About 40% of men 45 and older experience symptoms of low testosterone, like muscle loss and fatigue. At Atlas Men’s Clinic, our experienced urologists and their teams provide complete care for low testosterone. Make an appointment by calling one of our offices in Los Angeles or San Diego, or using the online booking feature today.
What is low testosterone?
Low testosterone — sometimes called low T — is a common problem affecting middle-aged men. Testosterone levels fall when the testicles stop producing as much as they once did. Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone. It helps maintain your reproductive health, muscle mass, and bone density.
Almost all men experience hormonal fluctuations. But if your symptoms affect your quality of life, seek treatment right away.
What are the symptoms of low testosterone?
The symptoms of low testosterone include:
- Low sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Fatigue
- Moodiness and irritability
- Depression
- Loss of muscle mass and strength
- Unexplained increase in body fat
- Mental fog
- Loss of bone mass
- Hair loss
- Thinner skin
As the condition worsens, you might also gain weight and develop enlarged breasts (gynecomastia). If you have any of these symptoms, please contact Atlas Men's Clinic today.
What causes low testosterone?
Most men experience low testosterone because of the natural aging process. After you turn 30, testosterone production drops about 1% each year. Other things that can raise your risk of low testosterone include:
- Chemotherapy
- Alcohol abuse
- Chronic kidney failure
- Metabolic disorders
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Trauma
You’re more likely to experience low testosterone if you’ve ever used anabolic steroids.
How is low testosterone diagnosed?
To diagnose low testosterone, your Atlas Men’s Clinic provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms. They order lab work, including blood tests, to measure your testosterone levels. Your testosterone levels are highest in the morning, so the team recommends drawing your blood at the start of the day.
How is low testosterone treated?
At Atlas Men’s Clinic, the team treats low testosterone with testosterone replacement therapy. Treatment can be administered in several ways. Depending on your age and symptoms, the team could recommend:
- Intramuscular injections
- Testosterone patches
- Testosterone gel
- Implantable testosterone pellets
It could take trial and error to determine which hormone replacement therapy benefits you most.
Who Can Get Low Testosterone Treatment?
Most men can experience lower testosterone levels in their 50s. However, some may suffer from low testosterone as early as 30. It is around this age that we recommend patients can begin low testosterone therapy.
If you have prostate cancer, suffer from sleep apnea, or are overweight, this procedure may not be recommended for you. Patients who are still interested in having children should understand that participating in testosterone therapy can lower your sperm count with each passing year.
An in-depth consultation with one of our highly experienced doctors will provide insight into your candidacy for testosterone treatment and if it can benefit you and your medical needs.
Is testosterone replacement therapy safe?
Testosterone replacement therapy has proven to be safe and usually well-tolerated. Even so, it takes your body several weeks to adjust to the influx of new hormones. So you might experience mild side effects like bloating, acne, or skin irritation. These should subside within a month, but if your symptoms continue or get worse, contact Atlas Men’s Clinic immediately.
When Will I Notice Improvements?
From the start of their testosterone replacement therapy, most men can begin to feel improvement in symptoms anywhere between four to six weeks. Because your body will take time to adjust to the hormone therapy, it could be a few weeks before results become noticeable.
Small changes, such as an increase in sweat, oil production, or the odors of your urine, may change within a few weeks. It may take anywhere between four to six months to notice changes in your overall muscle mass. Hormone therapy can be a slow process, but because it allows body time to adjust, many patients never feel discomfort or side effects from their treatment.
How Long Will Results from Testosterone Therapy Last?
Patients may notice changes from testosterone therapy happening within the first six months of their treatment. However, between six to twelve months after you start testosterone therapy is when patients will notice their changes stabilizing and their bodies adjusting more permanently. Changes will begin to feel natural, and they can often stay that way for several years.
If you find that testosterone therapy is working for you, you can use this treatment for as long as you desire. Some patients use it indefinitely, enjoying their results for a lifetime.
Schedule a consultation
At Atlas Men’s Clinic, we understand how a hormonal imbalance can affect one’s life. Between your sex drive, your overall mood, and your ability to enjoy life, our team is here to help you achieve your best life through testosterone replacement therapy. If you are interested in low testosterone treatment, now is the time to book a consultation with us.
Dr. Kiarash Michel, MD, Dr. Mohamed Bidair, MD, and Dr. Michael Oefelein, M.D. are all invested in the health and improvement of each patient and are ready to help. Click here to schedule your first consultation today or call your nearest location to find out if you are a candidate. The team at Atlas Men’s Clinic is proud to serve patients in the Los Angeles, La Mesa, and Bakersfield, California areas. We look forward to seeing you soon!
