HYPOGONADISM
Low Testosterone and Men's Health
What is the role of testosterone in men's health?
Testosterone is the most important sex hormone that men have. Its function is to
promote typical male characteristics and help maintain men's health together with
sex drive, sperm production, pubic and body hair, muscle, and bone.The brain controls
the production of testosterone by the testes. Low testosterone (also called hypogonadism)
can cause:
- A drop in sex drive
- Poor erections
- Low sperm count
- Enlarged breasts
Over time, low testosterone may cause a man to lose body hair, muscle bulk and strength,
accumulate body fat, and have weaker bones (Osteoporosis), mood changes, less energy,
and smaller testes.
What causes low testosterone?
Low testosterone can be caused by injury to the testes (e.g., trauma, castration,radiation
or chemotherapy), testicular infection, hormonal disorders (e.g., pituitary tumors
or diseases, high levels of prolactin), or other systemic diseases (e.g., HIV/AIDS,
chronic liver and kidney disease too much body fat, and type 2 diabetes and associated
obesity). Some medications and several genetic conditions (e.g., Klinefelter syndrome,
hemochromatosis, Kallmann syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and mytonic dystrophy)
can also cause low testosterone. Many older men have low testosterone levels and,
in many cases, the cause is not known.
How is low testosterone diagnosed?
During a physical exam, your doctor will examine body hair,breast size, consistency
and size of the testes, scrotum, penis size, etc. Your doctor will also use blood
tests to evaluate if the total testosterone level is within the normal range. To
diagnose low testosterone you may need more than one early-morning (7-10 AM) blood
test and, sometimes, other tests of the pituitary gland's hormones.
How is low testosterone treated?
Testosterone replacement therapy can improve men's health in general such as increased
sense of mood and well being, increased energy and vitality, and also heightening
sexual interest, erectile function, body hair growth, bone density, and muscle mass.There
are several methods of testosterone replacement:
- Injections
- Patches
- Gel
- Oral forms
The best method will depend on the cause of the problem, the patient's preference
and tolerance, and cost. For long term use of Testosterone replacement, patients
will be continuously monitored to achieve the best possible result and prevent risk
according to international standard.