Monday, July 8, 2013

Affects Of Low Testosterone And And Its Therapy Over Transgender Men


Testosterone - male sex hormone affects greatly the overall health, whether found in abundance or in reduced quantities. Various diseases from heart to lungs are caused due to disturbances in the level of hormones, naturally happening with age.

Heart and testosterone levels - How It Affects Heart?

Low testosterone level or above normal is a major reason of many heart issues.

  • Androgen therapy lowers the good cholesterol and increases the level of low-density lipid that is also termed as bad lipid. This also improves the quantity of triglycerides in body.

  • More fat is accumulated in the abdominal area as compared to lower portions that poses a serious cardiovascular risk.

  • Weight gain is common with testosterone therapy that lowers the sensitivity toward insulin. It allows more chances of getting Type II diabetes.

  • High testosterone levels in some men result in lowering the associated risk of heart disease.

  • Abusing levels of androgen have some clear connection with strokes and cardiac arrest.

  • Androgen therapy when used along with smoking and high blood pressure can become a serious threat for a body.

Hair - The Victim Of Low Testosterone

  • Androgen especially DHT is highly influential over hair follicles.

  • Androgen therapy may lead toward male baldness in some cases.

  • Testosterone when converts into DHT is found in two enzyme types. Type 2 is responsible for male baldness.

Gynecological Symptoms Of Low Testosterone

  • Testosterone therapy is used in trans-men to stop menstruation. This therapy works within five months of start and if it does not happen then expert consultation becomes necessary.

  • Clitoris size is increased because of testosterone therapy, a condition known as clitoromegaly. It is advised to stop the use of testosterone if this situation happens.

  • Polycystic ovary syndrome may occur after a long-term treatment of androgen therapy. If this condition is left untreated, there are chances of developing endometrial cancer and reduced fertility. Transgender men need to be careful about that.

Determining Endometrial Cancer

The apparent symptoms of endometrial cancer are bleeding in women passing through postmenopausal stage. In transgender men, if bleeding persists after stoppage of menstruation the endometrial biopsy should be the first thing to go for. Following procedures can also help in ruling out the chances of endometrial cancer and affects of testosterone therapy:

  • Ultrasounds of endometrial should be taken after every two years. If endometrial appears thin in ultrasound, a biopsy should be the next step.

  • Expert doctors advise adults who have a cervix or uterus to go through a Pap smear test. This test is helpful in determining the chances of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer actually occurs because of a virus transmitted sexually. There are less chances of developing cervical cancer in men who never experienced vaginal sex.

  • Androgen therapy also results in reduced size of breast in some transgender men. In real, this happens due to fat loss in breast area.

  • Another common thing that happens with women going through androgen therapy is vaginal dryness and vaginal atrophy. This condition can be improved with estrogen cream as prescribed by your doctor.

  • Enhanced sex drive is also observed in Trans men who undergo androgen therapy, but this slows down after few years of testosterone therapy.

Balancing low testosterone through natural means may lower the associated side effects.

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