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Testosterone replacement therapy for men: Can it really solve the midlife crisis, or does it pose dangerous risks?
As men age, their testosterone levels gradually decline, causing them to undergo a series of physical and psychological changes in midlife. To combat these changes, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for men has become increasingly popular in recent years. But is this treatment really effective at improving symptoms of midlife crisis, or is there any potential risk?
Testosterone replacement therapy is a treatment that supplements or replaces testosterone levels in men through injections, skin creams, patches, gels or pills.
Medical uses for men
TRT is mainly used to treat low testosterone (i.e. testicular insufficiency) in men. In addition to testosterone levels naturally declining with age, certain diseases or treatments can also cause a decrease in testosterone production. Additionally, studies have shown that this therapy can aid glycemic control in men with diabetes, but it is recommended that this therapy should not be initiated solely to improve metabolic control until symptoms of low testosterone are confirmed.
Medical uses for women
Although men are the primary users, in some cases women, especially those after menopause, may also use testosterone replacement therapy. This treatment can increase libido and prevent or treat osteoporosis. Even so, treatment in women requires caution because the associated risks and side effects are not fully understood.
In 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that the effectiveness and safety of treatments for age-related low testosterone levels had not been established.
Side effects: Risk of heart disease
The FDA launched an investigation in 2014 as a growing body of research pointed to testosterone replacement therapy potentially increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Multiple studies have shown increased heart attacks and death rates in men who use TRT. While there is no increased risk of cardiac events in the short term for men who win treatment for low testosterone, the long-term effects remain unknown.
Amid concerns about potential adverse cardiovascular outcomes, the FDA has begun reexamining the appropriateness and safety of testosterone replacement therapy.
Other side effects
In addition to heart disease, TRT may have adverse effects on certain health conditions, including accelerating the growth of existing prostate cancer, increasing the ratio of red blood cells in the blood, possibly requiring blood draws, and worsening sleep apnea. . Some studies suggest that men with certain comorbidities, such as metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease, may be more susceptible to adverse effects.
Before initiating therapy, it is recommended that doctors perform a rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level testing and monitor closely during treatment.
Method used
Testosterone replacement therapy can be administered in a variety of ways, including patches, oral medications, gels or intramuscular injections. The choice of these methods depends on personal needs and doctor's advice. No matter which method is chosen, patients should be under the guidance of a qualified medical professional.
Social and Cultural Impact
In some sports, particularly Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), athletes have been banned from competing due to their use of testosterone replacement therapy. This reflects social concerns about the ethical and health risks of testosterone replacement use. In the United States, TRT usage increased from 0.5% in 2002 to 3.2% in 2013, but then dropped to 1.7% in 2016.
Future research directions
Testosterone is currently being studied as a potential treatment for conditions including erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis, diabetes, chronic heart failure and dementia, but current evidence is still limited and further research is needed. to balance its benefits and risks.
Is testosterone replacement therapy really the best solution for men’s midlife crisis, or does it bring higher health risks?
