Therapy is a general term that refers to any kind of medical treatment intended to relieve or heal an injury, impairment, disorder, or disease. In other words, “therapy” is another word for “treatment.”
However, “therapy” has become a term that people often use when specifically referring to psychotherapy, or talk therapy. This kind of treatment focuses on relieving mental health problems or emotional distress through the help of a trained professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed counselor.
But, again, in the medical world, “therapy” is just another word for “treatment.” And because there are different kinds of treatment for just about every medical issue out there, there are almost innumerable types of therapy. To name a few besides psychotherapy, here are others you may be familiar with:
- Physical therapy
- Speech therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Chiropractic therapy
- Dietary therapy
- Exercise therapy
- Pharmacotherapy
- Autism therapies
- Cell therapy
- Gene therapy
- Thermotherapy
- Phototherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Laser therapy
- Acupuncture
- Magnetic resonance therapy
- Hormone replacement therapy
So as you can see, therapy concerns a wide range of remediation agents and methods. But while there are many different types of therapies, we want to focus on one specific kind of treatment in this article: hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (or, even more specifically, testosterone replacement therapy).
What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?
HRT, or simply hormone therapy, is a type of treatment primarily used for women experiencing unwanted symptoms caused by menopause, but it is also growing in popularity as a treatment for men suffering from low testosterone levels. It can come in the form of injections, pills, skin patches, gels, or, for women, vaginal creams.
When HRT is used for women, it is also known as menopausal hormone therapy. Menopause is a normal part of aging in women, during which their levels of female hormones fluctuate. This may cause uncomfortable symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, and bone loss.
To combat these symptoms, many doctors prescribe HRT to replenish the woman’s hormone levels and keep them from varying too much. Depending on what the woman needs, HRT can contain progesterone and estrogen, only estrogen, or even testosterone. Extensive research shows that HRT is effective to remedy symptoms associated with menopause, which leads to improved sleep, sexual relations, and overall quality of life.
The story is a little different for men. Similar to women, men’s hormones naturally change as they get older. This also leads to unwanted symptoms, such as decreased sex drive, reduced muscle mass, fatigue, depression, and erectile dysfunction. But the primary hormone deficiency that causes this in men is testosterone.
Although more and more men are turning to HRT to treat their low testosterone symptoms, there is not as much research supporting that use as there is for its use in women. Therefore, medical professionals have conflicting opinions on the safety and efficacy of HRT in men. You can read on to find out more about HRT for men.
HRT for Men
As stated above, HRT is a treatment that helps replenish deficient hormone levels—in men, this hormone is testosterone. As men get older (after they reach age 30), their testosterone levels begin to decrease. This is natural and not usually a cause for concern.
However, men may start to experience unwanted symptoms because of low testosterone. This is especially the case in men who have hypogonadism, a disease that, regardless of the man’s age, can cause unnaturally low T-levels. Hypogonadism is a condition in which a man’s testicles or the pituitary gland that controls them are not functioning properly and produce lower than the normal, healthy amount of testosterone.
Like we said earlier, medical professionals have differing opinions concerning the use of HRT to treat men with low testosterone. There are certain side effects and risks associated with HRT in men that might outweigh the benefits. But more research needs to be conducted before it can be more proven whether or not HRT for men is safe and efficacious.
That being said, it is important for men to understand the risks and benefits of HRT before they seek such treatment for low testosterone. Your doctor may suggest HRT for you, though, if they think you would be a good fit. If this is the case, you can receive HRT via testosterone injections, patches, or a topical gel.
You can click here to learn more about testosterone injections, or read on to learn about testosterone replacement therapy.
TRT Meaning
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a type of treatment that involves giving the body the testosterone hormone it lacks through pills, creams, gels, patches, or injections. It is a form of HRT primarily used to treat men with low testosterone. In rare cases, TRT can also be safely and effectively used to treat low testosterone levels in women.
