- When replacement is indicated
- Remedies for male hormone replacement
- Possible side effects
- Hormone replacement causes cancer?
Male hormone replacement is indicated for the treatment of andropause, a hormonal disorder that appears in men over 40 years of age and is characterized by low testosterone production, causing decreased libido, irritability and weight gain. See what the symptoms of andropause are.
Testosterone starts to drop at around 30 years of age but it is not necessary for men to start using synthetic testosterone at this stage because it can be harmful to health. Replacement is only indicated after the age of 40 and if the symptoms are very intense, causing discomfort. In this case, you should go to the urologist to perform a blood test that indicates the testosterone level in the bloodstream and then start treatment.
When replacement is indicated
Testosterone levels usually start to decrease after the age of 30, but not every man needs to do hormone replacement and, therefore, it is important to consult the urologist to assess the symptoms and testosterone levels and, thus, define whether initiated treatment for andropause or not.
Symptoms related to decreased testosterone production are decreased libido, difficulty with erection, hair loss, weight gain, decreased muscle mass, increased irritability and insomnia. Based on the symptoms reported by the doctor, blood tests can be ordered by the doctor in order to assess men's health, such as total and free testosterone, PSA, FSH, LH and prolactin, which despite being a hormone dosed in women to check the milk production capacity during pregnancy, for example, may indicate some male dysfunction. Understand how the prolactin test is performed in men and how to evaluate the results.
Normal blood testosterone values in men are between 241 and 827 ng / dL, in the case of free testosterone, and, in the case of free testosterone, 2.57 - 18.3 ng / dL in men between 41 and 60 years old, and 1.86 - 19.0 ng / dL in men over 60 years old, the values may vary according to the laboratory. Thus, values below the reference values may indicate less hormone production by the testicles, and hormone replacement may be indicated by the doctor according to the symptoms. Learn all about testosterone.
Remedies for male hormone replacement
Male hormone replacement is done according to the guidance of the urologist, who may indicate the use of some medications, such as:
- Cyproterone acetate, testosterone acetate or testosterone undecanoate tablets such as Durateston; Dihydrotestosterone gel; Testosterone cypionate, decanoate or enanthate injections, applied once a month; Testosterone adhesives or implants.
Another way to improve the symptoms of andropause in men is to change lifestyle habits such as healthy eating, physical exercise, not smoking, not drinking alcohol, reducing the consumption of salt and fatty foods. The use of vitamin, mineral and antioxidant supplements, such as Vitrix Nutrex, can also help to control the low level of testosterone in an individual's blood. Discover 4 ways to increase testosterone naturally.
Possible side effects
Testosterone replacement should only be done with medical advice and should not be used to gain muscle mass, as it can cause serious damage to health, such as:
- Worsening of prostate cancer; Increased risk of cardiovascular disease; Increased liver toxicity; Appearance or worsening of sleep apnea; Acne and skin oiliness; Allergic skin reactions due to patch application; Abnormal breast enlargement or cancer breast.
Testosterone treatment is also not indicated for men who have suspected or confirmed prostate or breast cancer due to possible side effects of hormone replacement, so before starting hormone treatment, they should also perform tests to detect the presence of cancer prostate, breast or testis, liver disease and cardiovascular problems. See what preventive exams make men healthier.
Hormone replacement causes cancer?
Male hormonal replacement does not cause cancer, but it can aggravate the disease in men who still have poorly developed cancer. Therefore, about 3 or 6 months after the beginning of the treatment, the rectal exam and PSA measurement should be performed to check for important changes that indicate the presence of cancer. Find out which tests identify prostate problems.
