Low Testosterone
Effective Men's Health Low T Treatment Philadelphia
What is Low Testosterone?
Low testosterone, which is known medically as male hypogonadism, refers to a condition where the body is not producing normal levels of testosterone on its own. While testosterone production does slow with age, abnormal loss of testosterone affects sexual function, mental sharpness, and emotional wellbeing.
How Common is Low Testosterone?
Testosterone deficiency is a common condition, affecting between 4 and 5 million men each year. Approximately 40% of 40-year-old men have low testosterone. Its prominence rises about 1% with each additional year.
What are the symptoms of Low Testosterone?
Each man with low testosterone will experience different symptoms of varying intensity. They can appear suddenly or develop over time, making self-monitoring for them essential.
Men often disregard low-T symptoms, incorrectly dismissing them as inevitable. If you experience any of the following, talk to your physician to determine your testosterone levels.
- Loss of sexual desire/low sex drive (sometimes coupled with relationship strain)
- Decreased sperm production/sperm count
- Erectile dysfunction/impaired sexual function
- Body hair loss
- Altered mood and feelings of depression and irritation
- Diminished confidence and elevated stress
- Diminished vitality and increased fatigue
- A simultaneous loss of muscle mass and increase in body fat
- Decreased hemoglobin and mild anemia
- Difficulty concentrating and maintaining focus
What causes Low Testosterone?
There are several common causes of low testosterone, including:
Aging – Testosterone levels naturally decline with age. This is generally gradual, starting around age 30 or 40.
Injury or Infection – An injury to the testicles or a viral infection can cause a sudden drop in testosterone.
Tumors – Tumors of the pituitary gland or testicles can interfere with testosterone production.
Medications – Some medications, such as glucocorticoids used to treat conditions like arthritis and lupus, can lower testosterone levels.
Chronic Illness – Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and kidney disease, can compromise normal testosterone levels.
How We Treat Erectile Dysfunction
at Iron Mountain Men’s Health in Philadelphia
If we diagnose you with low testosterone, there are several treatment options available. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is the most common testosterone treatment. TRT involves taking synthetic testosterone in the form of injections, gels, patches, or pellets that are placed under the skin to address your low levels of testosterone.
