Men's Health Specialists in Denver, Colorado Helping Patients Speak Up about Low Sex Drive, Loss in Muscle Mass and Sleep Disturbances Due to Low Testosterone

January 2011: Board-certified urologists at Advanced Urology are helping improve the quality of life for male patients suffering from low testosterone. The symptoms of low testosterone, also called androgen deficiency or male hypogonadism, can seriously affect a man's daily life and possibly signal other serious health issues. In all cases, talking to a healthcare professional is crucial, but very few men seek help for this relatively easy to diagnose and treat condition.

"It can be difficult for men to talk about the symptoms related to low testosterone such as sexual dysfunction, muscle weakness and feelings of depression," says Dr. John Seidlin, urologist. "We encourage men to speak up, although it may be hard. If it's really low testosterone to blame, hormone replacement therapy can make a big difference in the patient's daily life, improving, if not eliminating these embarrassing symptoms."

About Male Menopause/Low Testosterone

Similar to women, men experience normal changes in hormone production as they age. Starting around age 30, the level of testosterone (male sex hormone produced by the testicles to grow and maintain male physical characteristics) in men begins to gradually decline. Additionally, other issues such as undergoing chemotherapy or radiation for cancer treatment, obesity, chronic kidney failure and stress can lead to lowered testosterone. Symptoms may include:

• Low Energy
• Low Sex Drive (libido)
• Smaller Testicles
• Decrease in Strength/Loss of Muscle Mass
• Lost Height
• Loss in Enjoyment/Feeling Depressed
• Interruptions in Sleep

Not all men whose testosterone levels fall below 300 ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter of blood) will experience these symptoms, so treatment will not be necessary. But, for those who do experience symptoms, talking to a urologist is important, not only to rule out other potential issues, but to gain control of these symptoms so they do not negatively affect quality of life.

Testosterone Deficiency Treatment Options

If results from a physical exam and blood work indicate low testosterone is the cause of the symptoms and not other underlying health conditions, treatment will likely include Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT).

The goal of TRT is to return the levels of testosterone to normal in order to improve symptoms. TRT comes in several different forms and the right option is up to each patient and their urologist. Testosterone replacement may be given as:

• Gel (applied daily)
• Patches (worn on the body or on the scrotum)
• Injections (intramuscular injections given every 2-3 weeks)
• Oral Medications (Methyltestosterone)
• Pellets (inserted under the skin near the hip every 3-6 months)

Dr. Seidlin remarks, "fortunately for men with testosterone deficiency, there are several treatment options available. The best approach is to work with each patient to find the option that best fits their health history and current lifestyle, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment."

Seeking Help for Low Testosterone in Denver, Colorado

If you suffer from several of the symptoms of androgen deficiency listed above, we urge you to talk to your primary care provider or contact Advanced Urology. Getting help now may allow you to eliminate some of these bothersome symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Learn more about Low Testosterone, including suggested questions to ask your doctor>>