Testosterone Therapy Injections: Uses, Safety, and Side Effects
If you're a man experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, such as decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, or fatigue, testosterone therapy injections may be an option for you. Testosterone therapy is the most common form of treatment for low testosterone levels, and it comes in many forms: gels, patches, implants, and injections. In this article, we'll focus on testosterone therapy injections: what they are, how they work, their benefits and risks, and possible side effects.
What are testosterone injections?
Testosterone injections are a form of hormone replacement therapy. They’re used to treat conditions that cause a person’s body to make either too little testosterone or none at all. Testosterone is the male sex hormone. It’s responsible for the development of male characteristics, such as facial hair and a deep voice. It also plays a role in fertility, muscle mass, and sex drive.
Testosterone injections are usually given intramuscularly. This means they’re injected into a muscle, such as the buttocks, thigh, or upper arm. A healthcare provider will determine the best injection site for each person. The injections are usually given every two to four weeks.
What are testosterone injections used for?
Testosterone injections are most commonly used to treat hypogonadism. This is a condition that occurs when the testicles don’t produce enough testosterone. Testosterone replacement therapy in Denver can help relieve symptoms of hypogonadism, such as low sex drive and erectile dysfunction.
It can also help with conditions that cause low testosterone levels, such as Klinefelter syndrome. Testosterone injections are also used to treat delayed puberty in boys. This is when a boy’s body does not produce enough testosterone on its own and puberty does not start at the usual age.
What are the risks of testosterone injections
Testosterone therapy is a medical treatment used to help men with testosterone deficiency. Testosterone therapy can be given as an injection, patch, gel, or pill. The most common side effect of testosterone therapy is acne. Other potential side effects include:
- increased risk of heart disease
- cardiovascular disease
- sleep apnea
- enlarged breasts
- shrunken testicles
- infertility
- increased risk of prostate cancer
- weight loss issues
Treating low testosterone levels in males
Treating low testosterone levels in males can have many benefits. However, testosterone therapy also has some risks. Talk to your doctor about the potential risks and benefits of testosterone therapy before starting treatment.
To treat males with low testosterone levels, doctors may recommend testosterone injections. This condition--low testosterone production by the testicles--is called hypogonadism.
Low testosterone has many potential negative side effects. Men with low testosterone may experience a lower sperm count, reduced bone or muscle mass, increased body fat, and erectile dysfunction. Normal total testosterone levels in adult males lie between 280 and 1,100 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl).
The following are benefits of testosterone therapy when treating hypogonadism:
- improved sexual function
- increased lean muscle mass and strength
- improved mood
- better cognitive function
- possible reduction in osteoporosis
It is important to note that this therapy treats the symptoms of low testosterone rather than the underlying cause.
Although Low Testosterone (Low-T symptoms) is a serious diagnosis, the symptoms are very general and could also be due to other conditions or lifestyle choices. If you think you may have Low-T, make an appointment with your doctor.
Before starting testosterone therapy, it's important to talk to your doctor about the potential risks and side effects. Testosterone therapy is generally safe, but there are a few potential risks to be aware of. Talk to your doctor or medical professionals in Denver, Co if you have any concerns. They can help you decide if testosterone therapy is right for you.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about testosterone therapy, please contact us. We offer free consultation appointments to discuss your individual needs and see if testosterone therapy is right for you.