OVERVIEW
OVERVIEWWhile hormone therapy or hormone replacement therapy is often associated with the female gender, men can benefit from it just as much as women. In fact, there are many hormone therapy options for men that can boost testosterone and have you feeling like your younger self in no time.
How does hormone therapy work for men?
The purpose of hormone therapy is to boost the testosterone levels of men. It works the same way and serves the same purpose as hormone therapy for women. Additional testosterone is often introduced into the body through creams, gels, sprays, pills, and injections. However, regardless of how you add hormones to your body, the reason is usually that you have low testosterone or hormone deficiency.
Different types of hormone therapies for men
Here is a list of the most common types of hormone therapies for men.
Injections
Intramuscular testosterone injections are when you have testosterone administered in the form of a shot. Shots are usually taken in the buttock muscles and should be performed every two to three weeks.
Patches
Patches containing testosterone are applied to various parts of the body on the surface of the skin. Your body then absorbs the testosterone into the bloodstream and distributes it where it's needed most.
Topical creams
Topical creams, gels, and sprays are another common way to get testosterone into your system. Topical supplements work the same way that patches do, in that testosterone is absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream.
Oral supplements
Oral supplements such as pills are the most common form of hormone therapy simply because of how accessible and easy-to-use pills are.
What are the risks of hormone therapy?
Before you decide that hormone therapy is right for you, it's vital that you understand a few of the risks involved. The most severe risks have to do with your physical appearance and your ability to reproduce. You could experience a reduced sperm count, shrinking testicles, infertility, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, and higher fluid retention.
Hormone therapy also increases the number of red blood cells in the body, which can cause pain, muscle soreness, blurry vision, and elevated blood pressure. While these side effects are rare and usually minor, it's important to know what you're getting into.
Do I need hormone therapy?
While the risks involved with hormone therapy are enough to scare some men away from it, the benefits often outweigh them. Low testosterone is linked to many problems that men experience and often impedes their quality of life. Here are some of the ways that hormone therapy can help you.
Improved mental capacity, including focus, memory, and your ability to handle complex thoughts.
- Increased bone density and muscle mass
- Improved mood and increased confidence as well as decreased levels of depression
- Boost your sex drive and libido
- More energy and less body fat
- Less anxiety and worry
If you're struggling with any of these things, you should strongly consider hormone therapy to boost your testosterone levels.
