Taking testosterone pills can have significant effects on a man's health and wellbeing. Testosterone is an important hormone that regulates many processes in the male body and supplementing with testosterone pills impacts these.
Some potential effects of taking testosterone pills for men include:
- Increased muscle mass and strength: Testosterone plays a key role in muscle growth and development. Taking supplemental testosterone can stimulate muscle protein synthesis leading to accelerated muscle buildup, especially when combined with strength training.
- Increased bone density: Testosterone promotes mineralization and growth of the bones. Supplementing with testosterone can strengthen bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
- Increased body and facial hair growth: Testosterone is linked to hair follicle development on the body and face. An increase in testosterone can stimulate faster and more hair growth.
- Changes in fat distribution: Testosterone can impact where fat is stored in the body. It tends to decrease fat stored around the waist and hips and increase fat stored around the belly area.
- Boosted sex drive: As the male sex hormone, testosterone plays an integral role in libido and sexual function. Supplemental testosterone tends to increase sex drive and performance.
- Mood and energy boost: Balanced testosterone levels are linked to better moods and energy levels in men. In those with low testosterone, supplements can improve mood and energy.
- Increased red blood cell production: Testosterone increases the production of red blood cells which improves oxygen circulation. But it also thickens the blood which can increase clot and stroke risk.
While supplementing with testosterone pills may seem appealing, the risks and side effects cannot be ignored:
- Testosterone therapy can stimulate noncancerous growth of the prostate and acceleration of pre-existing prostate cancer. Regular screenings are imperative if undergoing testosterone treatment.
- Excess testosterone is converted into estrogen which can lead to gynecomastia, the development of male breast tissue. This side effect requires cessation of treatment.
- Increased red blood cell count from testosterone raises the risk of strokes, heart attacks and related cardiovascular diseases. Hematocrit levels need monitoring.
- Infertility can occur due to testicular atrophy that may happen with prolonged, high-dose testosterone supplementation. Fertility preservation strategies should be considered before starting therapy.
- Testosterone pills can negatively impact good and bad cholesterol levels. Lipid panels should be assessed to gauge cardiovascular disease risk.
- Aggressive behavior, extreme mood swings, depression and unpredictable anger are possible mental health sides effect. Mood and behavior changes require attention from a mental health professional.
If you are interested in exploring testosterone replacement therapy, reach out to the hormone health experts at Vitality Hormone Clinic. Their board-certified hormone specialists can help men diagnose the root cause of low testosterone, create customized treatment plans, provide pharmaceutical-grade medications and nutraceuticals, and monitor your health and wellness during therapy. Contact Vitality Hormone Clinic today to schedule your evaluation.
In summary, while supplementing testosterone can have benefits like increased muscle mass, mood improvements and boosted sex drive, the list of risks and side effects is extensive. Any man considering testosterone pills or injections should first have a complete workup with blood tests to evaluate hormone levels and rule out underlying prostate issues or cardiovascular disease risks. Ongoing medical supervision is necessary when undergoing testosterone therapy. An endocrinologist or urologist specializing in male hormones and testosterone replacement can help create the best and safest treatment path for optimizing testosterone without negatively impacting one's health.
