Millions of men around the world are currently using any form of prescription for testosterone injection or gel as a form of testosterone replacement therapy ( TRT therapy) in order to restore the levels of the hormone. Pharmaceutical marketing is now constantly blitzing promises that treatment for low testosterone can make men feel more alert, energetic, mentally sharp, and sexually functional.
Testosterone therapy might seem like the ultimate anti-aging formula. Yet the health benefits of testosterone therapy for age-related decline in testosterone aren't clear.
A low testosterone level by itself doesn't need treatment, since isn´t considered a disease. Only men with symptoms of low testosterone and blood levels that confirm this as the cause of symptoms should consider testosterone replacement. Talking with your doctor is the only way to know if testosterone therapy is right for you.
The TRT boom
A loophole in FDA regulations allows pharmaceutical marketers to urge men to talk to their doctors if they have certain "possible signs" that mean they could need low T treatment. "Virtually everybody asks about this now because the direct-to-consumer marketing is so aggressive," says Dr. Michael O'Leary, a urologist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital. "Tons of men who would never have asked me about it before started to do so when they saw ads that say 'Do you feel tired?'"
A low energy level or decreased sexual desire is not always linked to low testosterone levels, and it's not even a direct indicator of a disease. Many other elements could be linked to this, like diet, lack of adequate sleep, and emotional factors.
The risk of testosterone therapy
Today the demand for testosterone tests is on the rise, many of these tests are performed without any medical advice, thus leading to a subsequent increase in TRT demand with no clinical reason. Urologists around the world are warning about the "Testosterone trap", which happens when men are started early in TRT for mild symptoms. Then, they may feel a slight improvement ( sometimes not caused by the treatment). On treatment, the body stops making testosterone. Men can often feel a big difference when they stop therapy because their body's testosterone production has not yet recovered, so they feel motivated to get back to TRT. This cycle may be repetitive, often leading to the use of exogenous testosterone indefinitely.
Testosterone replacement therapy side effects most often include rash, itching, or irritation at the site where the testosterone is applied.
However, there is also evidence of a possible increased risk of heart attack or stroke associated with testosterone use. Experts emphasize that the benefits and risks of long-term testosterone therapy are unknown because large clinical trials haven't yet been done.
Should you talk to your doctor about testosterone therapy?
If you wonder whether testosterone therapy might be right for you, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits. Your doctor will likely measure your testosterone levels at least twice before recommending testosterone therapy.
Treating normal aging with testosterone therapy is not advisable. If you don't have a medical condition that's contributing to your decline in testosterone levels, your doctor might suggest natural ways to boost testosterone, such as losing weight and increasing muscle mass through resistance exercise.