As men age they tend to produce less testosterone. While testosterone replacement therapy may appear to have significant benefits, there are some misconceptions about what this treatment can achieve. Most importantly, it is not an anti-aging formula. Following is a brief overview of this therapy.
Testosterone is a hormone that is produced in men’s testicles that affects the following aspects of their bodies:
• Bone density
• Amount of fat present in the body and its distribution
• Strength of muscles and their size
• Amount of facial and body hair
• Production of red blood cells
• Desire for sex
• Sperm production
Testosterone production in men’s bodies typically peaks during adolescence and then gradually declines; usually at the rate of about 1% per year once a man is in his thirties or forties. In some older men a lack of testosterone production, due to problems with the pituitary gland or testicles, causes a disease called hypogonadism which requires replacement of testosterone through injections, patches or gels.
While the loss of testosterone is a result of the aging process, replacing testosterone through other means does not necessarily halt the aging process. Some people believe that taking testosterone improves their vitality or energy levels but there is no medical evidence to support this. There is evidence that testosterone can help with a man’s sexual function but other benefits, such as helping with aging, are not proven.
There are some risks associated with taking testosterone in a bid to prevent the normal aging process as follows:
• Negative impacts on sleep apnea – this is a sleep disorder in which a person repeatedly stops and restarts breathing while asleep.
• Causes acne and other skin problems
• Stimulates growth of the prostate in healthy men and causes growth of cancerous cells in men suffering from prostate cancer.
• Breasts can become enlarged.
• Can prevent sperm production and cause a man’s testicles to shrink.
• Stimulates the production of too many red blood cells in the body which can cause blood clots to form; when a blood clot travels through the blood stream it can block blood flow causing potentially serious health impacts (such as a pulmonary embolism).
Anyone considering testosterone replacement therapy should consult their doctor about the potential risks and benefits to their health. A doctor will measure testosterone levels at least twice for a patient to determine whether they need replacement therapy.
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