HRT: Not just a women's health issue

There was a time when hormone replacement was primarily considered a women's health issue.

But testosterone levels in men peak in their late teens and decrease about one percent a year, every year, once you hit 30. Your energy level, sexual function, muscle mass and bone density are all connected to the hormone. And before you see your doctor, there are some facts you need to know.

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Norm Dubin is active, fit, and very guarded about his age. But we do know Norm started taking testosterone under a doctor's care more than 10 years ago.

"I was getting older, I was slowing down," he told WPBF 25 News. "I was losing my energy. and I was always a very active guy to begin with. And I felt it was time for me to make a change."

In that one sentence, Dubin sums up what leads most men to think about hormone replacement.

Boca Raton-based Dr. Mark Rosenberg, an anti-aging expert, said the No. 1 complaint his patients have before therapy is that they just don't feel well, like they used to.

"It's energy level," Rosenberg said. "Many men get very fatigued. Their drive, not just sexual drive, but their drive for accomplishing tasks during the day is decreased when the testosterone is low."

Rosenberg said that combined with a healthier diet and intensive exercise, testosterone can produce more lean muscle mass for aging men and some other dramatic changes.

"Many men experience improved libido, improved sex drive when they replace testosterone," Rosenberg said. "Many men with sexual dysfunction or erectile dysfunction get significant improvements as well."

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HRT: Not just a women's health issue