Our Services / Low Testosterone

What causes low testosterone?

Testosterone is a male sex hormone that your testicles make to support male sexual development and function.

When your testosterone levels are low, a condition known as low-T, you can experience a variety of symptoms that affect your physical and mental health. Low-T can also contribute to male infertility.

Risk factors for low testosterone can include:

• Aging
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol

If you have excess belly fat, you may also be at increased risk for low testosterone.

What are the symptoms of low testosterone?

Symptoms of low testosterone can vary from person to person. Some men can have low testosterone without any symptoms. In some cases, symptoms can be severe enough to interfere with your physical and mental health.

Symptoms of low-T can include:

• Chronic fatigue
• Reduced sex drive
• Erectile dysfunction
• Reduced muscle mass
• Loss of body hair

An imbalance in your testosterone levels can also affect your mental health and increase your risk for depression.

How is low testosterone diagnosed?

To determine if erectile dysfunction or other symptoms you have are related to low testosterone, the team at Northwest Arkansas Urology Associates offers on-site blood testing. They evaluate your testosterone levels in a sample of your blood to confirm or rule out low-T.

Based on the results of your testing and the severity of your symptoms, the urology team customizes a treatment plan to restore your testosterone levels and address the side effects of low-T.

How is low testosterone treated?

An effective way to rebalance your natural testosterone levels is through testosterone replacement therapy. This treatment uses synthetic hormones that are similar to the testosterone your body makes naturally.

The team at Northwest Arkansas Urology Associates offers five different delivery methods to rebalance your testosterone, including:

Transdermal

Transdermal hormones are topical gels, creams, liquids, or patches that you apply directly to the surface of your skin.

Oral

When you use oral doses of testosterone hormones, you place a dissolvable tablet above your canine tooth. Instead of chewing or swallowing the tablet, it dissolves over time.

Injections

Testosterone injections are available in both short-acting and long-acting forms. Depending on which you use, you need injections weekly, biweekly, or monthly.

Intranasal

Intranasal testosterone is a gel substance that contains testosterone. To use it, you spray into each of your nostrils based on the dosage the urology team recommends.

Pellets

Testosterone pellets go under the surface of your skin, usually in your upper hip or buttocks. The pellets deliver a slow, steady stream of testosterone into your body over 3-6 months.

Men using testosterone replacement therapy typically experience relief of symptoms within a few days or weeks of starting treatment. The team at Northwest Arkansas Urology Associates continues to monitor your therapy over time to see how well it's working for you. They can adjust the delivery method and dose as needed.

Call Northwest Arkansas Urology Associates today to schedule a low testosterone evaluation, or book a consultation online.