Consultations are generally offered in French: please confirm with the clinic (579 305-0344). The French version of this site prevails. Translation under professional review.
Male hormonal health · Saint‑HyacintheTestosterone
Very real symptoms, a rigorous assessment before any treatment
Decreased sexual desire, erectile problems, fatigue, lack of energy, mood changes or decreased muscle strength: these symptoms are common and can affect quality of life.
They may be linked to testosterone deficiency, but also to many other factors: sleep, weight, stress, medication, cardiovascular or metabolic health.
At the Clinique IPS du Palais, we first seek to understand your situation as a whole.
Looking for information on perimenopause and menopause? Female hormonal health →
During your consultation, the NP takes the time to assess your symptoms, your medical history, your past history, your medications, your lifestyle habits, your cardiovascular and metabolic health and your goals, including your plans to have children.
Testosterone may be one of the options when a deficiency is confirmed and treatment is appropriate, but it is never an automatic answer to fatigue or aging.
Our approach
Testosterone deficiency is not diagnosed on symptoms alone, nor on a single blood test.
Guidelines require both compatible symptoms and clearly and repeatedly low testosterone levels, measured in the morning.1, 2
About 30% of men whose first result is low get a normal result when the test is repeated.1
Fatigue and low libido often have several causes. The NP assesses, among other things:
Weight loss, physical activity and regular sleep can also help increase testosterone levels.2
The decision whether or not to treat takes into account your symptoms, your age, your history, your risk factors, your plans to have children and your preferences.
In men aged 65 and over, guidelines advise against automatic treatment and favour an individualized decision after a discussion of the benefits and risks.1
Testosterone treatment requires regular follow-up: changes in symptoms, tolerance, and monitoring of certain tests, including hematocrit (red blood cell concentration) and PSA (prostate-specific antigen).2
Treatment is adjusted, or stopped, based on the results and your situation.
When to seek care?
A male hormonal health consultation may be relevant if you have, for example:
People often talk about “andropause,” but unlike menopause, there is no abrupt stop in men: testosterone instead tends to decline gradually with age, and not all men develop a deficiency requiring treatment.1
Wondering what the word “andropause” really means?
Understanding andropause →Testosterone and age
For illustration purposes only. Reference values vary between laboratories and depending on the units used; only a clinical assessment can interpret your results.
A comprehensive assessment
Depending on your situation, the NP may assess different aspects of your health:
Blood pressure, risk factors, personal and family history.
Weight, blood glucose, cholesterol and other parameters when relevant.
Sleep quality, sleep apnea and other possible causes of fatigue.
Sexual desire, erections and other concerns, addressed discreetly.
An essential point to know before any hormone treatment.
Because treatment must fit into your reality and your overall health.
Important
Testosterone taken as a treatment can reduce, or even suppress, sperm production and have a contraceptive effect.2
If you plan to have children, now or later, it is essential to discuss it with your NP: other options can then be discussed, with a medical specialist if needed.
To discuss during your consultation:
Your important questions
A large study published in 2023 (TRAVERSE) followed more than 5,000 men aged 45 to 80 with hypogonadism and cardiovascular disease or high cardiovascular risk.3
In that study, testosterone did not increase major cardiovascular events compared with placebo. However, more atrial fibrillation, acute kidney injury and pulmonary embolism were observed in the treated group.3
That is why your history and risk factors are assessed before deciding on treatment.
Prostate health is part of the assessment and follow-up. Among other things, guidelines call for PSA monitoring during treatment.2
Certain situations, such as prostate cancer, require special caution or may contraindicate treatment: they are discussed during the assessment.
No. Testosterone treatment is reserved for men with a confirmed deficiency who have symptoms.1
It is not indicated to improve athletic performance, or to counter aging in a man whose levels are normal.
That is common. Weight, sleep and physical activity influence testosterone levels.2
At the Clinique IPS du Palais, weight management and other health issues can be addressed in parallel, to act on the situation as a whole.
Our care pathway
60 minutes
395 $
A first comprehensive assessment of your health, your symptoms and your hormonal concerns. The NP reviews your overall situation, your history, your health problems and the relevant metabolic factors.
The various options are explained in depth and all your questions can be addressed. Depending on the assessment, investigations may be ordered or treatment may be started at this visit.
45 minutes
295 $
A second visit to follow up on the initial assessment, review the results obtained and reassess your symptoms.
Depending on the situation, the NP may start, modify or adjust treatment and clarify the follow-up plan.
30 minutes
195 $
A visit usually scheduled about three months after the adjustment appointment.
It is used to assess changes in symptoms, response to treatment and tolerance, and then make the necessary adjustments.
What sets us apart
A man who consults for fatigue or low libido should not leave with a prescription before the cause is properly understood, nor have his symptoms dismissed.
Our role: confirm the diagnosis, look for all causes and work with you to build the most appropriate care plan.
Testosterone can be an excellent option when a deficiency is confirmed. For others, a different approach will be more effective. No hormone treatment is prescribed automatically: recommendations always depend on the clinical assessment and your personal situation.
Your PHCNP in hormonal health
Marie-Claude was trained in andropause in 2015 by Dr. Gilles Berthelot.
Since then, she has continued her training with Dr. Jean Drouin, notably at annual conferences, which allows her to support men as well as women.
At the Clinique IPS du Palais, Marie-Claude provides the assessment and follow-up in male hormonal health.
Frequently asked questions
Not necessarily. Your NP will determine which tests are relevant. If you have recent results, bring them to your appointment. Testosterone is usually measured in the morning.2
Sometimes. Diagnosis requires confirmed low testosterone levels. If these results are already available and the assessment allows it, treatment can be started at the first visit; otherwise, tests will be ordered first.
Yes. The NP can review with you your current treatment, its effectiveness, side effects, doses and routes of administration, your risk factors and whether to continue or adjust the treatment.
It can. Testosterone taken as a treatment can reduce sperm production. If you plan to have children, talk about it before any treatment.2
No. Routine screening of healthy men is not recommended. An assessment is relevant when symptoms are present.1
You don’t need to know before your appointment whether a treatment is right for you. That is precisely the purpose of the consultation: to understand what you are experiencing, assess your health as a whole and determine with you the most appropriate care.
Consultations available in Saint-Hyacinthe.
The information on this page is provided for information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a health professional.
