Advantages and Drawbacks of Testosterone Therapy
Because of increased awareness of the potential risks associated with testosterone use, there has been a sharp decline in the number of men who take it over the past few years. Do you want to avoid it?
A hormone called testosterone aids men in maintaining their muscle mass, bone density, libido, and prowess in the bedroom. But once they reach their mid-30s, men start to lose weight at a rate of just under 2% annually. That decline could eventually result in hypogonadism, or low testosterone. In their 60s, 1 in 5 men experience this, and the likelihood increases as men age. The goal of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is to restore those low levels.
Why not just take a best testosterone booster supplement? There is oral testosterone on hand. However, some professionals think that oral testosterone may harm the liver. Bypassing the liver and getting testosterone directly into the blood, one can also use skin patches, gels, orally disintegrating tablets, or injections.
TRT, however, has experienced ups and downs over the past 20 years. Following marketing campaigns that claimed it could revive energy, alertness, mental focus, and hormonal balance, prescriptions increased by 300% from 2001 to 2013. As studies revealed potential risks, particularly to heart health, the number of men taking it decreased by half over the course of the following three years. The FDA mandated in 2014 that a warning label be included with TRT prescriptions, informing men that TRT may increase their risk of heart attack and stroke. TRT has recently been associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism, a potentially fatal blood clot.
A doctor may recommend treatment if tests reveal that men with low testosterone symptoms have abnormally low testosterone levels. There is currently no recommended treatment for the millions of men who have low testosterone levels but no symptoms. Additionally, it has not been approved for the treatment of older men with low levels
What dangers may come with testosterone therapy?
There are intramuscular injections, skin patches, and gels for prescription testosterone treatments. Each has potential negative effects. Patches may cause skin irritation. Injections intramuscularly may result in mood swings. Don’t distribute the gel to others if you use it. The following are possible side effects of testosterone therapy:
- Increased fluid retention in acne
- Increased urinations breast enlargement
- Reduced sperm count, smaller testicles, and more aggressive behavior
- Men with prostate or breast cancer are advised against receiving testosterone therapy. In older people, testosterone therapy may also make sleep apnea worse.
