There are many reasons men go without treatment for androgen deficiency. It may be that the changes in your hormone levels came on so gradually that you don’t recognize how seriously they are impacting your life, even as it becomes evident to those around you. You may dismiss your symptoms as normal complications of aging and think you just have to live with them. Even if you know something is wrong, you might not want to admit that there’s a problem. Or you may be embarrassed to talk about what you are experiencing, even with the most compassionate of medical professionals.
But whatever the reason and whatever your stage of life, you can make a different choice. By getting the right treatment for androgen deficiency, you can start on the path to regaining your health and improving your quality of life.
Recognizing the Impact of Androgen Deficiency
Androgens, sometimes referred to as male hormones, are an essential part of human development and play an ongoing role in your daily health, vitality, and overall well-being. The most important of these hormones is testosterone, which is involved in a plethora of critical physical, emotional, and cognitive functions, including reproduction, energy, metabolism, and mood regulation. Androgen deficiency occurs when your androgen levels—particularly testosterone—are lower than they need to be to maintain good health. A variety of underlying health conditions can trigger this deficiency, including Klinefelter syndrome and varicocele, and it becomes more common with age; according to the Cleveland Clinic, “after the age of 60, as many as 1 in 10 men are affected by low testosterone.” Depending on the exact cause of the deficiency, this deficiency may also be referred to as hypogonadism.
Regardless of the underlying cause, low levels of male sex hormones can result in the following symptoms:
- Low energy
- Weight gain
- Muscle loss
- Decreased libido
- Depression
- Mood changes
- Sleep disruptions
- Irritability
Understanding these symptoms not as inevitable parts of aging, but as a legitimate medical concern is crucial to helping you properly contextualize your experiences and recognize the need for intervention.
Due to the significant impact androgens have on quality of life, some men are even interested in monitoring their hormone levels via hormone testing before they experience any symptoms at all. In this way, they can recognize changes early and be ready to adapt as needed. Wherever you may be along the journey to lasting vitality, there are options for comprehensive support.
Getting the Best Treatment for Androgen Deficiency
As you age, you will likely experience a plethora of physiological phenomena over which you have little control. Hormone imbalance, however, is typically not one of them. Androgen deficiency is well-understood by experts in hormone health, and effective treatment is widely available.
Admitting you need help can of course be difficult—it can be hard to feel vulnerable. And when some of the symptoms are so intensely personal in nature, reaching out is even more intimidating. But seeking professional help is absolutely the best way to begin the healing process and find durable relief from your symptoms so that you can live the life you want.
Your first step on the path back to balance is to meet with a practitioner who specializes in hormone health and can equip you with real solutions. They will offer not only state-of-the-art hormone testing, but a comprehensive health assessment that includes a physical exam, complete medical history, and an in-depth discussion of your symptoms. They will get to know you, your life, and your history, and listen to you without judgment. With a full picture of your health, they can then determine the exact nature of your imbalance and design a treatment plan based on the most effective options for your body and your lifestyle. While your practitioner may recommend nutritional strategies, fitness activities, and stress reduction techniques to support your overall health and vitality, testosterone replacement therapy is likely to be the cornerstone of your care.
The Benefits of Customized Care
Men with androgen deficiency may share many common symptoms, but each person is unique, and what works for one man may not be appropriate for another. To get the best results, it’s therefore important that the type of testosterone replacement therapy you choose suits both your body and your lifestyle. For a growing number of men, this means turning to bioidentical hormones rather than conventional therapies.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) uses plant-derived hormones that are chemically identical to the hormones produced by your own body. These hormones are used to formulate custom-compounded medications tailored to your individual hormone levels, symptoms, and personal preferences. In addition to customized dosing, you can choose amongst a variety of administration methods to ensure your treatment is as simple and comfortable as possible. For example, while some men prefer gels, creams, and patches for their ease of use, testosterone pellets are growing in popularity owing to their steady dosing, long efficacy, and low risk of user error. Of course, your treatment should be continuously monitored and refined over time to ensure you are receiving optimal benefits even as your natural hormone levels continue to fluctuate.
When you begin treatment for androgen deficiency, your body has the opportunity to return to balance, deeply impacting body, mind, and emotional state. You may experience increased energy, sex drive, muscle mass, and strength. Your mood may lift, and your sleep patterns may normalize. You may experience greater cognitive clarity. Just as importantly, these changes will likely combine to enhance not only how you feel about yourself, but how you function in daily life and relate to those around you, improving your relationships and reinvigorating your spirit.
If you’re struggling with symptoms of androgen deficiency, BodyLogicMD can help. The BodyLogicMD network is comprised of expert practitioners who specialize in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and integrative medicine. With the guidance of a BodyLogicMD-affiliated practitioner, you can start a personalized treatment plan designed to relieve your symptoms and achieve your goals. Begin your journey today—contact a local practitioner to schedule your first appointment, or take the BodyLogicMD Hormone Balance Quiz to learn more about how your hormones could be impacting your daily life.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. All content on this website is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent diseases.
