Male Testosterone Therapy 

On average, men lose around 1% of their body’s total testosterone every year after turning 30. Low male hormones can cause a variety of problems in an adult man, and low hormone levels may happen for a variety of reasons.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has proven to be an effective way for men to address the many symptoms of hormonal imbalance. Discover how to recognize the symptoms of hormonal imbalance, and what you can do to address those symptoms so you can get back to having more energy and greater vitality.

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Low Testosterone in Men

Men may have low testosterone for a variety of reasons. Some men are simply born with testosterone levels that are lower than average.


Older men have lower testosterone levels due to the fact that men lose some testosterone as they age. Older men may also be more likely to have health problems that affect hormones.

How Common is Low Testosterone in Men?

Low testosterone in men is more common than you might expect. This is because many men have low testosterone levels without even knowing it. Experts also debate the definition of what constitutes “low testosterone levels”. Yet, it has been estimated that roughly 4 out of 10 men over the age of 40 have low or diminished levels of testosterone.


Insurance companies typically do not acknowledge low testosterone unless a man's level is less than 300. However, studies show that levels less than 900 greatly increase the risk of multiple chronic diseases.

Causes of Low T  in Men

Low testosterone, also known as hypogonadism, can be broken down into two categories: primary and secondary. 


Primary hypogonadism is when the testes do not produce adequate amounts of testosterone. The causes of primary hypogonadism can range from congenital conditions like Klinefelter’s syndrome to testicle injuries, use of anabolic steroids, and some types of tumors.


Secondary hypogonadism describes low testosterone that occurs as a result of conditions or issues with the pituitary glands. Secondary hypogonadism can also come from congenital conditions or be acquired later in life. Some of the most common acquired causes include kidney failure, chronic alcohol abuse, cirrhosis of the liver, unchecked diabetes and even obesity. In fact, many experts believe that there is a strong connection between obesity and low testosterone.


The type of low testosterone that is often tied to the natural aging process is known as late-onset hypogonadism (LOH). LOH is also more likely in aging men who are overweight.

Symptoms of Low T in Men

Low testosterone can result in a wide variety of debilitating symptoms in men, including:

  • Low sex drive
  • Loss of motivation
  • Feeling "past your prime"
  • Erectile dysfunction (ED)
  • Enlarged breast tissue (gynecomastia)
  • Hot flashes
  • Increased body fat
  • Mood swings and depressed mood
  • Decreased muscle mass
  • Memory loss and cognitive decline
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Long-Term Health Risks of Low Testosterone in Men

There are many long-term health risks that may occur when low testosterone levels are not treated. For one, men with low testosterone levels are more likely to gain weight and develop weak muscles. Chronic weight gain and obesity can lead to a number of cardiovascular issues and increase the risk of diabetes.


Men with low testosterone levels are also more likely to develop weak bones. They can even develop osteoporosis, which is a serious condition that weakens the bones and increases the risk of fractures.

Erectile Dysfunction in Men

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is characterized by the inability to maintain or achieve an erection. It is often the result of other physiological or psychological issues that should not go unaddressed.



ED may be a sign of a hormone imbalance, heart, blood vessel or kidney disease.

How Common is Erectile Dysfunction?

ED is a relatively common problem. Around 30 million men in the United States suffer from it. 


It tends to be more common in older men. However, it sometimes occurs in young men. 

Causes and Symptoms of ED

ED is generally caused by poor blood flow to the penis. Low testosterone may also play a role in erectile dysfunction.



The primary symptom is the inability to reach an erection or sustain an erection for sexual intercourse.


Achievement of an erection is an important part of male sexual health. Whether psychological or physiological, men should seek treatment to avoid long-term risks of disease, impaired relationships, and more.

Long-Term Health Risks of ED

The main risk of ED is that it may be a symptom of a more serious condition, such atherosclerosis, heart disease, kidney disease, or type 2 diabetes.


Also, it can ruin a man’s sexual relationship with his partner. This can be difficult on a psychological level as well.

