HRT for Men – Androgen Replacement Therapy

HRT

HRT : Empowering Your Health with Hormone Replacement Therapy: Restoring Balance and Vitality

 

Androgen Replacement Therapy

It is hormone treatment for middle-age and older men facing Hypogonadism, often intended to counter the natural effects of aging. Androgen replacement is also used for men who have lost their testicular function to disease, or cancer, or to other causes.

 

Testosterone

As men enter middle age they may notice changes caused by a relative decline in testosterone: fewer erections, fatigue, thinning skin, declining muscle mass and strength, more body fat. This dissatifaction with the changes of aging has led to the development of the idea of androgen replacement therapy.

They call male hormones androgens from Greek words andro meaning man, and gen meaning giving birth to. Primary among them is the natural hormone testosterone, which is produce in the testes, ovaries and adrenals.

Females also produce testosterone in the adrenals and as a precursor to estrogen, but the amount of circulating testosterone is generally far less than in males, although the ranges on the two genders overlap. Both sexes also produce an androgen precursor called dihydroepiandrostene (DHEAS) from which the body can make androgens.

Androgens

It causes the secondary sex characteristics of males: facial hair, thicker skin, low body fat, deeper voice, muscularity, penis and scrotal growth and darkening, broad shoulders, body hair, erection of the penis, etc. With increasing age, testosterone production declines, and many of these changes start to reverse.

This “decline of maleness” with age has given rise to a term: “andropause”. This term implies a parallel with menopause in women, although the two states are by no means equivalent. The term manopause is use in the popular press.

There are several artificial androgens, including nandrolone and various other manipulations of the testosterone molecule. Androgen replacement is via patch, tablet, pill or cream; or depot injections given into fat or muscle.

According to reports it can increase alertness and well-being, can also heighten libido and erection ability, increase lean muscle mass, and a concomitant decrease in body fat.

Adverse effects of testosterone supplementation include minor side effects such as acne and oily skin. Moreover, significant complications such as increased hematocrit may also be one. 

Another adverse effect may be significant hair loss and/or thinning of the hair. This may be prevented with Propecia (Finasteride), which blocks DHT (a byproduct of testosterone in the body), during treatment. Exogenous testosterone also causes suppression of spermatogenesis and can lead to infertility.

 

Prostate Cancer


Physicians recommends screen for prostate cancer. A digital rectal exam and PSA (prostate-specific antigen) level before starting therapy is a must. , Also, monitor hematocrit and PSA levels closely during therapy.

There is the possibility of abuse. Some athletes may demand far higher levels of androgen than normal in order to outperform others. Also, other people may feel they require greater doses in order to achieve what they perceive as a feeling of greater well-being.

Androgen replacement has a direct role in the treatment of hypogonadism, and may improve associated features such as anemia,[1] and fatigue.[2]

In addition, a number of other effects of testosterone have led to research into possible therapeutic roles in:

erectile dysfunction
osteoporosis
diabetes mellitus
chronic heart failure


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