For years, females have been using hormone replacement therapy to help ease the transition into menopause. Recently, men have begun taking a similar approach—supplementing testosterone as they age to counteract some of the effects of the lower testosterone levels that come with aging. Is this approach, which is known as male hormone replacement, a good choice for you? Consider the upsides and downsides, and then chat with your doctor for more insight.
The Upsides of Male Hormone Replacement
1. You feel more youthful. Have you ever said that you feel old? These lower energy levels that seem to come with age are related to lower testosterone levels. Supplementing with testosterone will help you feel more energetic so you can keep up with work, family obligations, and social activities and not feel drained when doing so.
2. You'll have an easier time staying fit and keeping your muscle mass up. As testosterone levels fall with age, it gets harder to stay fit. Even if you exercise just as much as you did when you were younger, you won't put on muscle or gain fitness as easily. Supplementing with testosterone helps with this.
3. Your libido will be better sustained. Libido and self-confidence are closely linked, and the loss of libido that often comes with age can have vast consequences for your personal life. Hormone replacement helps keep your libido high, which in turn can help you maintain your confidence and your relationships.
The Downsides of Male Hormone Replacement
1. Long-term side effects are not well studied. Scientists have studied the effects of testosterone replacement in the short-term, but since the longer-term use of testosterone for male hormone replacement is somewhat new, the long-term effects are not well studied. There may be some long-term side effects that are not well known yet.
2. Some men complain of side effects. Although most men do respond well to hormone replacement, some people suffer unwanted side effects. These can include mood swings, acne, oily skin, and headaches. If you do develop side effects, you can sometimes adjust your dose and reduce these side effects, but sometimes this makes the treatment less effective, too.
There are both upsides and downsides to male hormone replacement. Talk with your doctor about these points, and ask them if you are a good candidate for hormone replacement therapy. It's worth exploring the benefits because, for most people, the drawbacks are minor and not overly worrisome.
Share18 November 2020
After watching my mother navigate treatment for breast cancer in my early teens, I knew pretty much what to expect from my dad's diagnosis with prostate cancer. What I didn't know was how different chemotherapy and radiation can affect different people. My mother became very ill while my dad seemed to weather the treatments with few ill effects. I spent a long time researching the differences in treatments, types of chemotherapy, and how each one can react differently with the body. I created this blog to help others understand the same things, because I knew I couldn't be the only one unfamiliar with it. I hope it helps you if someone you love is facing treatment for any type of cancer.
