What Is The Best Testosterone Treatment?

Testosterone deficiency causes various symptoms, which are generally related to the reproductive system and hampers the development of secondary male characteristics. Whatever may be the cause, the bottom line is the reduction of testosterone level. So, the best treatment is the testosterone replacement therapy along with the treatment of the underlying cause.

As the condition is mainly characterized by the low levels of testosterone, the best treatment for this condition is testosterone replacement therapy. In this therapy, the testosterone is supplemented from outside through different dosage forms. The dosage form advised by the physician depends upon the level of testosterone in body as well on the extent of patient’s compliance. Various dosage forms include injection, oral, gels and transdermal patches. The various dosage forms are as follows:

1. Injection: 75 to 100 mg of testosterone enanthate is injected weekly.
2. Oral: the recommended dose of testosterone tablet or soft gelatin capsule is 80 mg once or twice a day.
3. Oral patch: The patch is in the form of tablet which sticks on the gums and release the drug directly in to the blood.
4. Transdermal Patch: The transdermal patch is applied on the arm or other non-pressure areas. One or two patches can be applied daily.
5. Gels: Testosterone gel can be applied on the skin once daily. There are certain gels which can be applied inside the nose. The gels also come with pump to administer the amount of drug as recommended.

The oral form of this hormone is not widely used due to the reason that it gets metabolized due to first pass metabolism and is also believed to have a negative impact on the liver.

The positive effect of the testosterone replacement therapy varies on an individual basis. Some patient experiences high boost in libido while some does not notice any change.

As with other hormonal replacement therapy, the testosterone replacement therapy has its own side effects. The skin becomes oily and prone to acne. There may be rashes on the skin. Further, there is a decreased urine outflow and a short-term reduction of sperm count.

Testosterone is an important hormone in the males and is responsible for the number of physiological functions, the most important being reproductive function. The low level of testosterone is known as hypogonadism and related to symptoms such as low libido, erectile dysfunction, delayed puberty, and low body hairs. Following are the causes of low levels of testosterone:

Age: As the age increases, the capacity of the Leydig cells to produce testosterone decreases. Further, the control center of the release such as pituitary and hypothalamus also has reduced activity.

Injury: The testis is the testosterone producing site and any injury to testes may reduce the secretion of testosterone.

Hormonal Disorders: Various hormones are involved in the synthesis and secretion of testosterone. Any deficiency in this functional cascade reduces the final concentration of testosterone.

Testicular Cancer And Its Treatment: The cancerous cells in the testis replace the functioning Leydig cells thereby reducing the testosterone output. The condition becomes more complex when the testicular cancer is treated with chemotherapy of radiotherapy.

Infection: Any infection in the body reduces the concentration of the hormone for a particular period.

Drugs: There are certain drugs which reduces the level of testosterone. Withdrawal of these drugs from the treatment regimen restores the normal level of the hormone.

Disorders: Hypogonadism may also occur due to Klinefelter syndrome, Kallmann syndrome, myotonic dystrophy and vanishing testicle syndrome.

Idiopathic: Sometime the cause of low level of testosterone remains unknown.

The best treatment for the male hypogonadism is the testosterone replacement therapy. The therapy is available in various dosage forms and in various strengths. The dose and dosage form are decided by the physician on the basis of various factors. Certain side effects such as acne, oily skin, rashes and short-term sperm count reduction are also experienced by the patients undergoing testosterone replacement therapy.

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Also Read:

• Testosterone: Treatment of Opioid Induced Hypogonadism
• How to Improve the Testosterone Level: Enhance your Manpower !!
• Causes & Symptoms of Low Testosterone in Men
• Symptoms of Low Testosterone in Men
• Link between Testosterone and Hair Loss
• Testosterone Deficiency: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Side Effects of Testosterone Replacement Therapy