Testosterone Therapy in Calgary
The procedure
TRT can help men with low testosterone regain sensual function, support overall health and energy levels, as well as mood and mental function.
Testosterone levels generally peak during adolescence and early adulthood. As you get older, your testosterone level gradually declines — typically about 1 percent a year after age 30 or 40. It is important to determine in older men if a low testosterone level is simply due to the decline of normal aging or if it is due to a disease (hypogonadism).
Hypogonadism is a disease in which the body is unable to produce normal amounts of testosterone due to a problem with the testicles or with the pituitary gland that controls the testicles. Testosterone replacement therapy can improve the signs and symptoms of low testosterone in these men. Doctors may prescribe testosterone as injections, pellets, patches or gels.
A low testosterone level by itself doesn’t need treatment. Only men with symptoms of low testosterone and blood levels that confirm this as the cause of symptoms should consider testosterone replacement therapy. Talking with your doctor is the only way to know if testosterone therapy is right for you.
How it works
The Precision Sexual Health Clinic Testosterone Replacement Therapy program is an evidence-based, patient-centered program designed to deliver testosterone replacement therapy to men in a safe and effective way.
Our scientifically validated micro-dosing strategy means you can get the testosterone you need, minimizing the side effects you worry about.
We take a symptom-focused approach to ensure that each man receives a tailored treatment plan for his unique needs. This approach is based on the latest research and aims to help men improve their drive, from the boardroom to the bedroom.
for immediate results.
Benefits
The ideal outcome from TRT is to regain sexual function, energy and clarity of mind. Some men experience a strong change. Others get limited benefits.
- Many men report improvement in energy level, sex drive, and quality of erections.
- Testosterone also increases bone density, muscle mass, and insulin sensitivity in some men.
- Men often report an improvement in mood and confidence from testosterone replacement.
- Men also may be able to focus better, and see improvements in memory and cognitive skills.
Conditions Treated In Southern Alberta
Peyronie's Disease
Erectile Dysfunction
Premature Ejaculation
Delayed Ejaculation
Penis Enlargement
Low Testosterone
Ageing Skin
Hair Loss
Calgary Testosterone Therapy FAQ
We don’t recommend TRT for people with the following conditions:
- Congestive heart disease.
- Suspicion of prostate cancer.
- Severe urinary conditions.
- TRT can only benefit those who have low testosterone.
There is insufficient research to fully understand the long-term effects of TRT. Low level side effects can include rash or itching where a gel or patch is applied. There are some concerns related to heart attack and stroke.
Though not empirically proven, there is concern that TRT might stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Medical providers agree that monitoring patients is an essential element of a responsible treatment plan.
Procedure details
Testosterone Subcutaneous Injection
Human Choriogonadotropin (HCG) Injection
HCG functions as an luteinizing hormone analogue and allows for hormonal replacement in men which more closely approximates male physiology when combined with testosterone. Only low doses administered subcutaneously are required and HCG remains the only Health Canada approved non-testosterone treatment option for Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome.
HCG can also be used as monotherapy and this is included as a treatment option in the 2021 CUA Guideline. The literature suggests that while monotherapy can successfully raise serum testosterone levels, it does not treat the negative symptoms of low testosterone as effectively as when combined with a low-dose of testosterone.
Daily Topical Application
The best available alternative strategy for men who don’t want to inject can apply topical testosterone 1% gel (Androgel 1% pump) daily.
Daily administration of the gel to the upper arms and shoulders or abdomen. The main risk of this treatment is of passive transference of the testosterone hormone to family members (including children) causing virilization.
The topical gel formulations are also associated with increased PSA levels and acne.
Other Program Prescriptions
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMS) are a class of medications that block the feedback of estradiol on receptors in the pituitary gland. This causes increased production of LH and FSH which then stimulate endogenous testosterone production within the testicles.
Aromatase Inhibitors (AI) are a class of medications which block aromatase, the key enzyme in in the liver and adipose tissue responsible for converting testosterone into Estradiol. The result is less estradiol produced throughout tissues in the body and elevated levels of testosterone.
Potential Side Effects
- Most men who are prescribed testosterone by their urologist, endocrinologist or family physician are usually prescribed a depot dose given every 3-4 weeks. This dosing strategy can contribute to many unwanted treatment effects.
- Long-term use of testosterone in this way may cause reversible side-effects such as hot flushing and acne, and other effects such as breast enlargement, hair loss and testicular atrophy can be permanent.
- Concerns have been raised linking testosterone therapy to prostate cancer, infertility, cardiovascular disease and venous thromboembolism but these treatment effects are either unproven (prostate cancer), rare (venous thromboembolism) or are manageable by way of appropriate patient selection and monitoring (cardiovascular disease and infertility).
- Our TRT program has been designed to monitor for and minimize the potential harms of testosterone replacement therapy.
