Low testosterone, or low T, is a common condition that affects nearly 40% of men 45 and older. It can also affect women, but it’s less common and presents differently.
While many people with low T assume it’s just a side effect of getting older, that isn’t necessarily the case. Although it’s more common with age, there’s plenty you can do to feel better if your testosterone levels are low.
At Advanced Southern Westchester Medical in Yonkers, New York, experienced urologist Sherif S. El-Masry, MD, regularly treats low testosterone. Don’t let low T affect your life. Take a moment to understand why it occurs, common symptoms, and treatment options you can explore.
Low T, also known as hypogonadism, occurs when your testosterone levels decline. Testosterone is an essential sex hormone that plays an important role in various bodily processes, including building muscle, regulating energy levels, and supporting sex drive.
After age 30, many men experience a gradual decline in testosterone production. For some, this decline becomes more noticeable over time, leading to a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including:
Low T is most common in men 45 and older, but it can affect younger men and women, too. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist for several weeks or longer, we recommend undergoing a testosterone screening.
To diagnose low T, we review your health records and ask about your symptoms. Let us know when they first started and whether you’ve noticed them worsening over time. We complete a comprehensive physical exam and lab testing, including a blood test to measure your testosterone levels.
If your results confirm that your testosterone levels are abnormally low, we make custom treatment recommendations. It isn’t always possible to reverse low testosterone altogether, but medications and lifestyle changes can help stabilize testosterone levels, improve energy, and support a healthy sex drive.
We typically recommend a combination of lifestyle changes and testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to address low T. While everyone’s treatment plan varies, this often involves regular exercise, eating a balanced diet to support a healthy weight, and keeping a nightly routine that allows you to get seven to nine hours of sleep.
TRT uses testosterone injections, topical gels or creams, or implantable pellets designed to bring testosterone levels into a healthier range. When combined, these treatment strategies can help limit fatigue and depression, encourage a healthy libido, and even lower the risk of common age-related concerns such as weight gain.
During treatment, we regularly monitor your testosterone levels, adjusting your care plan as needed to ensure lasting results.
If you’ve noticed significant changes to your energy levels, mood, or sex drive, low testosterone may be to blame. A quick, in-office screening can assess your testosterone levels and help determine the best course of treatment.
Schedule an appointment by calling Advanced Southern Westchester Medical at 914-375-5700.
