Testosterone replacement therapy

Vial of testosterone for intramuscular injection

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Testosterone replacement therapy is also called androgen replacement therapy. It is a treatment to males in response to a condition called hypogonadism. Testosterone replacement therapy is also done to reduce the effects of aging in men.

Men with low sex-drives also undergo this treatment. A condition called male menopause affects men. The decline of androgens in males is often called andropause or male menopause. Characterized by low testosterone levels, men have low libido levels. They are unable to get sufficient testosterone from natural food and resort to this to get more sexually active.

Middle-aged men are affected by many low-testosterone symptoms. Some of them are a lack of sex drive, non-rigid erections, erectile dysfunction, tiredness, declining strength, and many more such things. Men also find rampant accumulation of fat, and lower metabolism levels.

To stop or recede these symptoms of aging, some men would want to pump-in androgen in their bodies. Androgens are male hormones. Testosterone is a type of androgen. Testosterone is also produced by women too, but in very insignificant quantity.

Testosterone replacement therapy does have some sideeeffects. It results in over-production of sebum. This results in oily skin, and unwanted pimples in middle-aged men. Some people also face exaggerated growth of the prostate gland. Another common problem with androgen replacement therapy is the aggravation of existing sleep problems.

Testosterone is administered by way of intra-muscular injections.  This is done once in every three weeks. Another way is to wear testosterone patches which is worn over the scrotum.