What You Need To Know Before Getting TRT?

You might be relieved if you've been told you've got low testosterone. You now have a better understanding of what's causing your low sex drive, constant fatigue, and downcast mood. If a drop in testosterone isn't caused by an underlying condition, testosterone replacement therapy is the next step.

So, what do you have to look forward to? Here's what you need to know, according to Ali Dabaja, M.D., a urologist and expert in reproductive medicine and sexual health

• Recognize the dangers and side effects.

There is no proof that testosterone replacement therapy causes prostate cancer. However, you should consult your physician about the potential side effects of TRT, which include:

• • Acne
  • Baldness in men is a common occurrence.
  • Enlargement of the breasts
  • Prostate enlargement
  • Urination problems
  • Sperm production is down.
• Your red blood cells and PSA will be monitored by doctors.

Prior to starting treatment, your doctor should check your PSA and red blood cell levels. This is significant because testosterone replacement therapy has the potential to cause an unhealthy increase in red blood cells.

• Testosterone therapy may make it more difficult to have children.

If you plan on having children in the near future, you should think twice about starting low T treatment. Testosterone replacement therapy can lower sperm production and lower the quality of sperm. This unfortunate side effect can last for months or even years after you stop taking the medication, so make sure you tell your doctor if you're experiencing it.

• Choose the best treatment option with the help of your doctor.

Will you forget to take your medication on a regular basis? Do you want to stay away from injections? Consider the answers to these questions and discuss them with your doctor. Testosterone replacement therapy is available in a variety of forms, including patches, gels, and injections, so choose the one that is right for you.

Within three to six months, you may notice a difference.

• The length of time it takes testosterone treatments to work varies according to research. 

Remember that treating low testosterone is a long-term process, so your low T symptoms might not go away right away. That isn't to say the treatment isn't effective.

• Expect to see your doctor again.

You'll need to see your doctor on a regular basis to have your blood and testosterone levels checked once you start testosterone replacement therapy. For the first year, most men see their doctor every three months, then every six months if they're in good health.

WHAT AGE SHOULD YOU START?

TRT is usually given to older men in their early 50s as this is when you start to notice the effects of decreasing testosterone levels. It’s a good age to start treatment as the decline is only just beginning, and so you won’t have as many effects as someone in their 60s or even their 70s.

However, men who start to see a decline earlier in their life (in their 30s, for example) may need to start treatment in their 40s. It’s best to speak with your doctor and undergo a full assessment so that you can keep track of your testosterone levels.