Creams and Gels

Creams and gels have the benefit of being easy to use. However, creams and gels require daily application–sometimes two to three times per day.


Creams and gels can be messy and result in inconsistent dosing if the cream or gel fails to absorb properly, is rubbed off or a dose is missed or forgotten. This can impact the effectiveness of the therapy.


Creams and gels also carry the risk of transferring hormones to anyone who comes in contact with them, even if that means just brushing up against the medication by accident. This can be dangerous for kids, pets, and partners.

Injections

Injections provide immediate effects, and require Biweekly administration. In some cases, your practitioner will administer the injection or you may be provided with a home kit and detailed instructions. 


Improper injection practices can have a negative impact. The most common side effects of injections include bruising, pain, and scar tissue at the injection site.


Injections also typically cause “rollercoaster” dosing. The patient may experience intense symptom relief in the period immediately following the injection with dwindling and sometime severe drop off at the end of each treatment cycle.

Pellets

Pellets are hormones compounded into tiny rice-like capsules that are implanted under the skin during a short procedure at your provider’s office. 


Pellets are very convenient because you don’t have to remember to take a pill each day, slather on a cream, or properly time an injection.


Much like your natural hormones, pellets provide a steady flow of hormones throughout the treatment cycle, which is between 3 and 6 months depending on your cardiac output, dosing, and gender.


Pellets are often the preferred method of HRT for both patients and providers.

Male Hormone Therapy FAQ

  • What are the signs of testosterone deficiency?

    Physical changes can include decreased muscle mass and strength, low blood count (anemia), weakness, increased body fat, fatigue, and insulin resistance.  Mental changes that can occur include depressed mood, decreased energy and sense of well-being, and impaired cognition and memory. Sexual dysfunction changes include low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, difficulty achieving orgasm, and decreased spontaneous erections. 

  • Do testosterone levels go down with age?

    Blood levels of testosterone concentrations decline gradually throughout life at a rate of approximately 1% each year.


    Wu FCW et al. J Clin Endocrin Metab 93(7): 2737-2745 (2008

    Bhasin S. J. Clin.Endocrinol. Metab. 96:2430–39.

    Harman SM, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 86:724–31. W

  • What does testosterone therapy do to body composition?

    Testosterone therapy is associated with increased lean body mass, reduced fat mass, reduced body weight, and a smaller waist. 

  • Can testosterone reduce the risk of diabetes in men?

    Men with lower T concentrations are at risk of developing metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. T treatment for 2 years reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes in men at high risk by 40%, beyond the effects of a lifestyle intervention. 


    Yeap B and Wittert G. Endocrinol Metab Clin N Am 51 (2022) 157–172

  • If I lose weight, will my testosterone go up naturally?

    It may. Men who are overweight or have metabolic syndrome or Type 2 diabetes are likely to have lower testosterone concentrations compared with other men. Reducing excess weight can improve natural testosterone concentration in obese men. 

  • What is the impact of testosterone therapy on overall health?

    Testosterone has been shown to improve all aspects of sexual function, improvement in walking distance, improvement in mood and depression, improvement in hemoglobin and correction of anemia of both known and unknown causes, and increase bone mineral density and estimated bone strength, with no increased cardiovascular or prostate cancer risk.


    Snyder et al., Endocrine Reviews 39: 369 – 386, 2018 

  • What forms of testosterone do you offer?

    At Solid Wellness in Westfield, we offer injectable, topical, and pellet insertion. 

  • Is testosterone therapy a “lifelong commitment”?

    Testosterone therapy is not a lifelong commitment. Here at Solid Wellness in Westfield, testosterone therapy is used for symptom relief. Testosterone therapy with injections and topical cream can start to show benefits within 3 to 6 months, but it may take as long as 12 months to see full benefits. Symptom relief may be seen as soon as 4 weeks with pellet insertion. However, the full benefits of pellet testosterone therapy may not be seen until 6 to 8 months.

