As with any medical treatment, including testosterone therapy, there are potential side effects. These side effects are rare during testosterone therapy, and as physicians we certainly want to minimize any negatives while maximizing the positive benefits. Each patient is different, so it is important to individualize treatment for low testosterone levels. This requires the guidance of a licensed physician.
POSITIVE SIDE EFFECTS OF TESTOSTERONE THERAPY IN MEN
The technical term for low testosterone levels is hypogonadism. This means that the testicles are producing too little testosterone for some reason and you are at risk for other health problems. Low testosterone causes your body to deliver less oxygen to your cells, increases your risk of stroke and heart attacks (the heart is a muscle), bone loss, muscle loss, and, in many but not all patients, erectile dysfunction.
“Male hypogonadism is characterized by androgen deficiency and infertility. Hypogonadism may be due to disorders at the level of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland (hypogonadotropic forms) or testicular dysfunction (hypergonadotropic forms). Testosterone replacement is necessary for all patients with hypogonadism because androgen deficiency causes mild anemia, changes in blood clotting parameters, decreased bone density, muscle atrophy, regression of sexual function, and changes in mood and cognitive abilities.”
SUMMARY OF KNOWN BENEFITS OF TESTOSTERONE THERAPY:
- Improvement in libido, function and performance
- Improved bone density
- Increase in muscle mass and strength
- Reduction of body fat
- Better mood and quality of life
- More energy and better sleep
- Improving brain function and reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s
- Improved blood sugar regulation and reduced risk of diabetes
- More nitric oxide production and more oxygen delivered to the cells
There are many other potential benefits, such as increased self-confidence, higher productivity, and other factors that make you more attractive. Testosterone therapy can also help improve growth hormone levels and lower bad cholesterol levels.
While testosterone therapy is not a panacea, in our opinion, the benefits of testosterone therapy, if done correctly, far outweigh any potential risks. If side effects do occur, which is very rare, we are here to help you eliminate them so you can continue to get the benefits of optimal testosterone levels.
POTENTIAL NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS THAT WE CAN HELP YOU PREVENT AND CURE
There is a myth that testosterone causes breast enlargement, prostate problems, and mood swings. This is not true. Excess estrogen causes breast enlargement, prostate problems, and mood swings.
The side effects of excess estrogen can be treated and prevented. Testosterone can convert to estrogen, and that’s normal. With age, testosterone levels decrease and estrogen production increases. This is also considered normal. However, this is far from ideal unless you want your pecs to turn to fat and your prostate to swell. And not to scare you, “grumpy old man syndrome” is low testosterone and high estrogen.
Elevated estrogen levels are also strongly correlated with erection problems. Most men will notice a gradual decrease in penis size as they age. This is due to less testosterone and too much estrogen. This can be very serious in men with diabetes, who tend to convert very large amounts of their testosterone into estrogen.