The Future of Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Posted: November 8, 2019
With today’s technology, testosterone replacement therapy is helping many men who suffer from the effects of low testosterone. More and more men are finding themselves unable to do the activities they once did. Fatigue, low libido, and other symptoms associated with low T mean they are less likely to engage in the things they enjoy.
In the past, men had fewer solutions to deal with their symptoms. With fewer options, it’s likely that many would simply tolerate these problems and give up some of their more strenuous pursuits. However, as medicine advances, it becomes increasingly easier to treat men’s symptoms and help them continue to get the most out of life. Testosterone replacement therapy can often help alleviate the symptoms commonly associated with low testosterone.
The Role of Testosterone Replacement
Of course, no one wants to feel like it is difficult to pursue an exciting lifestyle. As we age, testosterone levels tend to drop. Since testosterone affects sex drive, muscle mass, and red blood cell production, it can have huge impacts on men’s health and happiness.
Luckily, testosterone replacement can help relieve the undesirable symptoms and keep you going strong. It can be an effective tool for men’s health management to use these hormone replacement therapies. Testosterone replacement therapy can help you feel more invigorated, so it makes sense that people have been interested in the process for a long time. But do you find yourself wondering where these treatments come from and where they might go?
The History of Testosterone Medicine
So, how did we get to where we are today with testosterone replacement? We have been developing our knowledge of testosterone for centuries. Though science experiments aiming to replace the hormone date back to the 1700’s, the word “testosterone” wasn’t coined until 1935.
Most of the early testosterone replacement experiments included invasive procedures to increase testosterone levels for better vitality. Usually, these would include testicular transplants from animals to men. Scientists at the time didn’t have a better way to increase the amount of testosterone in the body. However, in 1935 scientists Adolf Butenand and Leopold Ruzicka were able to create synthetic testosterone. This was a huge step forward for men’s wellness, as it meant it would be easier to increase testosterone levels in patients.
Over the years, many different types of medications have been used to treat low testosterone, with research finding more and more effective ways to replace the hormone. The ability to help men feel healthier and more energized advances as research continues.
Present Treatments
Today, many different types of testosterone replacement medications exist. Currently, common medications used to treat low testosterone include:
- Injections
- Patches
- Gels
- Pellet Implants
- Oral applications
Generally, injections are the superior treatment for low testosterone. Injections are easier for men’s health management, as they act the same way naturally produced testosterone does. They also allow better control over dosage, as well as ease for patients. Injections mean that men don’t have to fuss with remembering to take a pill, applying a messy gel, or struggling to get a patch to stick. So, injections are a very practical way for many men to go about testosterone replacement.
As mentioned, injections are quite effective and convenient. However, researchers are working every day to improve men’s wellness and testosterone replacement. Much in the same way we wonder about what cars will look like in the next decade, it is interesting to think about what innovations will come about for testosterone replacement therapies. Just as we have gone from invasive transplants to the ease of injections, perhaps the next advances will become even simpler. At the end of the day, the goal is to help men feel great enough to move mountains.
New Breakthroughs for Low Testosterone
As time goes by, scientists are looking for new ways to create medications that help people live their best life. At the University of Southern California, researchers have been looking at how we can bypass the already simple periodic injection treatment and help men with low testosterone produce the hormone on their own. Recently, they have been able to use stem cells taken from skin or blood and turn them into testosterone-producing cells in the lab.
The next step in this research is to watch these cells to see how long they last and what they do. They would like to test how they react both on their own and after they are injected into animals. Not only will this allow them to see if these lab-grown cells are usable for replacement therapy, but also to understand low testosterone conditions better. The idea is that these lab-grown cells could be transplanted into the human body to help those suffering from low testosterone.
What Does this Mean for Men?
While these experiments are just starting out, it is still an exciting new development for those suffering from low testosterone. It is fascinating to think about what the future holds for testosterone replacement therapies and men’s health management. No matter what it looks like in the future, we can look forward to simpler, more effective treatments to keep men feeling great.
In all, it’s obvious that testosterone research is important. Otherwise, scientists wouldn’t have spent centuries studying the hormone. Over time, we have gotten better and better regarding testosterone replacement techniques. However, what does this mean to people who aren’t medical professionals? It means that as we progress, we can help improve men’s wellness.
If you have symptoms such as depression, weight gain, or decreased libido, low testosterone therapies may help relieve your symptoms. Low T Center is here to help you take control and improve your health. Our physicians can help you determine if these treatments are a good option for you. Contact us today by making an appointment online for a comprehensive health assessment.
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Disclaimer: This article is made available for general, entertainment and educational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Low T Center. You should always seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.