Testosterone injections has several medical uses.In men, the procedure This can be used to treat health problems, such as low testosterone levels and erectile dysfunction.
In the male body, the hormone testosterone is produced by the testes (testicles). This hormone affects bone density, muscle mass and strength, hair growth, red blood cell production, fat distribution, sex drive, and sperm production. There are several medical conditions that can cause low testosterone levels, so testosterone injection therapy is needed to treat them.
Benefits of Testosterone Hormone Injections
The production of this hormone will naturally decrease after men enter the age of 30 years. Some of the symptoms of low testosterone levels include decreased sex drive and sperm production, weight gain, and weight gain hot flushes (hot feeling, sweating, heart palpitations and skin looks red).
Testosterone injection therapy is one of the efforts to overcome this condition. In addition to injections, this hormone can also be given in the form of a gel or patch pellets or implants that are directly inserted into the body by a doctor. Giving testosterone in the form of drinking drugs is rarely done, because it is feared that it can interfere with the health of the liver.
Before the testosterone injection is given, the patient must undergo a complete medical examination and the level of testosterone in the blood. It is also possible that your doctor may recommend a complete blood count to ensure that testosterone therapy will not increase your red blood cell count too high.
Generally, testosterone injections are carried out regularly every 7-14 days, or with a longer break, depending on the patient's health condition. About 2-3 days after the injection, testosterone production will be very high, which will then decrease again until the next injection.
In most men, low testosterone symptoms will improve after 6 weeks of therapy. An increase in muscle mass can also be felt after 3-6 months.
Risk of Testosterone Hormone Injection
Although testosterone injections can be used to treat health problems, there are still some risks from this procedure. For example, a rash, itching, or irritation occurs, especially at the injection site.
Testosterone therapy can also cause some side effects, such as acne, infertility, enlargement of breast size in men (gynecomastia), and an increase in the number of red blood cells.
Testosterone injections are not recommended for men suffering from benign prostate enlargement, prostate cancer, blood clotting disorders, sleep apnea, and heart failure, because this treatment can risk aggravating these diseases. In addition, men who have high red blood cell levels and the elderly are also advised to avoid testosterone injections, because they can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
In patients with prostate cancer, testosterone hormone therapy can increase the risk of cancer spreading (metastasize), if done in the long term. Consider carefully if the doctor recommends testosterone injections. Ask for complete information about the benefits and risks.
