It is well known that men need enough testosterone for healthy sexual function, but women need enough testosterone to function normally too. Testosterone does many jobs in the body beyond libido. Some doctors and researchers have noted low testosterone in people with chronic pain. Let’s look at how low testosterone relates to chronic pain and what low-T therapy involves.
What Is Testosterone Therapy?
Many people think of testosterone only as a male hormone tied to erections and sex drive. That is just one of its many roles.
Healthy testosterone levels matter for women as well as men. Low testosterone may make it harder for the body to control pain. It is also linked to depression, low motivation, tiredness, sluggishness and poor sleep. Testosterone therapy at our Frisco office is currently offered only for men at this current time.
Testosterone therapy, also called testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) or low-T therapy, is a prescription treatment for confirmed low testosterone. At Lewis Pain & Physical Medicine, testosterone therapy is given by injection. If repeat blood tests confirm that your testosterone is low, defined as less than 300 nanograms per deciliter, testosterone injections may be one option your provider discusses with you.
Can Low Testosterone Cause Muscle Pain?
It may. Low testosterone has been linked to joint pain and muscle weakness in men. But muscle pain has many other causes, and pain alone does not mean your testosterone is low.
Testosterone is not an established treatment for unexplained joint pain or chronic pain. Joint or back pain alone does not mean you have low testosterone, and it is not a reason to start testosterone. If you have pain, your provider looks for its cause and can talk with you about pain management treatments.
Other Symptoms of Low Testosterone
These are other common symptoms of low testosterone:
- Diminished sex drive
- Excessive fatigue and reduced energy
- Infertility
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Unusual breast enlargement
- Erectile dysfunction
- Sudden weight gain
- Loss of body and facial hair
- Loss of bone density
- Difficulty concentrating
- Low sense of well-being
If your chronic pain comes with any of these, low testosterone becomes more likely. Symptoms alone cannot confirm it, though. In men, low testosterone is diagnosed from symptoms or signs that fit, together with consistently low testosterone on at least two blood tests, usually taken early in the morning. Read more about how low testosterone is diagnosed. See a provider promptly, because low testosterone can reduce bone mass, which can be a concern when you also have chronic pain.
Is Testosterone Therapy Right for Me?
If you have several signs of low testosterone and repeat blood tests confirm a deficiency, a provider may prescribe testosterone therapy. Our team at Lewis Pain & Physical Medicine can evaluate whether testosterone therapy in Frisco may be an option for you. Not everyone is a candidate, and your provider will weigh the benefits and risks for your situation.
Talk to our Frisco team
If you have chronic pain along with symptoms of low testosterone, talk to our Frisco team. Our providers will evaluate your condition and discuss a plan that fits you. Learn more about testosterone therapy at our Frisco office or read how low testosterone can relate to achy joints. For chronic pain, book an appointment. To ask about a testosterone evaluation, which is separate from a pain management visit, call 214-618-9600.