TRT and Testosterone: Unpacking Myths and Truths of Male Hormonal Cycles

Unlike women who go through a hormonal cycle every month, men go through a hormonal cycle every twenty-four hours.  Men have about ten times more testosterone than women, and even though men also make estrogen and progesterone, they make it in much smaller amounts.  The male hormonal cycle is affected by how much testosterone is in their bodies at any given time.

Generally, a man’s testosterone levels are highest in the morning hours. This is the best time for him to start a major project, have passionate sex, and complete tasks that involve spatial skills. He will generally be more talkative, energetic, focused, competitive, able to work on a project alone, and yes, generally be more aggressive.  The afternoon is usually the middle of a man’s testosterone cycle.  While he will still be energetic and focused, the afternoon is a better time for him to work on group projects as he should be a bit more laid-back and less aggressive. The evening is when most a man’s testosterone levels are at their lowest.  He will generally be more passive, more agreeable, and have a lower libido which may allow him to enjoy lovemaking more slowly and more fully.  Men who want a pick-me-up in the evening usually exercise, participate in a low-key sport, like biking or softball, or participate in an artistic activity like playing an instrument.

A man’s testosterone cycle can vary because, unlike a woman’s hormonal cycle, it is easily affected by the events around him.  His testosterone levels can rise when watching a sporting event only to fall if his favorite team loses which may make him irritable and difficult to get along with.  Some of the other factors that can also cause testosterone levels to rise or fall are:

  • age, because a man’s testosterone levels naturally start to fall around the age of thirty,
  • changes in diet or weight,
  • stress and anxiety,
  • lack of restful sleep.

Low testosterone levels can cause a multitude of problems such as fatigue, depression, loss of muscle mass, low libido,  and low self-esteem.  Unfortunately, many men choose to live with these conditions because they have read or been told negative information about testosterone replacement therapy. Any medical treatment can have risks or side effects but these risks are minimized or non-existent with proper testing and consulting to ensure a patient is on the right dosage and proper TRT plan.  Patients on TRT must have regular blood tests to monitor testosterone levels, their prostate, and red blood cell count.

Dated studies have scared many men away from TRT because these old studies linked cardiovascular risks to TRT.  Newer studies, according to the American Heart Association, indicate that having optimal levels of testosterone do not increase cardiovascular risk while having low levels of testosterone does.  Having an optimal level of testosterone improves cardiovascular health by inducing nitric oxide production in coronary arteries and by improving calcium levels and myocardial contractions.  Both of these factors improve the delivery of and quality of the oxygen that is needed by the heart.

Another myth about TRT has linked it to an increased risk of getting prostate cancer.  Men over the age of fifty will have higher levels of PSAs in their blood.  PSA, or prostate specific antigen, is produced by cancerous and non-cancerous tissue in the male prostate.  Having optimal levels of testosterone from TRT has not been shown to have a link to an increased risk of prostate cancer; however, men who have prostate cancer along with low levels of testosterone have been associated with adverse prognostic features such as developing a higher stage of cancer and a decreased survival rate.

Another common myth about TRT is that it will make a man’s penis smaller.  TRT will not make a man’s penis smaller, but it may help the penis reach and maintain an erection because of a better blood flow which is a result of receiving TRT.

Probably the biggest myth out there is that TRT will cause “roid rage.”  The TRT and testosterone being used today by trained medical specialists is not at all like anabolic steroids and black-market drugs of unknown content that were available in the past and that can still be obtained through unscrupulous individuals.  Today’s TRT is usually a bioidentical compound made from plants that works in the body exactly like naturally produced testosterone.  Optimizing the testosterone available to your body with a bioidentical testosterone is a life changer for men who are suffering with depression, lack of energy, low body esteem, and a multitude of other problems which are caused by low testosterone levels.

If you are wondering whether or not TRT is right for you, the first step is to consult with a medical professional you can trust who has been trained in hormone replacement therapy, like those individuals at Androgenix.  They will help you develop a plan for a healthier lifestyle which includes an exercise plan, a healthy diet of fresh foods, ways to overcome and manage stress, and a commitment to avoid or limit alcohol, and to avoid tobacco or drug use.  After taking a complete personal history, completing a physical examination, and completing blood work and any other needed tests, your health care professional will be able to discuss if you are a good candidate of TRT.

How Androgenix Can Help

If you wonder whether testosterone therapy might be right for you, talk with our staff and doctor about the risks and benefits. If you are suffering from any of the above symptoms or have any other concerns about your health, please contact our office and make an appointment with our staff and visit our office to get complete blood work and a physical examination.  You will be monitored by our team for treatment effectiveness and side effects on a regular basis.

The team at Androgenix are here to support you in your journey for a better, healthier you. Our staff of caring healthcare practitioners will help diagnose and develop an appropriate treatment plan for you.  Every person who enters our doors is treated as an individual deserving of care and respect.  We can help you feel and look better.  Give us a call today.

 

 

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*Unless otherwise stated, individual results may vary depending on many factors not all patients “feel” or achieve the same results.