The Benefits of Bioidentical Hormones for Men’s Health

When it comes to hormones, men don’t get enough attention. They also suffer from the side effects of low hormones and all too frequently don’t get the help they deserve.

Testosterone is key for men’s health. As men age, testosterone levels drop very gradually, about 1% to 2% each year. This is because the testes produce less testosterone, and also a protein called sex hormone binding globulin increases with age and this mops up free testosterone. In fact low testosterone is really common with more than a third of men over age 45 having reduced levels of testosterone. A blood test can determine low testosterone and can help elucidate the cause (whether it is due to normal aging or if it’s due to a disease).

Symptoms of testosterone deficiency in men include:

Loss of muscle mass

Low libido and impotence or fewer erections, small testicles, reduced sperm count and infertility

Increased breast size

Irritability, poor concentration and depression

Fatigue

Loss of body hair

Brittle bones and an increased risk of fracture

Hot flushes

Testosterone replacement therapy restores depleted testosterone levels with bioidentical testosterone – this is identical to the testosterone in your own body. Testosterone replacement therapy is most commonly delivered by topical creams so is easy to use. It usually works very quickly though we say to give up to six weeks to see benefit. Possible side effects of testosterone therapy are irritability or increased sex drive but these are rare.

Symptoms or conditions related to low testosterone can easily be improved with testosterone replacement therapy and this can make a huge difference to health. Testosterone therapy can help symptoms such as generalised weakness, low energy, frailty, low mood, problems with sexual function and cognition.

Testosterone therapy is so important for disease prevention because it -Preserves bone density,

-Preserves muscle strength

-Helps prevent insulin resistance

-Keeps the mood good and the memory sharp