If you’re looking for customized men’s health services, contact LibertyMed Health Group in Glendale, California. Ara Shafrazian, MD, and Arthur Babakhanians, MD, are board-certified family medicine specialists who provide men’s health services, including prostate health screenings and bioidentical testosterone replacement therapy. Call the practice today or make an appointment online.
request an appointmentWhat are some common men’s health issues?
On average, men pay less attention to their health than women and are more likely to skip annual physicals, make risky choices, and dismiss early symptoms of disease. This increases your risk of many chronic health issues from high blood pressure and heart disease to diabetes.
However, men also face unique health issues, including prostate health problems and low testosterone.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
BPH is the clinical term for an enlarged prostate, a common men’s health issue that causes uncomfortable urinary symptoms. For example, you might have trouble starting or stopping your urine stream, or you might dribble urine.
Prostate cancer
Every year, almost 192,000 men get prostate cancer. Prostate cancer causes symptoms similar to the signs of BPH, but you can have cancer without any symptoms. Most men start having prostate cancer screenings around their 50th birthday.
Talk to your doctor if you have any symptoms of a prostate problem. Early diagnosis and treatment improve your chances of a good outcome.
Low testosterone
You might associate testosterone with your sexual health, but this hormone also helps to regulate many other body functions. While your testosterone levels decline with age, you don’t need to put up with uncomfortable or distressing symptoms.
What are the signs I might need testosterone replacement therapy?
Some of the common signs of low testosterone include:
- Reduced sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Muscle mass loss
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
- Reduced energy and fatigue
- Mood changes
- Decreased bone mass
- Reduced memory
If you don’t feel like yourself or any of these symptoms sound familiar, talk to your provider about testosterone replacement therapy.
What should I expect from hormone replacement therapy?
The team at LibertyMed Health Group begins with a thorough exam and blood tests to evaluate your testosterone levels and screen for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms.
If low testosterone levels are the root cause of your symptoms, your provider prescribes bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
The team usually prescribes testosterone replacement injections. They tailor the dose and frequency to meet your specific needs. You have several appointments in the beginning stages of treatment so your provider can monitor your hormone levels and symptoms.
As your testosterone levels return to normal and stabilize, you will need less frequent appointments. However, you should still check in from time to time to make sure your testosterone replacement therapy is helping.
Call LibertyMed Health Group or make an appointment online today for expert men’s health services.
