Would life be better if only you didn't have "low T"? With more people moving into their senior years, you often hear about solutions for the supposed problems of low testosterone, which may decline as men grow older. The implication is that boosting this hormone would add zing to your life. But as with all hormone therapy, adjusting testosterone levels is complex, and can have side effects.
About Hormones
Certain glands, including the pituitary gland, thyroid, ovaries and testes, produce chemicals called hormones that help regulate bodily functions. Hormones play a role in processes such as growth, puberty and reproduction. In men, testosterone is a key hormone that's involved not only in sex drive and sperm production but in other factors such as bone and muscle mass and producing red blood cells. Women also produce testosterone, but in smaller amounts.
Testosterone Levels
Although most men produce less testosterone as they age, the levels can vary considerably from person to person. According to the National Institute on Aging, there is no evidence for the popular notion of a "male menopause" similar to what women experience as they grow older. The Merck Manual states that some men in their 70s have testosterone levels equal to those of other men in their 30s. And a problem like erectile dysfunction might be blamed on low testosterone when it really has another cause, such as poor circulation, the NIA advises.
Deficiency
Even when your testosterone is on the decline, you might not notice any problems. However, the MayoClinic.com advises that for some men, low testosterone may cause symptoms such as reduced sexual desire, infertility, insomnia, depression, and decreased motivation, energy and confidence It also may contribute to physical changes including more body fat, less muscle strength, swollen breasts and hair loss. A blood test is the only way to measure testosterone levels, MayoClinic.com notes.
Therapy
Testosterone therapy is not a "fountain of youth" solution for men who are simply growing older, according to the NIA. But it can benefit men whose bodies make little or none of the hormone. Testosterone -- taken in a pill, injection, gel or patch -- can help maintain strength in their bones and muscles and boost their sex drive.
Warnings
Testosterone can have side effects if you try it just to feel younger. Possible side effects include sleep apnea, which halts your breathing during sleep; production of too many red blood cells, which can raise the risk of heart disease; acne or other skin problems; enlarged breasts; decreased sperm production and shrunken testicles. The Merck Manual warns that the "most worrisome" possible side effect is worsening of prostate ailments, including prostate cancer and benign prostate enlargement.
Considerations for Women
Testosterone therapy sometimes is prescribed for women, although its long-term safety in women has not been established. According to MayoClinic.com, testosterone may be helpful for some women if estrogen therapy has not alleviated post-menopause problems including reduced sex drive, depression and fatigue.The American Academy of Family Physicians' position is that testosterone therapy for women threatens serious side effects and is "probably not worth the risk."