  • Is testosterone therapy for men and women?

    Although often thought of as a male hormone, testosterone is essential for both men and women. Here at Solid Wellness in Westfield, we treat both men and women suffering from testosterone deficiency. 

  • If I am already on testosterone pellets from another provider, can I switch to your office?

    Yes! We offer Evexipel pellets, which are superior to other pellets on the market. Often, our patients find the Evexipel method to be pain-free with less bruising than other pellets. Evexipel pellets also contain a small amount of triamcinolone, which significantly reduces scar tissue. If you are ready to experience a superior pellet product and method, we will need to know your last pellet insertion date, brand of pellets, and your most recent blood work on pellets. You will need to make an appointment with one of our providers at Solid Wellness in Westfield so we can get to know you and make sure we meet your needs. You can find more information about our superior pellet therapy at https://www.evexias.com/evexipel-pellet-therapy.

  • Will testosterone reduce my sperm count?

    Yes, men actively trying to conceive should not be placed on Testosterone therapy. Testosterone therapy will lower your sperm count. If you are on testosterone therapy, and you choose to stop, your sperm count will recover to an extent over an average of 6 months. We do not recommend testosterone therapy to men who have not completed their families.



    WHO Task Force, Lancet, 336:955-959,1990.

Prostate Health FAQ

  • Does Testosterone therapy cause Prostate Cancer?

    Here at Solid Wellness in Westfield, we take this very seriously. This answer is NO. Testosterone therapy is not associated with an increase in prostate cancer. A meta-analysis of 22 random control trials of 2351 men showed no difference in prostate cancer rates for men who received testosterone therapy vs placebo. 



    Cui et al, Pros Canc Pros Dis 2014



    Another study, called the TRAVERSE trial, showed that testosterone therapy does not increase the risk of prostate cancer, does not increase the risk of high-grade prostate cancer, and does not worsen urination symptoms. 



    Bhasin S et al, JAMA Netw Open 2023;6(12): e2348692 

  • Can testosterone therapy reduce the rate of Prostate Cancer?

    In a study conducted with 10,311 men treated with testosterone and 28029 untreated (control group) over a period of 5 years, results showed that the longer a man was on testosterone therapy, the lower his risk of prostate cancer. 



    Wallis et al Lancet Diab Endocrin 2016

  • Will testosterone therapy increase my PSA?

    PSA concentrations are androgen (Testosterone) dependent. The PSA concentration is completely saturated with Testosterone at 250ng/dl. Although Testosterone therapy may appear to cause PSA to rise, more accurately, low T concentrations lower serum PSA. Testosterone therapy normalizes PSA. 

Hormone Imbalance in Men

  • How are Hormonal Imbalances in Men Diagnosed?

    Generally, symptoms begin to compile, leading to impaired function or discomfort. A hormone imbalance is often confirmed and diagnosed through a consultation with a qualified practitioner and lab tests.


    If the tests show abnormal hormone levels, you may be diagnosed with a hormonal imbalance.

  • How are Hormonal Imbalances in Men Treated?

    Hormonal imbalances are often treated with hormone therapy, nutraceuticals, and a balanced, healthy lifestyle that includes routine fitness, proper nutrition, and maintaining a healthy weight. When hormone levels are optimized, men experience increased energy, improved mood, quality sleep, and other benefits that make it easier to enjoy a higher quality of life and pursue a healthier lifestyle.

  • Hormone Therapy for Men: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

    Low testosterone is the most common hormonal imbalance in men. However, thyroid disorder is another common imbalance. Men who are experiencing symptoms that are impacting quality of life, relationships, and health should seek treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. Hormone replacement therapy is an effective treatment option.

  • What are the Different HRT Delivery Methods?

    There are a variety of hormone therapy delivery methods. You can select the option that best suits your lifestyle and delivers optimal results. Your practitioner can review the various options and make recommendations as part of your treatment plan.

Certified Evexi Pel the Patient Choice Provider | Westfield, IN | Solid Wellness

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