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Safest Testosterone Therapy

Low testosterone is known as hypogonadism. This condition is treated with hormone replacement therapy for men who suffer from erectile dysfunction, loss of energy and osteoporosis because of the low levels of testosterone. Testosterone replacement is safe as long as it is monitored by a physician.

  1. Consult the Doctor

    • Never use testosterone therapy without your doctor's guidance. It is possible to increase levels of testosterone through muscle-building exercise, but for some men this is not enough.

      Describe your symptoms to your doctor if you suspect low testosterone issues. He will perform tests to determine the levels of hormone in your blood, and more tests to find the cause of the low levels. These can include blood tests, semen analysis, imaging of the pituitary gland (where testosterone is made) and a biopsy of your testicles. These will rule out a tumor or other medical condition that is causing the testosterone levels to drop.

    Testosterone Replacement

    • When the diagnosis is that testicular failure is the reason for your low testosterone levels, the treatment will likely be hormone replacement. The safest method is an injection from your doctor, allowing your condition to be monitored. You can also learn how to give yourself the shots, or a family member can be instructed.

      Ask for testosterone patches if you're more comfortable with this method. The patch may cause skin irritation; rotate the patches to different locations to avoid these irritations.

      Gels are another method for hormone replacement, but you may find them difficult to use, and they can be transferred to others from your hands if not washed off properly. The FDA has issued a warning about testosterone transference from this method.

      Oral testosterone is not recommended because of the increased risk of liver disease.

      Discuss all your options with your doctor, and always use testosterone with his guidance. Testosterone therapy has been touted as the fountain of youth for aging men but should only be used in case of a medical condition.

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