It is important to understand what has caused testosterone deficiency as correcting some underlying conditions may reverse the situation without the need for testosterone treatment. If treatment is required, many testosterone preparations now exist and formulations include gels, patches, capsules, lozenges, injections and implants.
If there are no contraindications to treatment, the andropause can be managed with testosterone replacement therapy. Treatment aims to restore testosterone levels to normal and has been shown to increase muscle strength, improve bone composition and improve mood, sense of well-being and sexual functioning and desire. Improvements have also been seen in cholesterol and blood sugar levels and other coronary disease risk factors.
Although testosterone replacement therapy has not been shown to cause or induce prostate cancer, it may aggravate a pre-existing cancer and therefore it is important to exclude prostate cancer before starting treatment. This can be done by clinical examination and taking a blood sample to test for prostate specific antigen (PSA), a substance in the blood which can help to identify the presence of prostate cancer and other prostate disorders.
If testosterone replacement therapy is started, it is important to have regular follow-ups which should include checks on blood levels of testosterone, blood cell counts, PSA levels and prostate health.
No man suffering from the andropause is too old to start testosterone treatment and benefits to body and mind usually appear within a few weeks.
