Hormone Therapy for Men

At Family Weight & Wellness Clinic and Medi-Spa in The Woodlands, Texas, Dr. Larry Richardson specializes in hormone replacement therapy for men who have declining levels of testosterone.

Males require testosterone to regulate bodily functions and carry out traits expected of them – athletically, competitively, and sexually. Yet in today's world, synthetic chemicals and toxins are negatively impacting the average testosterone levels of men and having an unfavorable effect on their sleep, energy, libido, physique, mental clarity, and awareness.

By the age of 30, most of today’s men will have lower testosterone levels than those of previous generations. The body’s natural testosterone can be negatively influenced by pesticides, genetically modified foods, weight problems, high fructose corn syrup, sugar, estrogen added to meat, aging, and stress levels.

Why Is Low Testosterone a Problem?

Declining testosterone affects your vigor, mood, libido, and motivation. Men typically begin losing testosterone after the age of 30, which results in experiencing symptoms of what is commonly called “low T.” Also known as hypogonadism, low T is associated with andropause, which is the male equivalent to menopause in women.

When testosterone drops, it can lead to a decline in strength and muscle mass as well as an increase in belly fat. Testosterone is also a sign of your heart's health, because low levels of this required hormone can be a risk marker for potential cardiovascular disease. Optimum levels of testosterone are seen in healthier heart profiles. Low T can also contribute to other conditions such as diabetes and osteoporosis. Restoring testosterone to your optimum level brings back strength, power, and vigor and protects against health risks.

Common symptoms of andropause and related hormone conditions in men include:

• Decreased enjoyment of life
• Depression
• Diminished work performance
• Erectile dysfunction
• General pain or stiffness
• Grumpy demeanor
• Hair loss
• Hot flashes
• Irritability
• Loss of energy or fatigue
• Loss of sex drive (libido)
• Loss of strength and endurance
• Memory loss
• Mood swings
• Muscle loss
• Night sweats
• Sleep disturbances
• Urinary problems
• Weight gain

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for Men

Testosterone and dihydroepiandosterone (DHEA) are two kinds of hormones called androgens, which cause masculinizing effects in the body. Both animals and plants make numerous kinds of androgens, as can scientists. Males and females, however, only make testosterone and DHEA, and these are the only two recommended in humans for androgenic hormone replacement. They can greatly improve diminished sex drive, loss of muscle and bone strength, reduced workout tolerance, psychological sharpness, and recovery from injury.

Dr. Richardson will test your hormone levels for low testosterone and create a treatment plan designed specifically for you to regain energy, muscle strength, and sex drive. If you are deficient in relation to hormonal standards, a basic laboratory test can uncover this. Our labs can also determine if your testosterone is being transformed improperly to estrogen.

Bioidentical hormone treatment for men is a medically sound technique of restoring vital male characteristics while helping to minimize health risks such as depression, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, loss of memory, obesity, and prostate cancer. It can help lower cholesterol, reverse type 2 diabetes, and decrease blood pressure while addressing loss of potency and vigor.

Other benefits of bioidentical hormone therapy for men include:

• Decreases joint and muscle pain
• Improves mood, memory, and concentration
• Increases energy levels
• Improves bone strength
• Increases muscle mass and strength
• Improves sleep
• Protects against heart disease and other health risks
• Helps hair regrowth on scalp
• Improves sex drive (libido) and sexual performance
• Enhances fat loss and muscle tone
• Increases collagen, which thickens and tightens skin

Additional Tests and Follow-Up

In addition to testosterone, we perform screening of various other male health indications, consisting of iron levels, blood count, and kidney functioning. We can also check your DHEA and human growth hormone (HGH) levels, which can inform us about your body's capability to manage and repair itself.

Other tests we offer include homocysteine, C-reactive protein (CRP), and cholesterol tests. We encourage you to be evaluated for all these health-related markers so you can have an overall snapshot of your physical health.

As soon as your screening is complete, our medical staff will discuss your health history and testing results, along with your objectives and any possible concerns that you may have. We will then develop a program geared towards a healthy lifestyle and optimized hormone replacement just for you.

After your initial consultation, we arrange follow-up visits for you at three weeks, six weeks, six months, and one year to manage your program and monitor your progress. Our goal is to ensure that your treatment plan is producing the desired outcome for you and that you’re getting the results that you need.

If you suspect you have low T and would like to learn more about hormone replacement therapy for men in The Woodlands and Spring, Texas area, call (281) 292-2300 to arrange a consultation with Dr. Richardson at Family Weight & Wellness Clinic and Medi-Spa, or use our convenient online appointment request form.