Masculinizing hormone therapy

Masculinizing hormone therapy is performed in order to create physical changes in a person’s body caused by puberty and the emergence of secondary sexual characteristics. The most important goal of maculinizing hormone therapy is to match sexual identity and body.
To achieve optimal results of hormone therapy, it is better to do it before the onset of female puberty changes. It is also possible to avoid secondary sexual characteristics in women such as breast growth with male hormone therapy. Testosterone causes secondary sex characteristics such as facial hair and a deeper voice.

Testosterone injection is a hormonal treatment. This hormone is present in both men and women, but its levels are naturally higher in men.
Its main use is in the treatment of sexual dysfunction in men and postmenopausal symptoms in women suffering from testosterone deficiency. Also, transgender men can use testosterone injections as a male hormone therapy. Testosterone injections are safe for most people, but they can have side effects that vary depending on the reason a person is using the injection.
Before starting testosterone therapy, you should make sure you understand and evaluate the risks and benefits.

Low testosterone levels in men is called hypogonadism.
Low testosterone levels can have negative consequences.
Symptoms of low testosterone in men include decreased sperm count, decreased bone or muscle mass, increased body fat, and erectile dysfunction.
Normal blood testosterone level in healthy adult men is more than 17 nmol/L.
In the treatment of hypogonadism, testosterone therapy may have the following benefits:

• Improve sexual performance
• Increase muscle mass and strength
• Better mood
• Better performance
• Possible reduction of osteoporosis

It is important to note that this treatment treats the symptoms of low testosterone and not the underlying cause that led to this condition.
Anyone who suspects low testosterone levels can see a doctor for a diagnosis.
However, the symptoms of this condition are relatively common and may be caused by other conditions or lifestyle factors.
Not all men with low testosterone need treatment.

Testosterone therapy allows people to achieve a more masculine appearance.
Transgender men may use testosterone injections as part of their gender reassignment.
Masculizing hormone therapy helps a person develop male sexual characteristics and reduce female characteristics, and this can lead to any of the following changes :

• Changes in emotional and social functioning
•  Facial hair grows
•  Increased body hair
•  Increased acne
•  A deeper voice
• Baldness with male pattern baldness
• Changes in the location of fat
• Increase muscle mass
• Absence of menstrual periods

Testosterone therapy and injections of it are similar to regimens used to treat hypogonadism in men.
A testosterone injection once a week may be the best way to maintain testosterone levels.

When you inject testosterone, the hormone enters the body directly through the bloodstream into the muscle.
You can choose between two ways of using the medicine:

• Arbitrary use of medicine at home

• Injection of medicine into the gluteal muscle when visiting the doctor

When injecting testosterone, people usually go to the doctor every 2 to 3 months to control the testosterone level and prevent its side effects.

Testosterone injections may be safe if the patient follows the doctor’s instructions. However, research has linked testosterone therapy to several possible side effects and complications.
Possible negative effects of testosterone therapy may include:

• Increased risk of cardiovascular complications (if treatment with a history of cardiovascular diseases is started at the same time)
• Worsening of symptoms in the urinary tract
• Polycythemia, a rare type of blood cancer
• Increased risk of venous thrombosis

Some people may have an allergic reaction to testosterone injections.
For example, testosterone can cause a severe allergic reaction or breathing problems after injection.
Symptoms may include breathing problems, dizziness, and skin rashes.
Other side effects of testosterone injections can increase blood pressure, which can increase the risk of stroke or heart attack.
People who have had a stroke, heart attack, heart disease, or high blood pressure should tell their doctor before starting testosterone injections because they may be at higher risk for side effects.
If someone experiences any of the following symptoms after a testosterone injection, they should seek emergency care :

•   Shortness of breath
•   Lack of ability and difficulty speaking
•   Chest pain
•   Weakness or numbness in the arm or leg
•   Pain in the arms, neck, back, or jaw
•   dizziness
•   paleness

If a doctor prescribes testosterone injections for a teenager to treat growth retardation, the goal will be to achieve a rapid growth spurt during puberty.

Conclusion

You may be prescribed testosterone injections to restore your testosterone levels. As mentioned, it does not cure the underlying disease, but it may help relieve some of the symptoms.
Women may also use these injections to treat sexual dysfunction caused by postmenopausal body changes.
You should be aware of the possible serious side effects of using testosterone in the short and long term.
Hormone therapy in transgender people aims to create secondary sexual characteristics in line with gender identity by administering sex hormones. Although hormone therapy causes many of the expected secondary sexual characteristics in transgender individuals, many sexual characteristics can not be changed by hormone therapy. For example, hormone therapy can cause breast growth in trans women but cannot remove the breast in trans men. Hormone therapy can cause facial hair growth in trans men, but it can not completely remove facial hair in trans women.
However, hormone therapy is effective in creating secondary traits.
It is important to always follow your doctor’s instructions to reduce the risk.