Think You Might Have Low Testosterone? Here Are the Signs

Low testosterone is a common condition that men develop due to the natural aging process or because of underlying illness. However, because of the variety of symptoms low testosterone causes, it’s often misunderstood and misdiagnosed.

At Urology Specialist Group, the experienced urology team understands how low testosterone can affect your life. To help ease your symptoms and improve your overall quality of life, you can receive comprehensive, customized treatments to restore levels of testosterone.

Learn more about what low testosterone means for you and about the therapies available that provide long-term symptom relief.

The importance of testosterone

Testosterone is the male sex hormone that regulates sexual development and function. This hormone is made in the testicles and plays a vital role in sperm production. Testosterone is also responsible for:

• Muscle strength
• Deeper voice
• Facial and body hair

In puberty, testosterone levels are typically high, and the body produces plentiful amounts of the hormone for proper development. As you get older, your testosterone production begins slowing down and can lead to a deficiency known as low testosterone, or low-T, that impacts many aspects of men’s health.

Side effects of low testosterone

As your testosterone levels drop, you may experience a variety of side effects, some severe enough to interfere with your daily life. Some of the most common signs that you have low-T include:

• Chronic fatigue
• Reduced sex drive
• Erectile dysfunction
• Reduced muscle mass

Unbalanced testosterone levels can also interfere with your moods and mental health, triggering symptoms of depression, anxiety, and persistent irritability.

How to get help for symptoms of low testosterone

When symptoms of low testosterone affects your sexual health, relationships, or quality of life, the team at Urology Specialist Group recommend scheduling a diagnostic evaluation. They offer in-office blood testing that allows the urology specialists the opportunity to assess your testosterone levels and rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms.

Your urologist may also recommend other diagnostic tests to determine if the imbalance in testosterone relates to the natural aging process or because of another underlying health issue, such as a thyroid disorder or diabetes.

For many men, simply rebalancing the levels of testosterone in the body is a highly effective treatment for low-T symptoms. This process involves hormone replacement therapy that the Urology Specialist Group providers customize to your needs.

In testosterone replacement therapy, synthetic hormones that are structurally similar to your natural hormones are used to restore balance in testosterone levels. You may take the hormone therapy or opt for another type of delivery system, such as:

• Gels
• Patches
• Injections

Urology Specialist Group also offers replacement testosterone in the form of pellets. Your urologist places a hormone pellet just beneath the surface of your skin during a minor surgical procedure. The pellet delivers a steady stream of testosterone directly into your bloodstream.

To help you achieve maximum relief of low-T symptoms, your provider works closely with you during the initial weeks of therapy to determine the right delivery method and dosage of hormones you need. They also continue to monitor your treatment and ensure you remain symptom-free.

Additionally, the team at Urology Specialist Group offers resources to help you cope with the changes low testosterone has on your life, especially concerning your mental and sexual health. They can recommend lifestyle changes and professional counseling to enhance your quality of life, and help you rebuild your self-confidence and overall sense of well-being.

If you have symptoms related to low testosterone, schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Urology Specialist Group without delay. You can book an appointment online or by calling the office nearest you today.