Side Effects of Testosterone Therapy Men Must Know

Male hypogonadism is a condition when the testicles do not produce enough sex hormones (testosterone) in males. It hampers the ability to produce normal amounts of testosterone (T-level) due to a problem with the testicles or with the pituitary gland that controls the testicles. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a common treatment for men with symptomatic hypogonadism. Testosterone Replacement Therapy is a form of hormone replacement therapy intended to help restore low testosterone levels in men with hypogonadism. Low testosterone levels are most prevalent in men, but women can experience it too. TRT uses bioidentical testosterone to bring testosterone levels back to optimal levels. It is available in the form of injections, pellets, patches, or gels to improve the signs and symptoms of low testosterone in these men. Like all treatments, testosterone therapy is associated with a number of known risks, particularly for men with testosterone deficiency. In this blog, let us understand about testosterone therapy in men and its potential side effects in detail.

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is the primary male hormone, mainly produced in the testicles. It is most commonly associated with sexual desire and plays a key role in sperm development. A man's testosterone levels can also influence his mood. It affects the following functions in males:

• Bone density
• Distribution of fat
• Strength and bulk of muscles
• Boost energy levels
• Body and facial hair
• Production of red blood cells
• Sexual desire
• Generation of sperm
  
  

Testosterone levels naturally peak during the teenage years and early adulthood. As men get older, these levels tend to decline gradually—typically beginning around the age of 30 or 40—at an approximate rate of 1% each year. It is important to determine whether low testosterone in adult men is due to the normal aging process or an underlying condition like hypogonadism.

 What is TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy)?

 

Testosterone Replacement Therapy is a medical treatment intended to treat low testosterone levels in the body. As the name suggests, TRT attempts to restore hormone levels that naturally decrease with age, as well as those that are lowered by diseases like diabetes and obesity, bad lifestyle choices like smoking, and drugs like antifungals and painkillers.

TRT has been used in millions of men worldwide to treat diminished libido (loss of sex drive) and erectile dysfunction (inability to get or maintain an erection), and to improve strength and physical function.

 

 The Risks of Testosterone Therapy

TRT can serve as a game changer to restore low testosterone levels. But like any medical treatment, it comes with the risk of side effects.

Testosterone therapy has the following side effects:

• Triggering acne or other skin issues. Elevated testosterone levels can lead to hormonal shifts that stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce excess oil, which can clog hair follicles and result in breakouts or acne.

 

• Promoting noncancerous enlargement of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and possibly accelerating the development of existing prostate cancer.

 

• Causes mood swings, resulting in mood instability, aggressiveness, and irritability. Numerous factors, including variations in neurotransmitter levels, especially those of serotonin and dopamine, might cause it.
  
  
• Increasing male baldness due to loss of hair due to shrinkage of hair follicles.
  
  
• Causing breast enlargement, also called gynecomastia.
  
  
• Limiting sperm generation or causing testicles to shrink, as the treatment can cause the body to reduce its own testosterone production.
  
  
• Promoting the production of excess red blood cells, which results in thicker and stickier blood that increases the risk of blood clot formation.
  
  
• Increasing the risk of pulmonary embolism, if a clot breaks loose, could travel through your bloodstream and lodge in your lungs, blocking blood flow (pulmonary embolism).
  
  

 Other side effects

 

Other side effects of testosterone therapy include:

•         Weight gain

•         Increased appetite

•         Hot flushes

•         Depression

•         Restlessness

•         General weakness

•         Excessive sweating

 Conclusion

Hence, TRT has long been a treatment option for people with hypogonadism or conditions associated with reduced testosterone production. Despite all the hype, its advantages for people without underlying conditions are less obvious. While TRT can have many benefits, it is not without risks, like acne, oily skin, breast enlargement, clot formation, sleep apnea, and decreased sperm production. Regular communication with healthcare providers and adherence to recommended monitoring protocols are key to successful testosterone replacement therapy.

 

If you have any questions related to testosterone therapy and its associated side effects, you can check with our physician or urologist at Ask a doctor, 24x7.