Are There Any Side Effects to Treating Low Testosterone?

• Testosterone replacement therapy is the safest and most effective treatment for patients with low testosterone.
• Like any prescription drug, testosterone treatment can be associated with some potential side effects.
• For most patients the many benefits of testosterone replacement outweigh the potential risks.

When making any decision, particularly one involving whether to start or not start a specific medical treatment such as testosterone therapy, it is normal to wonder about the potential side effects of testosterone treatments.

When low testosterone treatments are prescribed and administered correctly, they are generally safe, however, like any drug or medical procedure, testosterone has some potential side effects. A lot of emphasis needs to be placed on that word “potential.” All drugs, even over the counter medications, can have possible side effects.

Testosterone is approved for prescription therapy by the FDA. Once the FDA approves a drug that means it has determined that its use as indicated is “generally recognized as safe.” However, this is also why, any FDA approved drug must legally come with a list claiming any and all possible side effects. The inserts you find in any medication, and the long disclaimers in any drug advertisement listing those side effects is mainly there to protect the pharmaceutical company from liability if you have any side effects, and should not be taken as any kind of indication that you will experience such side effects.

Some of the reported possible, though rare, side effects or cautions associated with the use of testosterone therapy include:

• Increase risk of blood clots
• Enlarged breasts
• Increased risk of sleep apnea
• Acne
• Hair growth or premature puberty in girls or women who come into contact with gels or patches.
• Caution if cardiovascular disease Caution if prostate CA ( although low testosterone can also be associated with cardiovascular disease and prostate CA)
• Caution if breast CA (male)

This is by no means the entire list, and it is not meant to scare you. In reality most testosterone replacement patients have a very positive experience and run the course of their growth hormone therapy with little or no side effects.

One way that our clinic tries to minimize any risk of side effects is that we only use bioidentical hormones. Bioidentical hormones are exact duplicates of the hormones naturally produced by your body. We also minimize side effects by customizing your testosterone therapy treatment to your unique needs and lifestyle.

When low testosterone treatments are prescribed and administered correctly, they are generally safe, however, like any drug or medical procedure, testosterone has some potential side effects.

The Benefits of Low Testosterone Treatment

When you look at the many well documented benefits of low testosterone treatments, it is easy to see that the benefits of testosterone therapy, far outweigh the minimal risk of any potential side effects.

Some of the proven benefits of testosterone therapy include:

• Loss of belly fat
• Increase energy and vitality
• Increased ability to build lean muscle
• Improved libido and sexual performance
• Improved cognition and memory
• Improved mood
• Return to more regulated sleep
• Improved eyesight
• Healthier skin and reduced appearance of lines and wrinkles
• Stronger, healthier hair

For most patients, the many benefits of testosterone therapy outweigh its potential risks.

Low Testosterone Treatment and the Risk of Heart Disease

Despite testosterone therapy being generally regarded as safe, there remains a lot of misinformation out there about the risks of low testosterone treatment.

One such myth that just refuses to die, regardless of a wealth of information to the contrary, is that testosterone replacement therapy increases the risk of prostate cancer. This idea is largely based on one very old study done in the 1940s.  This study found that in men that already had prostate cancer, testosterone depravation prevented the return of prostate cancer. However, it is important to point out, that there has never, ever been one single study that proves that treating otherwise healthy men for low testosterone causes, or increases the risks of prostate cancer. In fact there is current research that suggests that testosterone therapy may even decrease your risk of developing prostate cancer.

Another persistent testosterone therapy myth, is that low testosterone treatments increase your risk of heart disease. The supposed link between testosterone replacement therapy and increased risk of cardiovascular disease largely owes its history to a study published in 2013. The study had a lot of flaws. Yet, the media chose to ignore the many problems with the study, and ran with it. The news of the increased risks of testosterone therapy “went viral,” and as a result, many men who could have been helped by testosterone therapy, instead, chose to forgo treatment.

However, in 2015, this myth was finally busted by the well-respected Mayo Clinic, when they published a study that concluded there was “no link” between testosterone replacement and increased risk of heart attacks. Not only that, the study indicated that when done correctly, testosterone therapy may even lower the risk of heart attacks! Unfortunately these “risk” remain part of the package insert that accompanies these medications.

Benefits of Low Testosterone Treatment Vs the Side Effects

By now, we hope you have come to realize that the many benefits of testosterone therapy far outweigh the possible side effects of low testosterone treatments. As you now know, the potential dangers of low testosterone have been largely exaggerated, and the risk of side effects can be kept to a minimum. Weigh that against the advantages of:

• Increased strength
• Increased stamina
• More energy
• Increased ability to burn fat (especially abdominal fat)
• Increased ability to build muscle
• Healthier skin and bones
• Improved sex life

Once you weigh all of the benefits of T-therapy vs the possible side effects, the decision of whether or not to start low testosterone treatment should be a relatively easy one.

When Should I Start My Low Testosterone Treatment?

Now that we hope you understand that you have nothing to fear from low testosterone treatment, you should see if you qualify for testosterone therapy as soon as possible.

Testosterone is vital to your strength, vitality, and wellbeing. However, you produce less testosterone the older you get! As your testosterone drops, so does your confidence and self-esteem. If you are looking for a way to replace what time and nature take away, the time to start low testosterone treatment is now!

The truth is, if you are a man over 40, and are feeling tired, depressed and “less than a man,” obtaining treatment for low testosterone can return joy to your life.

Make an appointment today, and get off of the downward spiral of fatigue, tiredness and sexual performance issues!

Take the first step to a younger, stronger, healthier, happy YOU!

You should see if you qualify for testosterone therapy as soon as possible. As with any medical condition, the sooner you start treatment, the better your outcome.

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