Male Hormone Replacement Therapies.
Male hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is through the use of a range of different methods designed to ensure the testosterone levels are restored to normal physiological levels.
Initially the testosterone provides for the development of the secondary sexual characteristics normally seen at puberty (apart from testicular development). Testosterone is also required throughout life to maintain normal male sexual function and to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis.While testosterone is not a vital hormone for life, its absence can lead to a poor quality of life and increase the risk of developing osteoporosis and type II diabetes.
Various treatment methods are available for the delivery of external testosterone:
- Injections - weekly / bi-weekly / 3 monthly
- Gel - daily application
- Patches - daily application
- Buccal patches - daily application of patch worn on the gum
- Capsusles - oil filled capsules for daily use
- Implants - 6 monthly deep muscular implants
Each method has advantages and disadvantages and it might come down to personal choice as to which is best for any individual. The aim is to provide a steady level of testosterone in the normal physiological range without the peaks and troughs in levels which can lead to emotional swings,
Testosterone treatment is normally started at the age of 13 or 14, depending on height, with dosage slowly increased to adult levels.
An alternative method to using external testosterone is the use of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injections which can stimulate the testes into producing natural testosterone. hCG injections can be used as part of fertility treatments or can be used on their on in men just for testosterone production. For most men with KS / CHH using hCG alone is not enough to induce fertility but it is possible for some men with KS / CHH to become fertile using hCG injections alone.