Testosterone therapy: Key to male vitality?
Testosterone therapy: Key to male vitality?
Considering testosterone therapy to help you feel younger and more vigorous as you age? Know the risks before you make your decision.
By Mayo Clinic staff
The possibilities of testosterone therapy are enticing increase your muscle mass, sharpen your memory and concentration, boost your libido, and improve your energy level. As you get older, testosterone therapy may sound like the ultimate anti-aging formula. Yet the health benefits of testosterone therapy for age-related declines in testosterone aren't as clear as it may seem. Find out what's known and not known about testosterone therapy for normal aging.
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is a hormone produced primarily in the testes. For men, testosterone helps maintain:
- Bone density
- Fat distribution
- Muscle strength and mass
- Red blood cell production
- Sex drive
- Sperm production
If you have an unusually low level of testosterone (hypogonadism), your doctor may prescribe a synthetic version of testosterone. You may be able to choose from testosterone injections, patches or gels.
What happens to testosterone level with age?
Testosterone peaks during adolescence and early adulthood. As you get older, your testosterone level gradually declines typically about 1 percent a year after age 30.
Does a naturally declining testosterone level cause the signs and symptoms of aging?
Some men have a lower than normal testosterone level without signs or symptoms. For others, low testosterone may cause:
- Changes in sexual function. This may include reduced sexual desire, fewer spontaneous erections such as during sleep and infertility.
- Changes in sleep patterns. Sometimes low testosterone causes insomnia or other sleep disturbances.
- Physical changes. Various physical changes are possible, including increased body fat, reduced muscle bulk and strength, and decreased bone density. Swollen or tender breasts (gynecomastia) and hair loss are possible. You may experience hot flashes and have less energy than you used to.
- Emotional changes. Low testosterone may contribute to a decrease in motivation or self-confidence. You may feel sad or depressed, or have trouble concentrating or remembering things.
It's important to note that some of these signs and symptoms are a normal part of aging. Others can be caused by various underlying factors, including medication side effects, thyroid problems, depression and excessive alcohol use. A blood test is the only way to diagnose a low testosterone level.
The influence of testosterone
The male hormone testosterone plays an important role in the development and maintenance of typical masculine physical characteristics, such as muscle mass and strength, and growth of facial and body hair.
Testosterone therapy: Key to male vitality?
Can testosterone therapy promote youth and vitality?
Testosterone therapy can help reverse the effects of hypogonadism, but it's unclear whether testosterone therapy would have any benefit for older men who are otherwise healthy. Although some men believe that taking testosterone medications may help them feel younger and more vigorous as they age, few rigorous studies have examined testosterone therapy in men who have healthy testosterone levels and some small studies have revealed mixed results. For example, in one study healthy men who took testosterone medications increased muscle mass but didn't gain strength.
What are the risks of testosterone therapy for normal aging?
Testosterone therapy has various risks. For example, testosterone therapy may:
- Contribute to sleep apnea a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts
- Cause your body to make too many red blood cells (polycythemia), which can increase the risk of heart disease
- Cause acne or other skin reactions
- Stimulate noncancerous growth of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and possibly stimulate growth of existing prostate cancer
- Enlarge breasts
- Limit sperm production or cause testicle shrinkage
Should you talk to your doctor about testosterone therapy?
If you wonder whether testosterone therapy might be right for you, work with your doctor to weigh the risks and benefits. A medical condition that leads to an unusual decline in testosterone may be a reason to take supplemental testosterone. However, treating normal aging with testosterone therapy remains controversial.
Belly fat in men: Why weight loss matters
Belly fat is unhealthy. Find out what causes belly fat, the health risks it poses for men and what you can do to lose the extra pounds.
By Mayo Clinic staff
Michael Jensen, M.D.
Michael Jensen, M.D., an endocrinology specialist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., answers common questions about belly fat in men.
Why is belly fat a concern for men?
People who gain belly fat are at greater risk of serious health problems than are people who accumulate fat in other areas and men are more likely than women to gain weight around the waist. Having a large amount of belly fat increases your risk of:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Some types of cancer
- Type 2 diabetes
- Insulin resistance
- High triglycerides
- Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or 'good,' cholesterol
- Metabolic syndrome
- Sleep apnea
How can you tell if you have too much belly fat?
Your waist size is a good indicator of whether you have too much belly fat. Although measurements that compare your hip and waist circumference (waist-to-hip ratio) or compare your height and weight (body mass index) are more precise, your waist size alone can give you a good estimate. For most men, the risk factors for heart disease and other diseases increase with a waist size greater than 40 inches (102 centimeters).
To measure your waist:
- Place a tape measure around your bare abdomen just above your hipbone.
- Pull the tape measure until it fits snugly around you but doesn't push into your skin.
- Make sure the tape measure is level all the way around.
- Relax, exhale and measure your waist no sucking in your belly!
Does age play a role in gaining belly fat?
As you age, you lose muscle especially if you're not physically active. Muscle loss can slow the rate at which your body burns calories. In turn, if you don't limit your calories or increase your physical activity, you may gain weight.
Is belly fat inherited?
Your genes can affect your chances of being overweight or obese, as well as where you carry extra fat on your body. For most men, however, the problem likely has more to do with lifestyle than inherited traits.
continued:
Belly fat in men: Why weight loss matters
Can you really get a beer belly from drinking?
Drinking excess alcohol can cause you to gain belly fat the 'beer belly.' However, beer alone isn't to blame. Drinking too much alcohol of any kind can increase belly fat, although some research suggests wine may be an exception. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Limiting yourself to two drinks a day will reduce the amount of calories you consume and help you avoid gaining belly fat. It's also better for your overall health.
How do you get rid of belly fat?
Whether you're trying to lose belly fat or trim fat from another part of your body, weight-loss basics remain the same:
- Reduce calories. Reduce your portion sizes. Replace your usual fare with healthy foods that contain fewer calories.
- Increase physical activity. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends adults get two hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, in addition to strength training. You may need to do more to lose weight and keep it off.
After you shed excess pounds, maintain your weight loss with a healthy diet and regular physical activity.
Can you reduce belly fat with sit-ups?
Sit-ups help make your abdominal muscles stronger, but spot exercises alone won't specifically reduce belly fat. The best way to shrink your waist size is to lower your total body fat through healthy eating and exercise.
The bottom line
If you have a spare tire, don't despair. You can lose belly fat it just takes patience and effort. In fact, shedding even a few extra pounds can help you feel better and lower your risk of health problems.
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