Other Things To Consider
In addition to these options, an oral pill form of testosterone undecanoate is available. The FDA approved it in March 2019. This medication comes with a black box warning that it may cause high blood pressure. The FDA has only approved this option for men with low testosterone secondary to a medical condition, not age-related. According to the FDA, the high blood pressure risk outweighs the benefits of treating age-related low T.
There are many options for administering testosterone. If you have symptoms of low testosterone, make an appointment with one of the medical specialists at Invigor Medical. They will evaluate your personal history and lab work and determine whether you are a candidate for testosterone replacement therapy.
While undergoing testosterone replacement therapy, it is essential to follow up with your doctor regularly for lab work and monitor any side effects you might be experiencing.
DISCLAIMER
While we strive to always provide accurate, current, and safe advice in all of our articles and guides, its important to stress that they are no substitute for medical advice from a doctor or healthcare provider. You should always consult a practicing professional who can diagnose your specific case. The content weve included in this guide is merely meant to be informational and does not constitute medical advice.
REFERENCES:
Bringing Wellness Back On The Track
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**Disclaimer: This content does not aim to provide any medical advice nor does it constitute or prescribe any doctor-patient relationship.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy And Heart Disease Risks
In the first study, Saad’s team looked at 95 men, aged 34 to 69, with low levels of testosterone.
All had metabolic syndrome. Those who have this diagnosis must have three of five risk factors: increased waist circumference, low “good” cholesterol or HDL, high triglycerides, elevated blood pressure, and elevated blood sugar.
“We treated them for at least a year,” he tells WebMD. Every three months, they measured cholesterol, waist circumference, and other parameters.
The testosterone replacement was given as a long-acting injection, every three months. The same product is not yet available in the U.S., Saad says, although other types are.
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Possible Side Effects Of Ais
The most common side effects of AIs are:
- Bone and joint pain
AIs tend to have side effects different from tamoxifen. They dont cause uterine cancers and very rarely cause blood clots. They can, however, cause muscle pain and joint stiffness and/or pain. The joint pain may be similar to a feeling of having arthritis in many different joints at one time. Options for treating this side effect include, stopping the AI and then switching to a different AI, taking a medicine called duloxetine , or routine exercise with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . But the muscle and joint pain has led some women to stop treatment. If this happens, most doctors recommend using tamoxifen to complete 5 to 10 years of hormone treatment.
Because AIs drastically lower the estrogen level in women after menopause, they can also cause bone thinning, sometimes leading to osteoporosis and even fractures. If you are taking an AI, your bone density may be tested regularly and you may also be given bisphosphonates or denosumab , to strengthen your bones.
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Weighing The Pros And Cons Of Hgh Replacement
- The many benefits of growth hormone therapy, far outweigh any of its potential risks.
- With professional guidance and medical supervision any risks or side effects associated with HGH injections are kept to a minimum.
- Choose wisely when choosing a doctor for HGH therapy. Pick one with a proven track record and years of experience.
When making any decision, particularly one involving a medical treatment or procedure, it is always best to weigh the pros and cons. It is no different with growth hormone therapy. When you take the time to look at the pros versus the cons of HGH replacement, you will find that for most people, the pros outweigh the cons.
Before we discuss the relative pros vs cons of growth hormone therapy, lets understand a little bit about human growth hormone, or HGH. HGH is a hormone. Like all hormones, it is a chemical messenger that controls, regulates, or stimulates bodily processes. HGH is primarily responsible for all the processes related to cellular growth and metabolism.
As such, it is HGH that triggers the many biological events that trigger the transition from childhood to adult. As you might imagine, that means when we are young our HGH levels are very high. Have you ever watched children play, and say to yourself, why cant someone find a way to bottle some of that energy? Someone has, and its called HGH replacement therapy!
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Sexual wellness issues
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Hormone Pellet Therapy Pros
#1. Easy to Use
Other hormone-balancing methods require taking medication on a daily or weekly basis. With hormone replacement therapy you only have to go through the procedure 2-4 times a year to maintain a regular hormone balance. And the entire procedure doesnt take more than 30 minutes.
#2. Regular Dosage
Hormone pellets deliver a physiologic, consistent, and stable amount of hormones over several months. This consistency helps you feel better, as it avoids the highs and lows that other administration methods induce.
The regular distribution of the hormone also eliminates the risk of error. When it comes to hormone balance pills, creams, and patches, you have to remember to take them, because even the smallest deviation from the scheduled dosage can mess up the results.
#3. Relief From Painful Symptoms
Some of the most major health benefits of using hormone pellets include:
- Relief from menopause symptoms such as migraines, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, and hot flashes.
- Increased sex drive and boost in libido for both men and women.
- Improved memory and concentration
- Decreases fat and controls hormonal weight gain
- Lowered risk for Alzheimers, Parkinsons, vision loss, cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, and numerous other diseases.
If youre unsure whether youre experiencing signs of a hormone imbalance, you can check out our guide on 27+ common hormonal imbalance symptoms to help identify them.
