Can Testosterone Help With ED?

There is a lot of debate regarding “Can Testosterone Help With ED”? The truth is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to ED. Every individual and every situation is different. However, some things can be done to maximize the benefits of Testosterone therapy.

How Can Testosterone Help With Erectile Dysfunction?

Testosterone is a crucial male sex hormone vital to men’s (and women’s) overall health and well-being. Low testosterone (low T) levels can cause many health problems, including ED. ED affects up to 50% of men at some point. Several factors can cause ED in men, including low-T. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a natural treatment for men with low T. BHRT can improve sexual desire, erectile function, and overall health. 

What Causes Low Testosterone?

There are several possible causes of low T. They include:

• Aging: Like most hormones, Testosterone levels will naturally decline as we age. This decline is called “Andropause.”
• Obesity: It’s not well known, but fat cells produce the hormone Estrogen. Estrogen is the opposite of Testosterone. This is one of the reasons that obese men are likelier to have low testosterone levels.
• Sleep apnea: Interruptions in breathing through the night negatively affect several aspects of our health. Lowering Testosterone levels is just one thing affected.
• Pituitary gland disorders: The pituitary gland produces several different hormones. One of those is Testosterone.
• Testicular injuries or infections: The testicles also produce Testosterone, so damage to the Testes can interfere with Testosterone production.

If you are experiencing low-T symptoms, the first step to addressing the problem is a simple $99 blood test. Contact our preferred provider if you are searching for Testosterone therapy in Arvada, Denver, or Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

Bioidentical Testosterone Replacement Therapy

BHRT is a time-tested and proven treatment for men with low T. It involves the placement of tiny pellets, the size of a grain of rice, beneath the skin. Returning your Testosterone levels to where they were in your 20s and 30s will reverse many of the symptoms of low T. Of course, any treatment can have side effects. None of these are permanent, and all can be managed. The side effects of BHRT may include:

• Acne: Acne on the upper back and shoulders.
• Sleep apnea: Some men will experience a mild increase in sleep apnea.
• Prostate enlargement: Testosterone supplementation can cause some prostate gland growth, which may cause mild urinary problems.
• Blood clotting: Testosterone can also increase the risk of blood clots in some men. If you have any underlying clotting issues, discuss them with your Doctor before beginning BHRT.

Can Testosterone Help With ED, and Is it Right for You?

Suppose you are experiencing symptoms of low T, like ED, increased fatigue, or decreased libido. It may be time to talk to a Hormone Specialist about Testosterone replacement therapy. BHRT is a standard and effective treatment for men (and women) with low T.

How Testosterone Benefits Your Body

Testosterone is mainly produced in the testes in males and the ovaries and adrenal glands in females. Testosterone is critical for the characteristics typically associated with men, including:

• Muscle mass and bone density
• The development of facial and pubic hair
• Deepening of voices
• Increased sex drive

Produced in smaller amounts for women, Testosterone is still essential. Testosterone production increases about 30-fold during puberty and early adulthood. After reaching our early 30s, it’s natural for levels to drop roughly one percent per year. Other essential functions of Testosterone include:

• Maintaining mood
• Allowing clear thinking and memory (people with low-T often complain of “Brain Fog”)
• Elevating energy levels
• Reducing joint pain (Testosterone is a natural anti-inflammatory)

If you are experiencing:

• Decreased muscle mass
• Increased body fat
• Erectile dysfunction

You may have a Testosterone deficiency.

Are There Benefits to Testosterone Replacement Therapy Other Than to Help ED?

Improved Heart Health

A healthy heart pumps blood through the circulatory system, providing muscles, glands, and organs with the oxygen and fuel they need to perform their best. Testosterone also helps stimulate red blood cell production in the bone marrow. Low T is also linked to many cardiovascular risks.

Study results are mixed regarding the benefits of Testosterone and heart disease. Some studies from the early 2000s found only slight improvements with Testosterone therapy. Some participants improved their exercise efficiency (measured by increases in walking distance) by 33%. Another study found that hormone therapy widened healthy arteries but did not relieve angina pain.

Another more extensive study involving 83,000 men found a 24% reduction in the risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction) and a 36% decrease in the incidence of stroke.

