Testosterone is a hormone that is produced by the body. In men, testosterone is mostly produced in the testicles and is responsible for stimulating sperm production and sex drive, as well as building muscles and bone mass.

As men age, testosterone production decreases. When production drastically drops or ceases, a range of symptoms and complications can occur, which can lead to use of various testosterone replacement products.

Symptoms of Low Testosterone

Low testosterone is diagnosed when levels fall below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). Andropause — decline in testosterone production — is the male counterpart to menopause.

But while women experience a drastic decrease in estrogen at a certain age, the production of testosterone in men decreases gradually. If it decreases more than it should, men can experience a wide range of symptoms. Low testosterone symptoms in adult men include:

• Low Sex Drive. Testosterone plays a key role in a man’s libido. As men age, most of them experience a decline in sex drive to varying degrees. However, someone with low T will likely experience a more drastic drop in his desire to have sex.
• Difficulty Achieving Erection. Testosterone stimulates a man’s sex drive—and it also aids in achieving an erection. Testosterone alone doesn’t cause an erection, but it stimulates receptors in the brain to produce nitric oxide—a molecule that helps trigger an erection. Low T is also linked to many conditions that cause erectile dysfunction, including obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis.
• Hair Loss. Testosterone plays a role in several body functions, including hair production. Balding is a natural part of aging for many men. However, men with low T may experience a loss of body and facial hair.
• Fatigue & Lack of Energy. Men with low T have reported extreme fatigue and a noticeable decrease in energy levels.
• Loss of Muscle Mass. Because testosterone plays a role in the building and strengthening of muscle, men with low T might notice a decrease in both muscle mass and strength, especially in their arms, legs, or chest.
• Increase in Body Fat. If losing muscles wasn’t bad enough, men with low T also experience an increase in body fat. Although the reasons behind this are not entirely clear, research has shown that the genes that control body fat percentage are also responsible for circulating testosterone levels in men.
• Mood Changes. Testosterone drives many physical processes in men’s bodies. But it also boosts their mood and mental capacity. Research has shown that men with low T are more likely to experience depression, irritability, or a lack of focus.

How To Treat Low Testosterone

Hormone replacement therapy is common in treating low testosterone. Testosterone replacement therapy may:

• Increase interest in sex
• Produce more frequent erections
• Reduce depression, anger and fatigue
• Maintain male traits, such as a beard
• Increase muscle mass and bone density
• Strengthen the hand and leg muscles

Low testosterone hormone replacement therapy can be in the form of:

• Implantable pellets. Implantable testosterone pellets can be placed under the skin of the buttocks during a simple procedure. Numerous pellets are placed at one time. They slowly release testosterone over a 3-4 month period.
• Injections. Deep muscle injections are the least expensive. They are taken every 7 to 22 days. Injections are painful and testosterone levels fluctuate between injections.
• Gel and patches. Gel and patches are applied daily to the skin (back, abdomen, upper arm, thigh or scrotum). The skin absorbs the testosterone quickly, stores it and releases it slowly into the blood.