Androgen Replacement Therapy; Primarily Used to Treat Low Testosterone (T) Levels
Androgen replacement therapy (ART), also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), is a form of hormone therapy in which androgens are replaced. It involves the administration of testosterone through subcutaneous pellets, gels, patches, skin creams, or injections. It is a promising technology that helps improve symptoms of hypogonadism and to raise testosterone level. Hypogonadism means diminished functional activity of the gonads that may result in diminished production of sex hormones. Primary hypogonadism is caused due to radiation treatment, orchitis, testicular trauma, genetic abnormalities, or chemotherapy, whereas secondary hypogonadism is caused due to genetic abnormalities of hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Androgen replacement therapy aims is to reduce the levels of male hormones, called androgens, in the body, or to stop them from fueling prostate cancer cells. ART blocks male hormone receptors and can suppress the testo...