More Muscle, Less Fat

Increased Testosterone levels mean increased muscle mass. Decreased body fat also means lower estrogen levels and increased energy. Men undergoing BHRT experience decreased fat mass and increased muscle size and strength. Some men reported a lean body mass change but no power increase. To maximize the benefits of BHRT, it’s best to add resistance training to your exercise regimen while using Testosterone therapy.

Improved Memory, Spatial Awareness, and Math Skills

Hormone research has also found that men with higher total Testosterone levels have a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Various studies have also found a strong connection between testosterone and cognitive (thinking) ability. Improvements have been found in both verbal memory and thought processing speeds. Testosterone replacement therapy for men 34 to 70 years old has improved spatial memory.

Testosterone Increases Libido, Improves Performance, and Helps With ED

Male and female Testosterone levels naturally rise with sexual arousal and activity. Not surprisingly, males with increased levels of Testosterone show increased sexual activity. As men age, they require additional Testosterone to maintain libido and erectile function. However, ED is not strictly tied to Testosterone levels.

While research and logic show that BHRT can improve sexual health and performance, there is an optimal testosterone level. Elevating Testosterone levels too high will lead to new problems. That is why receiving your Testosterone therapy from a specialist in the field is crucial.

Improved Mood and Attitude

From what you’ve read thus far, it’s evident that lower testosterone levels are associated with poorer quality of life. Low testosterone levels symptoms include depression, fatigue, and irritability, to name a few. However, this is typically linked to hypogonadism which, unfortunately, usually occurs as men age. 

The effects of BHRT on mood can vary from patient to patient. Men with depressed Testosterone levels showed improved mood and sense of well-being and reduced fatigue and irritability. Many men experience (and research studies suggest) that Testosterone treatment can be an effective anti-depressant.

What’s The Downside of Testosterone Therapy?

Prescription testosterone treatments include gels, skin patches, and intramuscular injections. Each comes with potential side effects. Patches can irritate the skin. Because of the “Roller Coaster” effect of intramuscular injections, some men may experience fairly significant mood swings. Don’t allow other family members or pets to be exposed to any gel or topical Testosterone medication.

Possible side effects of testosterone therapy include:

• Acne
• Fluid retention
• Increased urination
• Breast enlargement
• Decreased testicular size
• Decreased sperm count

Do not use Testosterone if you have prostate or breast cancer. As noted above, Testosterone therapy can worsen sleep apnea in some older patients. The benefits of BHRT include:

• No danger of exposure to family members
• No “Roller Coaster” effect
• No painful weekly injections
• Natural, plant-based Testosterone instead of synthetic chemicals

The benefits of BHRT over injections, gels, and pills make it a common choice for Testosterone therapy.

Should You Do Testosterone Replacement Therapy to Help With ED?

BHRT is unnecessary if your Testosterone levels are dropping. Still, you aren’t experiencing symptoms of low T. Testosterone replacement therapy should only be done if your Testosterone levels are below average for you and you are experiencing symptoms. The human hormonal system is complicated and must be managed by a professional. You should also regularly have lab work done to ensure your body operates at its best. Do not start Testosterone therapy without consulting a Doctor. If you are concerned that you might have low testosterone levels, a simple $99 blood test will show your personal testosterone levels so your specific needs can be diagnosed.

While Doctors may have differing opinions regarding the effectiveness of BHRT, a healthy diet and regular exercise are required for all of us to maintain good health and maximize our natural Testosterone levels.

Natural Supplements to Increase Testosterone Levels

If you’re not quite ready to try Testosterone therapy but want to maximize your Testosterone levels, some foods, vitamins, and herbs help. Here is a list of herbs, vitamins, and foods that naturally elevate Testosterone levels. (Use the link to order from Pure Encapsulations to receive a discount)

While experiencing symptoms associated with low testosterone levels, it is essential to consult a hormone specialist. Testosterone therapy has many benefits, and Integrative Health and Rehabilitation can get you back to feeling like yourself again. Schedule a free consultation to find out how BHRT can help you.

Still not sure about starting Testosterone replacement therapy? It starts with a simple blood test. Integrative Health and Rehabilitation provides Testosterone replacement therapy for men and women in Arvada, Denver, and Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Schedule a quick, 15-minute test to determine your Testosterone levels and if BHRT can help you.