Are you a Girlie Man?

Ever wondered what makes men different than women? The answer is whole lot of testosterone – the master male sex hormone. While testosterone is essential to women's sexuality as well, this crucial hormone helps to carry out a variety of functions in the male body. As men age, hormones begin to fluctuate. Testosterone declines and other hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone begin to rise. The result? Low T – or low testosterone.

Over the course of a man's life, testosterone will peak somewhere in his early 20s. By age 30, T slowly begins to fall back, declining by about 1% per year. It’s currently estimated that Low T affects 40% of men over the age of 35. Fortunately there’s a lot men can do to boost production at the T factory. Just as menopausal women have relied on estrogen-replacement therapy for years, so too are more and more "andropausal" men turning to testosterone replacement therapy.

Signs and symptoms of Low T

Contrary to popular belief, many of the changes that men experience as they get older have little to do with age and everything to do with hormones. Other symptoms of Low T include:

• Loss of muscle mass
• Weight gain
• Fatigue/loss of energy
• Difficulty sleeping
• Depression
• Erectile dysfunction
• Irritability
• Gynecomastia (man boobs)

How to Boost Your T

The good news is boosting T levels is easier than you might think. The first step in restoring testosterone is determining the source of the underlying hormonal imbalance. Is the imbalance caused by andropause, or is the problem stemming other hormonal issues, such as thyroid disorders or adrenal fatigue? Through state-of-the-art saliva, blood and urine analysis, a highly trained bioidentical hormones expert can assess current hormone levels and determine whether or not, treatment is necessary. Treatment methods vary, but the one of the most effective ways for men to boost testosterone is using testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). TRT can be delivered via injections, pills, creams, gels and patches. Some doctors also offer hormone therapy pellet insertion. A small incision is made in the hip or buttock area and a small, time-release pellet is inserted beneath the skin. This method has proven to be more convenient, because the procedure lasts for up to six months. Regardless what treatment method you and your doctor decide is right for you, it’s always a good idea to include regular exercise, balanced nutrition and any supplements you may need to ensure optimal overall health.