If you find yourself experiencing some of the symptoms listed in Table 6.2, you might want to seek medical advice regarding possible testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). At present, men generally find it much easier than women to secure medical advice about TRT. The use of testosterone supplements to treat male sexual difficulties is relatively common. In marked contrast, the medical community is often reluctant to prescribe supplementary testosterone for women who manifest symptoms of deficiency. However, a gradual awakening to the benefits of testosterone supplement therapy is under way. In fact, several leading authorities on gynecology and menopause stress the need for educating medical practitioners as well as health-care consumers, especially postmenopausal women, about the use of supplementary testosterone (Gel — fand, 2000; Johnson, 2002).
Because of the highly individualized way that both men and women respond to hormones, there is no clear-cut right or wrong approach to TRT. Furthermore, TRT is not necessary for every person whose testosterone levels are lower than normal. Ideally, a person will seek the counsel of an informed physician who will both determine the appropriateness of TRT and work with him or her to find the best dosage and method of administration to effectively alleviate the symptoms of testosterone deficiency.
Testosterone supplements can be administered to men or women orally (swallowing), sublingually (under-the-tongue tablets), by injection, by implantation of a pellet, or by direct application to the skin, using either a testosterone gel formulation or a transdermal skin patch (Morales, 2003; Sinclair & Kligman, 2005). Testosterone can also be applied to women by means of vaginal creams and gels. Experts on TRT caution against taking too much testosterone. Taking a dose greater than necessary to eliminate deprivation symptoms is not likely to improve libido and general energy level and could result in adverse side effects.
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At a Glance |
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■ TABLE 6.2 Common Signs of Testosterone Deficiency in Both Sexes |
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■ Decrease in one’s customary level of sexual desire. |
■ Reduced sensitivity of the genitals and the nipples to sexual stimulation.
■ Overall reduction in general levels of sexual arousability, possibly accompanied by decreased orgasmic capacity and/or less intense orgasms.
■ Diminished energy levels and possibly depressed mood.
■ Increased fat mass.
■ Decreased bone mineral density, which can result in osteoporosis in both sexes.
■ reduced body hair.
■ Decreased muscle mass and strength.
Sources: Cunningham &Toma (2011), McNicholas et al. (2003), Nusbaum et al. (2005), and Sadovsky (2005).