Testosterone therapy: Potential benefits and risks as you age

Testosterone Therapy Treatment Types, Uses & Risks

Prostate cancer needs testosterone to grow, therefore taking TRT may make the cancer cells grow faster. The National Cancer Research Institute states that men with higher levels of testosterone in their blood are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Gradual absorption causes more stable testosterone levels in the blood. TRT can cause fluctuations in testosterone levels, which can affect energy levels, libido, mood, and the presence of symptoms such as breast tenderness. If symptoms of low testosterone are interfering with your quality of life, know that you don’t have to just grin and bear it.

In men years of age, biennial PSA testing should be considered. Testosterone is FDA-approved as replacement therapy only for men who have low testosterone levels due to disorders of the testicles, pituitary gland, or brain that cause a condition called hypogonadism. Examples of these disorders include failure of the testicles to produce testosterone because of genetic problems, or damage from chemotherapy or infection. However, FDA has become aware that testosterone is being used extensively in attempts to relieve symptoms in men who have low testosterone for no apparent reason other than aging.

Previously, interest in testosterone therapy rarely came up in appointments, she said. While the treatment may have an impact on muscle strength and how people feel, LaPook said there is limited evidence on the extent of potential benefits and potential dangers. Testosterone replacement therapy, which involves taking manufactured forms of testosterone, has surged in popularity. Prescriptions for the treatment rose from 7.3 million in 2019 to more than 11 million last year. “Injections of hCG are sometimes used as an alternative to testosterone products in men for low testosterone and to help improve fertility.”

Any unauthorized or illegal use, copying or dissemination will be prosecuted. Please read our disclaimer for more information about our website. Review our editorial policy to learn more about our process for producing accurate, current and balanced content. Testosterone therapy can enhance athletic and physical performance. Athletes use it to boost strength and stamina, but it can also help men with chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia.

Testosterone treatment is not advised for men with prostate or breast cancer. Additionally, testosterone therapy may worsen sleep apnea in older people. The effects of testosterone replacement therapy on mood can vary. Men with hypogonadism reported improved mood and well-being, and reduced fatigue and irritability. Research suggests that this treatment may also be an effective anti-depressant treatment. Testosterone injection may cause a decrease in the number of sperm (male reproductive cells) produced, especially if it is used at high doses. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication if you are a man and would like to have children.

For one, more body fat means less of the protein that carries testosterone through the blood. But excess body fat also blunts the signals to produce testosterone that are sent from the brain to the testicles. For now, though, the evidence remains mixed regarding these possible dangers, so the safest choice for men at risk of heart disease or who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer is to avoid TRT. Your bone mass is increasing and there should be even more significant improvements in your mood, libido, and body composition, including bone density and muscle growth. Your sex life is better because of changes in erections and ejaculations, your PSA levels are higher, and you are experiencing an improvement in overall happiness. That being said, I do not believe that testosterone causes prostate cancer. For patients at high risk, I treat them just like I would anyone else, whether I give them testosterone does not cause blood clots [https://zingenindezomer.nl] or not, and I follow them just as closely, but I don’t let their history of prostate cancer influence how I treat or follow them.

Here is how to take a cautious approach to testosterone therapy. People can take TRT orally, via intramuscular injections and implants or transdermal patches, mouth patches, and topical creams or gels. Severe lower urinary tract symptoms include urinary frequency and urgency.

Testicle shrinkage is prevented with hCG and should always be taken with testosterone. Human chorionic gonadotropin or hCGhCG is a drug that helps to stimulate the testes to produce testosterone naturally. It is prescribed with testosterone to prevent the testicles from shrinking during treatment. If testosterone is taken by itself, it interrupts the connection between the brain and testicles. The testes will stop producing testosterone and over time will begin to shrink. In some cases, the testicles will shrivel up to the size of raisins.

Testosterone therapy should be initiated only after two morning total serum testosterone measurements show decreased levels, and all patients should be counseled on the potential risks and benefits before starting therapy. Potential benefits of therapy include increased libido, improved sexual function, improved mood and well-being, and increased muscle mass and bone density; however, there is little or mixed evidence confirming clinically significant benefits. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that testosterone therapy may increase the risk of cardiovascular complications. Other possible risks include rising prostate-specific antigen levels, worsening lower urinary tract symptoms, polycythemia, and increased risk of venous thromboembolism.