Hormone Replacement Therapy for Men in Fort Lauderdale, FL

As men age, it’s natural for many to experience a drop in testosterone production. Men ranging from their 30s to 60s often recognize a change in their physical and emotional lives but can’t pinpoint the cause. These feelings commonly manifest as a lack of interest and excitement in relationships and intimacy. They may find that sex has become less frequent, fulfilling, and less pleasurable than it once was. The feelings men with hormone deficiencies can experience also include decreased interest in activities and hobbies they used to enjoy. These hobbies can instead begin to feel like a chore or a hassle. This sense of diminished energy is cause for concern and can often be attributed to the natural decrease in testosterone production that can come with age.

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)

These symptoms can be a part of the natural aging process for men, but that doesn’t mean that you have to accept them. Aging doesn’t have to include disengaging from the things you enjoy. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can make up the deficit in testosterone production that occurs with age and alleviate many symptoms that accompany low testosterone levels, such as loss of strength and low energy.

Symptoms of Low Testosterone

Some of the distressing symptoms that men may experience with low levels of this essential male hormone can include:

Low energy levels
A decrease in enjoyment of hobbies and activities
Poor quality/quantity of sleep
Diminished quality/quantity of erections
Decreased sexual arousal
Diminished sexual performance
Gradual degradation of mental performance and memory
Loss of lean muscle mass
Loss of strength
Limited feelings of drive and competitiveness

If you have been experiencing any of the symptoms of low testosterone mentioned above, you may very well benefit from hormone replacement therapy for men.

Causes of Low Testosterone in Men

It’s evident that men today must be vigilant about their testosterone levels. For reasons unknown, today’s average 60-year-old male has lower testosterone levels than a 60-year-old-man had a generation ago. This is true for men in every age group, as testosterone levels for the average man in America in 2007 were lower than in previous decades. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism study revealed this information included men across all age brackets, not just one.

Andropause and Aging

Perhaps the most significant cause of low testosterone in men is the onset of andropause. Think of andropause as the male equivalent of menopause in women. This is a transitional time in a man’s life marked by a gradual decrease in hormones at the rate of 1-2% each year. This process typically begins in a man’s mid-40s but can start earlier, especially if the patient in question is overweight. Andropause is the natural process during which men may start to notice signs of aging and symptoms of low testosterone.

Obesity and Testosterone

Some studies have also suggested that another cause of low testosterone could be obesity. Even younger men who are obese may have testosterone deficiencies. Unfortunately, low levels of this hormone can exacerbate an already vicious cycle because it can encourage low levels of exercise and weight gain. These effects, in turn, can cause further decreases in testosterone. In fact, fat produces a type of estrogen, a female hormone typically only present in small quantities in men. All these changes in estrogen and testosterone can further imbalance many other hormones.

The Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy for Men

If you are considering whether hormone replacement therapy might help you, you’ll need to first consult with your doctor to determine your testosterone levels. If your vital hormone levels are low, there are many benefits you might reap from HRT for men. Some of these include:

Increased muscle tone and muscle mass
Decreased body fat
Improved sexual performance and libido
Heightened endurance and strength
Renewed passion for life
More engagement in hobbies
More enjoyment in activities
Increased energy and endurance
Better stamina levels
Improved exercise tolerance
Enhanced mental clarity

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can offer these benefits and others by providing your body with bioidentical hormones—that is, hormones that are biologically very similar to the ones that your body naturally produces.

HRT Options for Men

Generally, there are three options available for the delivery of testosterone replacement therapy: injections, topicals, and pellets. Which one you use will depend on a few different factors, including your body and your schedule.

Testosterone Injections

Bioidentical testosterone injections bypass the liver, which can otherwise become damaged by oral supplements. Your body can absorb the hormones immediately and completely via injection.

Topical Gels and Creams

If you want a non-invasive form of hormone replacement therapy for men, consider topical creams and gels. Precise measurement and application are required, and they are easily transferred by skin-to-skin contact. Therefore, they may not be an ideal option for everyone.

Testosterone Pellets

This is a “set it and forget it” approach to hormone replacement therapy. These tiny testosterone pellets are no bigger than a grain of rice. One is inserted into the hip by a medical professional, and it releases a steady dose of testosterone for several months. When the body eventually metabolizes the pellet, a replacement can be inserted.