Testosterone is a hormone found in both males and females that is responsible for maintaining healthy fat distribution, muscle mass, bone density, sex drive, mood, red blood cell count, and reproductive function (sperm production in males). As stated earlier, when the body’s testosterone levels fall below a healthy amount, men and women can experience a variety of unwanted effects. But this is where TRT comes in and can be a major help.
TRT uses synthetic or bioidentical testosterone hormone to supplement the body’s T-levels. Where menopausal hormone therapy helps aging women get the estrogen and progesterone they need to sustain healthy hormone levels, TRT gives older males suffering from a testosterone deficiency the boost of hormones they are missing. It can also be a lifesaver for males with hypogonadism, whose testicles or pituitary gland do not function properly and leave affected men with lower-than-normal T-levels.
It is important to note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved TRT for males with low testosterone caused by disorders of the testicles, brain, or pituitary gland. This means that, although TRT is meant primarily for men, it is not FDA-approved to combat the side effects of naturally-occurring low testosterone due to age. TRT is also not approved by the FDA to treat women.
Who Needs TRT?
TRT is primarily for men with hypogonadism. As stated above, it can also be prescribed to treat men with low testosterone due to aging. While in some cases TRT can help treat women with low testosterone, it is generally not advised for women to receive because it may cause masculinizing side effects, including extra body hair or facial hair growth, weight gain, and mood swings.
But how do you know if you have hypogonadism or low testosterone? First, here is a list of the signs and symptoms associated with hypogonadism in men:
- Infertility
- Erectile dysfunction
- Decreased sex drive (libido)
- Decreased energy
- Depression
- Less growth of facial or body hair
- Decreased muscle mass
- Osteoporosis (bone loss)
- Hot flashes
- Gynecomastia (breast enlargement)
These symptoms are similar to the symptoms of low testosterone in men due to aging:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Decreased libido
- Weight gain
- Depression or anxiety
- Hot flashes
- Gynecomastia
If you are experiencing multiple of these symptoms, it may be time for you to see your doctor. Without a blood test (and possible further evaluation), you will not be able to conclusively know if you have low testosterone or hypogonadism. Even if you are experiencing several of the aforementioned symptoms, you may be simply enduring typical symptoms associated with the natural aging process.
Where Can I Get TRT?
There are a few different options as to where you can go to get TRT. You can go to a low T clinic, also known as a men’s health clinic, where medical professionals can give you a blood test (and further evaluation if needed). If they determine you have low testosterone or hypogonadism, they may prescribe TRT if it is a good fit for you.
Another route you can take is to find an online source that sells TRT injections, pills, patches, or gel. But if you choose to buy testosterone online, you want to make sure to conduct thorough research to find a trustworthy seller. Also, it is best to see your doctor for a prescription before you seek testosterone therapy resources online.
TRT Clinic Near Me
TRT clinic is just another name for low T center or men’s health clinic. Again, they are where you can go to find out for sure if you have low testosterone with the help of a blood test. If your doctor suspects hypogonadism, they may perform additional exams to check for that. Once you have a diagnosis of low T or hypogonadism, your doctor at the clinic can help you determine if TRT is the right treatment for you. Then, if it is, they can set you on your way to getting it.
You can find a TRT clinic near you with a simple online search—there are many resources available all across the United States, and you should be able to find at least one TRT clinic within a reasonable distance of you.
Best Place to Buy Testosterone Online
As far as online sources go, there are many options to choose from. [As stated earlier,] You want to make sure to do your research to find a credible and reliable source. Luckily, we have a suggestion of one great place you can go: Elite Health Online.
Elite Health offers testosterone shots and other testosterone products on their website, TestosteroneShots.com. All you have to do is visit their website and schedule your free virtual consultation today. Doing so will give you the opportunity to meet with one of their trained professionals who can help you learn more about TRT and determine if it is the right option for you. From there, they can help you order your testosterone shots.