Testosterone Therapy And Sex
Ads for testosterone therapy or supplements promise better sex and a return to youthful vitality. Is this true? Are there risks? Find out. Testosterone and Sex
Your doctor may suggest a healthy diet and daily exercise to reduce your weight, control high blood sugar and/or diabetes, and raise your testosterone naturally. This, in turn, could improve your energy, libido, and general sense of well being. This approach to low T is also the way to overall good health, emphasizes Norman Blum, MD, physician and educator at the Pritikin Longevity Center.
If youre already in good shape and following a heart-healthy lifestyle like Pritikin, have a thorough discussion with your doctor, ideally, an endocrinologist, recommends Dr. Blum. Drugs are always a matter of weighing risks versus benefits. For some men with low T those with a low risk of heart disease and prostate cancer the possible benefits of testosterone therapy, such as increased bone density, a better libido, and less depression, may outweigh the risks.
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Seeing The Possible Disadvantages
Significantly few men may experience the signs of acne or swelling of the ankles. Some might also witness breathing disturbances while sleeping . However, the best clinics ensure safety and minimize the chances of risk factors. In short, the benefits outweigh the cons, enhancing the reliability of TRT in men.
Estrogen Side Effects And Risks
Hormone therapy isnt without its risks. In fact, hormone therapy isnt used as widely as it once was because research began revealing risks with long-term use, such as cancer and heart risks.
However, thanks to these studies, doctors and medical researchers have a better understanding of who will benefit most from estrogen therapy and who should try other treatments.
The risk factors and side effects associated with estrogen use include:
- Blood clots. Estrogen increases your risk of blood clots, which can cause a stroke, a heart attack, and even death.
- Cancer. Estrogen may increase your risk of certain cancers, specifically breast cancer. Talk with a doctor about your personal health history, your family history, and your risk of breast cancer.
- Birth irregularities. If youre using estrogen or hormone therapy and become pregnant, your pregnancy may end prematurely. If youre able to carry a pregnancy to full term, birth irregularities are common for babies born to people using estrogen.
- Dense breast tissue. People who take estrogen may develop dense breast tissue. Dense tissue makes reading mammograms harder, so identifying breast cancer in its early stages may be difficult.
Doctors typically prescribe estrogen-only medication if youve had a hysterectomy but still have your ovaries.
If you havent had a hysterectomy, youll usually receive a combination estrogen-progesterone medication. Thats because estrogen-only treatments increase your risk of endometrial cancer.
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Pros Of Testosterone Replacement
- Potential side effects, risks, or contraindications
- Weekly injections or daily topical administration
- Follow-up blood testing
How likely is it for testosterone replacement to actually work? In this case, adding in weekly testosterone shots or applying it topically will increase your levels. You will be able to see and feel the difference pretty quickly.
Adjustments to your dose may be needed in order to get your levels properly balanced. With time and continued treatment your complaints and symptoms will improve. Your physician should work with you to establish a long-term treatment plan.
Natural Ways To Increase Your Testosterone Levels
Some foods, vitamins, and herbs can help boost your testosterone levels. Be sure to talk to your doctor, if youre concerned about low testosterone. These alternative and natural treatments arent proven to be more, or as, effective as traditional testosterone therapy. Some may also interact with any medications you may be taking and cause unintended side effects.
| Herbs |
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What Are Bioidentical Hormones
Bioidentical hormones are processed hormones designed to mimic the hormones made by your bodys glands. Taking bioidentical hormones can help people who experience symptoms of low or unbalanced hormones. This is often the case for people experiencing symptoms of perimenopause or menopause.
Hormones are chemicals made by your endocrine glands. They are messengers that tell other parts of your body how and when to work. Hormones affect many systems and functions in your body. Even the slightest imbalance can cause symptoms that interfere with your day. Healthcare providers may recommend hormone replacement therapy as a treatment for these symptoms.
Bioidentical hormone therapy uses processed hormones that come from plants. Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone are the most commonly used bioidentical hormones.
Some prescription forms of bioidentical hormones are premade by drug companies. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved certain types of bioidentical hormones. Other forms of bioidentical hormones are custom-made by a pharmacist based on a healthcare provider’s prescription. These are compounded bioidentical hormones.
The compounded forms have not been tested and approved by the FDA. Though it is often advertised that products that are made from plants are “natural” choices, they are altered in a lab so are no longer natural when done with processing.
Conventional hormone therapy vs. bioidentical hormone therapy
Hormone Therapy For Breast Cancer Treatment At Home
Overview
Breastcancer is a type of cancer that develops in breast tissue. Some common signshelp you to identify that you are suffering from breast cancer are a lump inthe breast a change in breast shape, dimpling on the skin, fluid coming fromthe nipple, a newly inverted nipple, or a red or scaly patch of skin. Whilesuffering from prostate cancer you may also experience bone pain, swollen lymphnodded shortness of breath, or yellow skin.
Breastcancer risks factors for developing tumor include being female,obesity, a lack of physical exercise, and alcohols hormone replacement therapyduring menopause, ionizing radiation. Some other causes associated with womenbreast cancer is early menstruation or not having children at the right timeor getting pregnant late in life sometimes the family history of breast cancer also causes breast cancer.
