Testosterone is an essential hormone for everyone, both men and women alike. It plays an important role in a variety of physiological processes, including muscle and bone development, mood regulation, and sexual function.
Testosterone levels start to decline over time due to age, illness, or certain other factors. When your testosterone levels decline, you may develop health issues. At Orchidia Medical Group, we help our clients get the best treatments for increasing testosterone, including intervention methods like hormone replacement therapy.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone (Low T)
Low T can cause a variety of symptoms. The symptoms vary from person to person, but some of the most common include the following:
- Low Libidio: One of the first indicators of low testosterone levels is low libido and reduced sexual desire
- Erectile Dysfunction: Since testosterone is an important element in sexual function, low testosterone levels can hinder the ability to either achieve or maintain an erection
- Fatigue: Low testosterone levels are also associated with reduced energy levels, causing chronic fatigue
- Mood Disturbances: Since testosterone also plays a vital role in mood regulation, you may experience mood issues like depression and irritability as a result of inadequate levels of testosterone
- Reduced Muscle Mass: Testosterone helps your muscles develop, which is why low levels can lead to muscle loss
- Increased Body Fat: Often, individuals experiencing low testosterone simultaneously experience an increase in weight gain and accumulation of fat around the abdominal area
- Bone Loss: In more severe cases, low testosterone levels can reduce the density of your bones, increasing the risk of fractures or conditions like osteoporosis
- Sleep Issues: Low testosterone levels mess with your sleep and can cause insomnia or other sleep disorders
While each person’s body will react to low testosterone levels differently, none of these symptoms are enjoyable. Any of them can severely impact your quality of life, which is why treating low testosterone levels is imperative.
At-Home Testosterone Treatment
There are a few ways you can try managing low testosterone levels at home.
Lifestyle Changes
By adopting a healthier lifestyle, you may see improvements in your testosterone levels. Regular exercise, particularly resistance training, can help boost testosterone levels. If you maintain a healthy weight and try to get a sufficient amount of sleep every night, you can also see improvements.
However, these lifestyle changes can be difficult to adopt once you are already in a hormonal imbalance, as low testosterone affects your energy and sleep.
Nutritional Supplements
Some nutritional supplements show promise when it comes to increasing testosterone levels. One beneficial nutrient is vitamin D, which you can get through supplements or exposure to the sun.
Zinc is an essential mineral for testosterone production. You can consume zinc-rich foods like meat and fish or take a supplement. D-aspartic acid is an amino acid that some studies have indicated can increase testosterone production.
The problem with at-home remedies is that it is difficult to monitor whether your hormonal levels are improving. The other problem is these at-home remedies can take time to show improvement and may not ever offer any improvement.
Finally, since at-home remedies are not actually supplying additional testosterone, there is no way for you to guarantee consistent levels of T through at-home remedies. This is why many individuals who have clinically low levels of testosterone prefer to try hormone replacement therapy.
What Is Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
Testosterone replacement therapy is an effective treatment option that involves administering synthetic testosterone into the body to help restore its levels to a normal range. There are many modalities for testosterone replacement therapy, including injections, gels, pellets, and patches.
Injections
With injectable testosterone treatment, the injections are administered directly into the muscle and scheduled for every two to four weeks. These injections help provide consistent doses of testosterone in order to improve low T symptoms.
Patches
Another form of TRT treatment is patches, which are applied to your skin on a daily basis to allow for the steady absorption of TRT.
Gels
Using gels for TRT treatment is another daily method, as the gels are applied to the skin every day in order to gradually absorb into the body. This treatment method is convenient if you want a TRT method that is less invasive than injections, but you have to be careful that the gels do not transfer to other surfaces if not fully absorbed.
Pellets
Testosterone pellets are implanted under the skin, usually in the buttocks or hip region. TRT pellets release testosterone gradually over the course of several months. This method provides consistent testosterone levels with minimal maintenance but is one of the more invasive methods as it requires minor surgery to implant the pellets.
Benefits of TRT Treatment
Steady, consistent TRT treatment can offer numerous benefits, including improved sexual function, enhanced energy levels, increased muscle mass and strength, and better cardiovascular health. One major way TRT helps improve your body’s health and function is by supporting your sleep hygiene.
Sleep is a critical function for your mental and physical health. Without adequate sleep, your body tends to exist in a state of stress, making fat loss more difficult, causing your cognitive function to decline, and worsening your mood.
TRT Treatment in Naples, FL
For testosterone replacement therapy in Naples, FL, contact us at Orchidia Medical Group. We will meet with you for a consultation to discuss your current health, medical history, and concerns regarding potential low testosterone. We help our clients find effective solutions to help improve their health and quality of life. Contact us today to learn more.
