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Testosterone Medications: A Comprehensive Guide

Testosterone plays a part in many functions in both the male and female bodies. As men and women age, their bodies produce less and less testosterone.

But how do you know if you need to boost your testosterone level?

In this blog post, we will take a look at the symptoms of low testosterone and different therapies to increase or replace testosterone.

How does a woman know if she has low testosterone?

The most common symptom of low testosterone in women is a loss of libido. You may also experience fatigue, depression, anxiety, or brain fog.

There are other potential symptoms as well, such as hot flashes or night sweats, osteoporosis, hair loss, and vaginal dryness.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to talk to your doctor. They can run some tests to see if your testosterone levels are indeed low.

How does a man know if he has low testosterone?

older man testosterone loss

The most common symptom of low testosterone in men is a loss of libido. You may also experience erectile dysfunction, fatigue, depression, anxiety, or brain fog.

There are other potential symptoms as well, such as hot flashes or night sweats, osteoporosis, hair loss, and testicular shrinkage.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to talk to your doctor. They can run some tests to see if your testosterone levels are indeed low.

What are the different therapies to increase or replace testosterone?

There are a few different therapies that can be used to increase or replace testosterone. The most common is testosterone replacement therapy, which can be done via injection, patch, gel, or dissolvable tablet.

There are also testosterone boosters, which are supplements that can help increase your testosterone levels. 

Why are there no pharmaceutical testosterone pills?

The answer to this is two-fold. First, testosterone is a hormone, and hormones are not typically taken in pill form because they are not easily absorbed by the body.

Second, testosterone pills can have serious side effects, such as liver damage.

There are rapid dissolving tablets (also called orally disintegrating tablets) or Troches that can be compounded with specific testosterone dosing in them.

These dissolve under your tongue or between your cheek and gum to safely give you the dose of testosterone required daily.

What is medical testosterone made from?

Most testosterone therapy is made from synthetic testosterone. This means that it is not identical to the testosterone that your body naturally produces.

We recommend bio-identical testosterone. This is testosterone that is identical to what your body produces. It is made in a laboratory from plant sources.

What classification is testosterone?

Testosterone is classified as a controlled substance. This means that it can only be prescribed by a licensed medical provider and dispensed by a pharmacy.

This also means that if you are prescribed testosterone to take daily, you will most likely need to show your ID at the pharmacy to pick up your medication.

What medications or supplements can I take to help with my low testosterone?

Most people need testosterone replacement therapy, however, there are also testosterone boosters, which are supplements that can help increase your testosterone levels. One of those supplements is DHEA.

DHEA is a hormone that the body uses to make testosterone. However, it’s important to talk to your doctor before taking any supplements, as they can interact with other medications you may be taking.

What lifestyle changes can I make to help with my low testosterone?

There are a few different lifestyle changes that can help with low testosterone in men or women. First, you can try to lose weight if you are overweight. Second, you can exercise regularly. Third, you can try to reduce stress in your life.

Lastly, you can make sure to get enough sleep each night. All of these things will help improve your overall health and well-being, which can in turn help increase your testosterone levels.

Which therapy is right for me?

The best way to figure out which therapy is right for you is to talk to your doctor. They can help you figure out if your testosterone levels are indeed low and then recommend the best course of treatment.

If you are prescribed testosterone replacement therapy, they will also be able to help you decide which delivery method is right for you. 

Here at Hormones by Design, we help both women and men with low testosterone. Call our newest location in New Braunfels, TX to make an appointment 830-627-7979. We are happy to help you!

 

Picture of  Dr. Melissa Miskell
Dr. Melissa Miskell