There aremultiple medications are available for treatment but here we willdiscuss hormone therapy for breast cancer treatment.
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What Are The Risks Of Bioidentical Hormones
It has been shown in research studies that there are risks to taking hormones. It can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, and gallbladder disease. Your risk of heart disease and breast cancer may also increase if you are older or use hormonal therapy for an extended period. Many healthcare providers who use bioidentical hormones claim they are safer than traditional hormone therapy treatments. But there have been no large research studies of bioidentical hormones to show evidence of this.
Fat And Muscle Changes
Men generally have less body fat than women. This is partly related to testosterone, which regulates fat distribution and muscle maintenance in your body. With low T, youll likely notice an increase in body fat, especially around your midsection.
Your hormones also help regulate muscle growth. So, with low T, you may feel like youre losing muscle size or strength. However, this only occurs if your low T is prolonged and severe.
Testosterone shots can help regulate fat distribution, but you shouldnt expect significant weight changes from hormone therapy alone. As for muscle maintenance, testosterone therapy has been found to help increase muscle mass, but not strength.
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Who Should Be Offered Testosterone
Testosterone supplementation should only be considered in women who complain of low sexual desire after a biopsychosocial approach has excluded other causes such as relationship, psychological and medication related HSDD e.g. SSRIs/SNRIs. However, combined hormonal and psychosexual approaches may be beneficial in cases with mixed aetiologies.
What About The Potential Wider Benefits Of Testosterone
Randomised clinical trials of testosterone to date have not demonstrated the beneficial effects of testosterone therapy for cognition, mood, energy and musculoskeletal health. Further better designed studies are required with these health issues as primary outcome measures as some individuals report improvement of these symptoms. Until these data are available, the primary indication for testosterone should therefore be for HSDD following a biopsychosocial approach.
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How Can Hormone Therapy Improve Concerns In Men
Andropause, which is the male equivalent of menopause, usually begins around age 50. It is easier to miss signs of hormone deficiency in men, which is why this condition is not as widely discussed. However, men can experience mood swings, depression, fatigue, weight gain, and memory loss due to hormonal imbalance. They may also develop erectile dysfunction and lose confidence in their sexual performance as their testosterone levels plummet.
Hormone therapy helps boost testosterone levels during and after andropause, resulting in a healthier aging process and preventing hormone deficiency. Men who have hormone therapy can often lose weight more easily, have higher energy levels, and experience improved sex drive and performance during treatment. They may also be less likely to experience mood swings. Finally, hormone therapy can prevent some men from experiencing thinning hair and hair loss.
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators
Selective estrogen receptor modulators including tamoxifen , raloxifene and toremifene selectively block estrogen from certain tissues, namely the breast, while increasing its availability in other areas such as the bones.
When and why theyre used: Doctors may recommend SERMs after surgery for early ER-positive breast cancer in men or women, to reduce the chances that it recurs. Theyre also approved to treat advanced breast cancer, and may be used to prevent breast cancer in high-risk individuals. Toremifene is only approved for advanced stage breast cancer that has spread.
Risks: In addition to more common side effects of hormone therapy such as hot flashes, tamoxifen risks may include blood clots, stroke, bone loss, mood changes, depression and loss of sex drive. Men who take tamoxifen may experience headaches, nausea, vomiting, rashes, impotence and loss of sex drive. Raloxifene may increase a patients chances of having a stroke or developing potentially fatal blood clots in the lungs or legs. Fortunately, these side effects are considered relatively rare. Have your doctor explain the potential side effects associated with each SERM when discussing the pros and cons of these medications with you.
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What Are Some Common Signs Of Hormone Deficiency
If you have a hormone deficiency, there are a number of side effects you may experience. Most adults who experience a hormone deficiency are currently in the midst of andropause or menopause or have already gone through these aging processes. The physical symptoms of deficiency can include sleeping issues, chronic fatigue, bone density loss, skin dryness, hair thinning and loss, and unexplained weight gain.
In women, hormone deficiency can cause vaginal dryness, while men may experience erectile dysfunction. Sex drive typically decreases in both genders. In addition to physical symptoms, there are mental and emotional concerns associated with hormone imbalance.
Many patients report feeling more anxious, depressed, and prone to mood swings. They may also experience memory loss, forgetfulness, and a general feeling of confusion or brain fog, which can affect their daily responsibilities and interactions and make them feel discouraged as the aging process continues.
Determining The Right Breast Cancer Treatment For You
Many factors go into determining the right breast cancer treatment for your condition. These include the size of your tumor, the stage and type of breast cancer you have, an assessment of the genes that may be associated with your cancer, your age, whether cancer has spread to other parts of your body, and your risk for recurrence. Tests will determine if your breast cancer is hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-positive , or triple-negative.
The sequence of treatments is determined by your treatment team and can include a lumpectomy or mastectomy, medical treatment, and radiation treatment. Medical treatments can include chemotherapy, hormone therapy which blocks hormones such as estrogen or progesterone that promote the growth of cancer cells and targeted therapies, which tell the bodys immune system to target and destroy certain breast cancer cells.
Your medical oncologist will help you weigh the pros and cons of each treatment option to help guide your decision.
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