research.

There are several ways to take testosterone, including pills, injections, and implants. Each method has different side effects and risks, depending on the dosage and type of product used. Injections and implants can lead to pain, swelling, and redness at the injection site. These methods can also raise cholesterol, which may increase a person’s risk of heart disease.

Many people choose to use a gel that is rubbed on the skin. However, this can cause skin irritation and is dangerous for women and children. Additionally, the gel can rub off on clothes or towels, which could expose others to it. It also requires careful application, as it is easy to accidentally rub off the same area twice daily or smear it on other body parts.

Side Effects

Testosterone boosts red blood cell levels, leading to a higher risk of heart-related issues like blood clots or heart attacks. These risks can be minimized by taking low doses and monitoring blood tests closely.

TRT has been shown to offer a wide range of benefits, including increased energy level, improved libido, and improved cognitive function. Research also suggests that TRT can maintain bone density, although further study is needed.

One drawback of TRT is that it can cause an increase in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, which is why many men who take TRT also have a urologist on their medical team to help with urination problems like BPH. However, recent studies don’t suggest that people on TRT have a greater risk of prostate cancer, and men who’ve had prostate cancer but recovered from it shouldn’t be prevented from using TRT. Lastly, people on TRT should always get a prescription from a doctor in a men’s clinic in the St. Louis area before trying out any testosterone supplements. It’s illegal in most countries to buy and use T without a proper prescription.

Long-Term Benefits

Over time, natural testosterone levels dip as a result of aging. If your doctor has determined you have low T, TRT can help restore these levels to the level of healthy men.

However, you must discuss your symptoms and health history with a physician before starting treatment. It is because TRT can be dangerous for people with specific comorbidities. Some of the most severe side effects include an increased risk of prostate cancer, lower urinary tract symptoms, polycythemia, and hepatotoxicity.

You should also avoid taking TRT if you have a blood-clotting disorder or are bleeding. Additionally, you should not take oral or injectable forms of TRT if you have hepatic impairment. These may cause first-pass hepatic metabolism, leading to hepatotoxicity, jaundice, and other liver disorders. However, topical gels that don’t require first-pass hepatic metabolism are safe for patients with hepatic impairment. They can also reduce cholesterol levels. These benefits are why many men with low T choose this form of treatment.