Many men with symptoms of low testosterone report increased energy, sexual drive and mood improvements after beginning hormone replacement therapy; however, many of the most popular administration methods such as intramuscular injection or gels may pose certain limitations.
An injection of testosterone may be administered to you by a medical practitioner or nurse, although you can learn how to give yourself shots at home as well.
Pellets
Hormone pellets are an innovative form of TRT that involves implanting small, rice-sized pellets under the skin – typically in the hip area – so they release a steady dose of testosterone into your system for months at a time, eliminating the need for gels or injections regularly.
Installation takes only minutes in our office under local anesthetic. Once we’ve cleaned and sterile-packed the insertion site, our doctor makes a small incision in your skin before using a tool to insert pellets. They are then covered with dressing and ready for use! Pellet therapy may cost more than gels or injections due to surgical procedure costs; however, many find it more economical due to savings in maintenance costs and time off work associated with weekly visits to receive injections or apply gels.
Testosterone pellets allow doctors to tailor doses according to each patient’s individual needs, unlike gels or oral medications which don’t offer this feature. Customization helps minimize side effects while improving quality of life for those choosing this treatment option.
Testosterone pellets may be beneficial to both men and women, though postmenopausal women have yet to be thoroughly investigated for its effects. As testosterone supplements may interfere with your body’s natural production of testosterone, it’s wise to consult a healthcare provider as to whether this treatment would be right for you.
Patches
Men produce testosterone in their testicles (testicles). Its purpose is to promote masculine traits like muscle mass and libido. As men age, testosterone production decreases naturally over time; when low levels are detected, doctors may suggest TRT therapy as a prescription treatment to restore levels.
There are various TRT options, from oral and injection gels, pellets and patches. Each works differently; for instance, one popular option is AndroDerm’s testosterone patch – it slowly releases testosterone over 24 hours without skin irritation; however it requires a different spot each time as you cannot reuse one spot twice.
Another alternative is applying a gel twice each day directly onto your nose, which releases small doses of testosterone through its mucous membrane and into your bloodstream. Unfortunately, however, this medication may lead to side effects like runny nose, sneezing, and congestion in some people.
Spray-like medication administered directly in the mouth provides similar effects as gum-and-cheek gel; it delivers low doses of testosterone through your buccal cavity area; however, it may lead to mouth and throat issues.
Testosterone, the primary male hormone, is essential to maintaining healthy bone density, muscle mass and sperm production. Unfortunately, testosterone may also cause certain side effects like gynecomastia and acne; to ensure safe use it’s important to discuss all possible benefits, risks and alternatives with your healthcare provider, taking into consideration your symptoms, medical history, plans for growing family size as well as tolerating side effects as much as possible.
Gels
Testosterone is the hormone responsible for masculine traits in men, and low levels can be reduced significantly in hypogonadism cases. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), using shots, patches or gels can restore low levels to normal and alleviate symptoms like fatigue and reduced libido.
TRT methods that are most frequently employed include testosterone patches and injections; however, not every patient may benefit from them due to lifestyle or medical considerations.
Some patients may not feel at ease with the needles involved with testosterone injections and may prefer less frequent administration approaches. Luckily, there are alternatives to testosterone injections which offer similar benefits at much lower costs – compounding pharmacies are expanding access to an enclomiphene citrate-based TRT solution which stimulates natural production rather than replacing exogenous testosterone hormone with external sources like injectable testosterone injections.
Enclomiphene’s main advantage lies in its rapid action; users don’t have to wait as long for their testosterone levels to increase, plus it’s cheaper and has less side effects than traditional TRT treatments.
Testosterone gels may also help increase testosterone levels in some people but may not be as effective due to regular application and risking skin-to-skin contact transferring the drug from person to person.
Finding the ideal TRT method requires taking into account factors like lifestyle, travel plans, comfort with self-administering and adaptability to change. Working closely with their physician will enable patients to recognize each treatment option’s advantages and disadvantages and make an informed decision that fits best into their unique circumstances.
Injections
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has long been considered the go-to remedy for treating low testosterone and hypogonadism, providing many advantages such as normalized levels and improved sexual function. Unfortunately, however, TRT also comes with risks and side effects which not every man is comfortable accepting.
Men with severe medical conditions who cannot take oral testosterone therapy or who experience adverse side effects with other TRT formulations may benefit from testosterone injections. These injections are administered directly into large muscles like buttocks or thighs and administered either in clinic or taught to self-inject at home; potential risks include gynecomastia, acne and testicular atrophy – although injections do not suppress spermatogenesis so these injections should not be used by men looking to maintain fertility or preserve spermatogenesis – making this option unsuitable for patients wanting to preserve fertility as well as those who wish to preserve fertility; additionally these should not be recommended by those at high risk for prostate cancer, polycythemia thrombophilia or those suffering severe heart failure as they could increase risks.
Therefore, men considering TRT should consult a hormone specialist from the outset. A practitioner will perform extensive hormone testing to identify any imbalances and help to determine an individual dose suitable to them. Hormone specialists typically monitor downstream hormones such as estrogen and dihydrotestosterone that increase risk of blood clots; accordingly they adjust dose accordingly in order to keep levels within safe limits.
TRT alternatives with injections are now available for men who cannot tolerate taking shots or who lack the time and commitment necessary for traditional TRT. There are even new medications which deliver testosterone directly into the liver via pill forms like Janatenzo, Tlando and Kyzatrex that may be more cost-effective and safer. Clinical trials have confirmed their efficacy.
Oral
There are two FDA-approved oral treatments for low testosterone levels: testosterone undecanoate (Jatenzo, Tlando) and methyltestosterone acetate (Andriol). Both can be absorbed through the lymph system without going through liver, but do not maintain steady blood levels; in fact they may increase risk factors such as polycythemia, sleep apnea, higher red blood cell counts that could contribute to blood clot formation and cause strokes if taken regularly with food (two pills are taken twice a day). Both should be taken two times a day with food for optimal effectiveness.
Another method for increasing testosterone levels with oral medication is progestogens. These pills mimic female hormone progestin and balance testosterone levels while helping regulate menstrual cycles and prevent precancerous growths in the uterus. Progestogens can be taken alone or alongside testosterone therapy regimens for maximum effectiveness.
Doctors sometimes use multiple therapies at the same time to treat low T. Depending on an individual’s goals, symptoms, and tolerance for side effects, different approaches may offer optimal results.
Prior to prescribing any type of testosterone replacement therapy, your physician will thoroughly review your medical history and perform several tests to assess your overall health. He or she will also need information about any medications (prescribed or over-the-counter) you currently take. Bupropion (an antidepressant) and phenytoin (a seizure medication), among others, may interact with certain testosterone medications and may need to be informed of any allergies or sensitivities in order for an informed medical decision. Additionally, your doctor must be made aware of any family history of prostate cancer as this could impact some types of testosterone therapy and possibly affect fertility negatively. Furthermore, discuss any plans you have for expanding your family as testosterone could impact fertility in this regard.
