What Is Hrt (hormone Replacement Therapy)?

Androgens are a group of hormones that controls the development and maintenance of male traits and reproductive activity (Philip, 2011). It is produced in both male and female, just in differing amounts (Philip, 2011). The primary androgen involved in male reproductive function is testosterone. Testosterone is a hormone that is produced by the testicles of a male organism and it plays a vital role in the development of male reproductive tissues as well as in developing male sexual characteristics such as maintaining muscle bulk, bone density, body hair growth, reproductive functions and mental health (Cleveland Clinic, 2012). The testosterone level declines as age increases and this will lead to hormone imbalances or deficiencies (Cleveland Clinic, 2012). The decrease in testosterone level can have a significant impact on the development of secondary sex characteristics such as lowered sex drive, infertility, a loss of body and facial hair, and decrease in bone mass (Dartmouth-Hitchcock, 2012). Therefore, hormone replacement therapy is designed to help patients who are suffering from hormone imbalances or deficiencies. In this essay, the biology, benefits and danger of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in men will be further discussed.

Male hormone replacement therapy is also known as testosterone replacement therapy or androgen replacement therapy which is used to counter the effect of male hypogonadism, a deficiency in testosterone (Kumar et al., 2010). In male hormone replacement therapy, there are several testosterone delivery forms, including intramuscular injection, transdermal system, and testosterone gel. In intramuscular injection, the testosterone supplement is injected in the large muscle like anterior thigh, and the synthesized testosterone is suspended in oil to prolong absorption. Patients may experience wide variations in mood, energy level and sexual desire due to the fluctuation in testosterone level (Kumar et al., 2010). In transdermal system, patches of testosterone are released continuously in 24-hour period, and it can prevent fluctuation of testosterone level (Dartmouth-Hitchcock, 2012). As for testosterone gel, synthesized testosterone is delivered in gel form and this delivery form has a longer-lasting elevation in serum testosterone, compared to transdermal patches and intramuscular injection (Kumar et al., 2010).

The main goal of hormone replacement therapy is to help men in maintaining an adequate testosterone level. Scientists believe that keeping the testosterone level in a normal range helps to reduce metabolic syndrome risk factors. In the year 2008, Farid Saad and his team have studied the effect of hormone replacement therapy on 95 men, aged 34 to 69, with low levels of testosterone (Doheny, 2008). Saad and his team have found that all of them suffered from metabolic syndrome before the therapy is given. During the research, all the patients are given an injection every three months and the cholesterol level, waist circumference are measured. After a year of investigation,