Guys, have you noticed you just don’t seem the have the energy and libido you used to? You’re not alone. Men over the age of 40 notice a drop in their testosterone hormone levels and often go through a weird time in their life called male menopause. This is why men like you often turn to testosterone replacement therapy.
What is Low T?
Testosterone is the male hormone responsible for sperm production and sexual function. It also helps maintain muscle mass and healthy bone density. When these natural male hormone levels begin to drop, a condition called “Low T” develops.
Symptoms of Low T

• Loss of Interest in Sex

Low libido is one of the first signs of depleted testosterone hormone levels in men.

• Impotence

Erectile dysfunction is another common signs of low T.

• Inability to Achieve Orgasm

This is one of the most frustrating factors of low testosterone levels.

• Loss of Feeling in Genitals

Your genitals may feel different to you during masturbation or sexual intercourse. It doesn’t mean your sexual organs will be completely numb but they just won’t feel the same. If you’ve noticed this, breathe a sigh of relief. It’s not in your head.

• Low Sperm Volume

Low testosterone can lead to low sperm volume and infertility.

• Testicular Shrinkage

If your testicles have felt a little smaller or softer lately, you’re not losing your mind. This is just another side effect of low T.

• Fatigue

Fluctuating hormones can also lead to fatigue. It may seem that one day you just sat down on the couch and never got up again.

• Changes in Mood

Have you been snapping at your friends lately? Can’t seem to focus on your work? Changes in mood are common for men with low T.

• Loss of Muscle Mass

In addition to testicular shrinkage, you may notice some loss of muscle mass in your chest, arms, and legs.

• Weight Gain and Male Breast Growth

Just when you’re noticing shrinkage in the right places, you might notice some gain in others. Say, around your middle and breasts?
Cause of Low Testosterone Hormone Levels
Most men think that low T is just a result of getting older but plenty of men under 35 notice these same symptoms. Here are some other causes of low testosterone:

• Injuries to Scrotum – Testicular injury is a common cause of low testosterone in younger men.

• Medications – If you’re taking any type of opioid medication for pain or depression, you’re at risk for low T.

• Obesity – The more fat cells a man has, the more of his testosterone is turned into estrogen, a female hormone. While men do need some of this hormone to maintain bone density, too much of it can lead to low T.

• Steroid Use – Anabolic steroids may bulk up your chest and arms but they’ll shrink some parts down south.

• Inflammatory Disease – Men with HIV/AIDS or other autoimmune conditions may also develop low T due to chronic inflammation.

• Head Trauma – Head trauma can affect the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, contributing to chronic low testosterone levels.

• Infection – Meningitis, mumps, and syphilis can cause low T levels.

• Too Much Iron in Blood – Hemochromatosis is a blood condition that causes damage to your testes and pituitary gland.

• Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy –These cancer treatments damage the cells in the testes that make testosterone.

Types of Low T Therapy
Low T therapy comes in three basic types: Creams and gels, pills, and injections.

• Creams and Gels

Gels and creams are commonly used as an introductory testosterone replacement treatment. The benefits of this type of therapy is the effects are usually felt quite quickly and it is reasonably well-tolerated by most men. The drawback to this type of low T therapy is it is very important men do not accidentally get any of it on their wife or children as it might cause adverse side effects.

• Pills

Testosterone pills are another common method of delivering testosterone into your body. Some men avoid this TRT method because it can wreck havoc on the liver. Ask your doctor for more information.

• Injections

This low testosterone treatment formula is preferred by many guys. The first couple of injections are given at the doctor’s office to get you started and then you can inject at home. This method bypasses the liver and does not have to be used every day. Injections every 5-10 days are the common dosage for most men.

Health Benefits of Low Testosterone Therapy
After starting testosterone replacement therapy, most men notice an increase in their libido and sexual stamina. They may also notice an improvement in their mood and physical strength. Other health benefits of low T therapy include weight loss, lowered cholesterol, and increased bone density.
Side Effects of Testosterone Replacement Therapy
If you’ve ever had testicular cancer or breast cancer, you are not a candidate for testosterone replacement therapy. Even if you’ve never had these health problems, there are still some side effects of testosterone therapy to consider:

• Infertility – This isn’t usually a concern for older men looking to combat the side effects of low T. However, younger men who want to start a family should consider having their sperm “banked” before starting a therapy regimen.

• Liver Toxicity – This is especially an issue for men who use oral testosterone.

• Fluid Retention – Worsening high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and leg and ankle swelling are also a serious side effect of testosterone replacement therapy.

• Prostate Growth – For men already dealing with prostate problems,TRT may not be the way to go as it can contribute to benign prostatic hypertrophy or BPH.

• Breast Tenderness – This can usually be relieved by adjusting testosterone dosage.

• Increased Red Blood Cell Concentration – This side effect can be especially dangerous for older men as it increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and deep venous thrombosis. Men can decrease this risk by donating blood and decreasing their TRT dosage.

• Sleep Apnea – This condition causes the patient to stop breathing for short periods of time during sleep.

It’s not easy for a guy to realize he’s getting a little older. Things start changing so fast it’s hard to keep up. If you’re concerned about your low testosterone levels, talk to your doctor about testosterone replacement therapy and get your confidence back!