Androgen replacement therapy can increase the free testosterone level in men suffering a deficiency until symptoms improve. When you and your doctor are comfortable that your symptoms indicate andropause and that testosterone supplementation may be tried, you should decide on your goals for testosterone replacement therapy. The goals may differ from man to man and may include improvement in mood, sexual desire, physical stamina and performance, or general quality of life. Alternatively, they may involve improvements in physical condition or the prevention of decline in symptoms discovered during the exam such as osteoporosis, body composition and strength, or mental sharpness.
Changing the free testosterone level
Regardless of the goal, the free testosterone level in the blood will have to be raised until it's comparable to the lower normal limit seen in young men before many changes will occur. This may take several weeks, although certain symptoms of low testosterone may require less testosterone to be affected than others will. For example, improvements in mood and interest in sex may take a smaller increase in testosterone level than significant improvements to muscle strength or bone density.
Most studies suggest that a minimum of three months of testosterone treatment is necessary to see the complete benefit of supplemental testosterone. By this time, you should expect to feel better in a variety of ways.
Benefits of raising low testosterone level
Supplementing your testosterone may produce many benefits, most noticeably an overall feeling of increased energy and vitality. Many men report an increase in drive, ambition or even assertiveness, without becoming aggressive, and they generally say they feel happier and less irritable. Their families say they are easier to get along with and the men often feel they are coping with work stress better.
Physical changes that occur soon after testosterone treatment begins include an increase in the rate of hair growth, particularly on the chest and in the pubic area, and sometimes improvements in general hair and skin condition. Other men report an increase in penis size and an increase in genital sensitivity, which often corresponds with an increase in sexual activity and improvements in relationships with their partners. Although it's a subtle change, men report improvements in their moods, mostly a decrease in the episodes of depression they experience.
In summary, the benefits of supplementing testosterone in men found to have low testosterone levels prior to treatment, include:
- Increased interest in sex and increased frequency of spontaneous erections
- Restored erectile function in some men
- Improved mood with less depression, anger, fatigue, or mental confusion
- Enhanced masculine characteristics such as faster beard growth and an increase in pubic hair
- Increased muscle mass and strength as well as increased bone density
References
Brawer, Michael K., MD. Androgen Supplementation and Prostate Cancer Risk: Strategies for Pretherapy Assessment and Monitoring. Rev.Urol. 2003;5 (suppl 1):S29-S33.
Caruthers, Malcolm, MD. The Testosterone Revolution. London: Thorsons; 2001.
Heaton, Jeremy, P.W., MD. Hormone Treatments and Preventive Strategies in the Aging Male: Whom and When to Treat? Rev.Urol. 2003;5(suppl 1):S16-S21.
Matsumoto, Alvin M., MD. Fundamental Aspects of Hypogonadism in the Aging Male. Rev.Urol. 2003;5(suppl 1):S3-S10.
McCulloch, Andrew, MD. Case Scenarios in Androgen Deficiency. Rev.Urol. 2003;5(suppl 1):S41-S48.
Nieschlag, E., Behre, H.M., Nieschlag, S. Testosterone: Action, Deficiency, Substitution. Berlin: 1998.
Steidle, Christopher P., MD. New Advances in the Treatment of Hypogonadism in the Aging Male. Rev.Urol. 2003;5(suppl 1):S34-S40.
Notes
1. Matsumoto, Alvin M. Fundamental Aspects of Hypogonadism in the Aging Male. Urology. Vol. 5, Supplement 1. 2003;S3-10.
2. Morley, JE. J Gend Specif Med. 2001;4:49-53.
Posted February 2004
Updated August 2009
