Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Male Hypogonadism
Male hypogonadism is a condition in which a man’s body does not produce sufficient amounts of male hormones. Hypogonadism can affect masculine growth and development during puberty and can result in low sex drive and decreased sperm production in adulthood.
Fortunately, male hypogonadism can be treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to return testosterone levels to normal. In this article the HRT experts at SottoPelle explain the cause and symptoms of male hypogonadism and discuss how testosterone replacement therapy can treat this condition.
Symptoms of Male Hypogonadism
A person can be born with male hypogonadism in which case it may manifest begin during fetal development or before puberty. It can develop later in life due to an injury or infection. The symptoms of male hypogonadism will depend on when and how the condition develops.
If a male body does not produce enough testosterone during fetal development, hypogonadism can result in impaired or underdeveloped growth of the external sex organs. Male hypogonadism can also delay puberty or cause incomplete or lack of normal development. It can cause decreased muscle mass, lack of body and facial hair, impaired growth of the penis and testicles and development of breast tissue (gynecomastia).
Types of Hypogonadism
There are two basic types of hypogonadism: primary and secondary. Both types of hypogonadism can be caused by an inherited (genetic) trait or can be due to something that happens later in life, such as an injury or an infection.
Primary hypogonadism — also known as primary testicular failure — originates from a problem in the testicles. Mumps, too much iron in the blood, injury to the testicles, and cancer treatments can damage the testicles so that they do not produce sufficient male hormone.
Secondary hypogonadism results from a problem in the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland — parts of the brain that signal the testicles to produce testosterone. With secondary hypogonadism, the testicles are normal, but they don’t function properly.
Kallmann’s syndrome is an abnormal development of the area of the brain that controls the secretion of pituitary hormones (hypothalamus). An abnormality in the pituitary gland can also impair the release of hormones from the pituitary gland to the testicles. Obesity, aging, HIV/AIDS and certain medications can also cause low levels of testosterone by affecting the hypothalamus, the pituitary and the testes.
Treating Male Hypogonadism with Testosterone Replacement
The best way to treat the symptoms of hypogonadism will depend upon the type, the cause and at what age the male hypogonadism occurs. Many types of male hypogonadism can be successfully treated with testosterone replacement therapy. Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is FDA-approved for clinical hypogonadism.
When male hypogonadism is treated with testosterone replacement therapy, testosterone levels can often be returned to normal. In many cases this can reverse the signs and symptoms of male hypogonadism, including decreased sexual desire, decreased energy, decreased facial and body hair, erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle mass, and low bone density. For men wishing to preserve fertility, Gonadotropins shots may be a better alternative to testosterone replacement therapy – however this treatment does require frequent injections.
A certified SottoPelle physician can conduct thorough blood work including serum testosterone tests and luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations to determine if your hormone levels are below normal levels. If hypogonadism is suspected, they can also employ assessments for diagnosis of clinical hypogonadism including the Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male questionnaire and the Aging Males’ Symptoms scale. When taking testosterone replacement therapy, the Endocrine Society recommends that patients be monitored throughout the first year of treatment and then yearly after that.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Male Hypogonadism
The SottoPelle customized testosterone replacement method for male hypogonadism is not “one-size-fits all”. It is custom dosed and compounded to ensure that the exact, personalized dosages to restore your hormones to normal levels – for optimal symptom relief. Additionally, bioidentical hormones, such as those used in the SottoPelle method exactly replicate the molecular structure of the hormones produced by the body, so they are not only more effective, but also much safer and free of many of the side effects of synthetics.
And, because time-released hormone pellet therapy only requires a single insertion that lasts up to six months, it eliminates the hassle of daily pills or topical creams and/or painful weekly injections.
If you have been diagnosed with male hypogonadism – or if you are suffering from symptoms such as low libido, “man breasts,” or erectile dysfunction – ask your physician if the safe, easy, natural SottoPelle testosterone replacement method is right for you. Or find a physician in your area who is SottoPelle certified using our Physician Finder HERE.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as general information only and is not intended to be used as medical advice. While the benefits of hormone replacement are well documented through clinical research, we are not representing that hormone therapy is a “cure” for any disease. Only your treating physician can determine if hormone replacement may be a beneficial part of your healthcare regimen, based on your age, overall health, risk factors, and lifestyle.
