When people talk about hormones, they often mean female hormones. Men also have hormones, and improving male hormone levels can often have positive health benefits. Male hormones decline after a man reaches the age of 40. By the age of 50, more than half of men will have hormone levels less than half the level they had at age 25. Symptoms often develop slowly and are attributed to getting older, but these symptoms can be serious.

            Common symptoms of declining hormones in men include low sex drive (decreased libido); erectile dysfunction; fatigue and poor energy levels; decrease in muscle mass; loss of body and facial hair; difficulty concentrating or brain fog; depressed mood; irritability; low sense of well-being; low sperm count; and increase in belly fat with weight gain.

            These symptoms require blood tests. Testosterone is the most well-known hormone, but thyroid hormones, estrogen levels, adrenal hormones, blood sugar and metabolic tests are also important. Working with a trained physician will obtain a complete hormone evaluation and guide a treatment plan.

            Testosterone is a prescription medication and can be delivered in a variety of ways, including transdermally (skin patch) applied to the arm or upper body once daily; gels or creams applied to the upper arms or chest once daily; troches, oral dissolvable tablets placed between the gum and cheek once daily; and injection into the muscle or soft tissues and absorbed into the bloodstream. There is no testosterone pill because it absorbs very poorly from the intestinal tract. Also, the other methods all bypass the liver and allow the testosterone to go directly to the cells to avoid being eliminated.

            Men that take testosterone therapy can expect an increase in energy, along with improved sex drive and performance. Testosterone improves bone density, increases muscle mass, concentration, moods and improves insulin resistance, thereby allowing loss of belly fat. Most men will notice improvement of their symptoms within three to four months of initiating therapy.

            Side effects of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) are rare, including rash, irritation or itching at the site of application or administration. A doctor will need to perform periodic blood testing to monitor for potential side effects and find the optimal dose. Most physicians that prescribe TRT recommend screening for prostate cancer before beginning therapy, and continuing this screening (as simple as a routine PSA blood test) throughout replacement therapy. Uncommon side effects include an increase in the frequency of obstructive sleep apnea, blood clots or congestive heart failure. A physician skilled in the art of TRT should be able to guide patients through any of these potential issues.

            Testosterone replacement therapy is not akin to taking bodybuilding anabolic steroids. The goal is to achieve normal natural levels of hormones and not to reach levels that would enhance athletic performance or cause negative side effects. An integrative or functional medicine approach to male hormonal health should include discussion about a healthy diet, regular exercise, appropriate supplementation and other health issues.

John O. Wycoff, DO, is a board-certified family physician who specializes in functional medicine. The Wycoff Wellness Center is located at 1226 Michigan Ave., in East Lansing. For more information, call 517-333-7270 or visit WycoffWellness.com.