Examining the Pros and Cons of Testosterone Therapy

• There are many more “pros” than “cons” to having testosterone therapy.
• Despite what you may have heard, there are actually very few risks to taking testosterone injections.
• Rather than what was once believed, recent evidence suggests that testosterone therapy may reduce the risk of strokes and heart attack.

When making any decision, particularly one involving whether to start or not start a specific medical treatment such as testosterone therapy, it is always best to weigh the “pros and cons.”

When you carefully examine the pros versus the cons of testosterone therapy, we believe you will come to the same conclusion as most of our testosterone therapy patients – that the pros heavily outweigh the cons.

Before we discuss the relative pros vs cons of testosterone therapy, first let’s talk a little about why someone would need testosterone therapy in the first place. Testosterone is a vital hormone. It plays a role for women, but it is of critical importance for men. Testosterone is primarily responsible for the changes that transform a boy to a man. Even after the onset of puberty, testosterone continues to play a role in everything from a man’s ability to think critically, to his sexual virility.

However, despite its continued necessity, testosterone levels do dwindle as a man ages. Testosterone levels are highest in young boys and adolescents, and then start a steady decline in the late 20s, and early 30s. That decline leads to the symptoms of low testosterone — a very real medical condition also known as “andropause.” The symptoms of andropause include:

• Tiredness and fatigue
• Mood swings, irritability and cognitive issues
• Depression
• A lack of strength and vitality
• Muscle loss
• Decline in the ability to build muscle
• Weight gain
• Disturbed sleep patterns
• Sexual wellness issues

Testosterone therapy is a way to return your testosterone levels to what they were when they were at their highest, and you looked and felt your best.

When you carefully examine the pros versus the cons of testosterone therapy, we believe you will come to the same conclusion as most of our testosterone therapy patients – that the pros heavily outweigh the cons.

What Are the Pros of Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

The many pros, or benefits of testosterone therapy for men have been well documented.

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

Among the other pros of testosterone therapy, is that when administered correctly, it is generally safe, you can begin to feel the effects in as little of four to six weeks, and the effects can be long lasting. There is recent evidence that shows that testosterone therapy may also reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers.

Some of the proven benefits of testosterone therapy include: loss of belly fat, increased energy and vitality, increased ability to build lean muscle and improved libido and sexual performance.

Are There Any Cons to Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

Does this mean there are no cons to testosterone therapy? Of course not, every medical procedure has some potential downside. When weighing the pros vs the cons of testosterone replacement, the two main cons to consider are cost and possible side effects. Let’s take a closer look at each.

A typical prescription for testosterone therapy could be anywhere from $600 to $1500 or more per month. That may sound like a lot of money, but when you weigh the cost of testosterone therapy, against the cost to your health and quality of life of not having testosterone therapy, usually you will see that the cost is justified by the results. Also, there are ways that you can work with your practitioner to try to keep the cost of your testosterone replacement therapy as affordable as possible for you.

As to side effects, like any drug or medical procedure, testosterone has some potential side effects. A lot of emphasis needs to be placed on that word “possible.” 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 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.

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.

Prior recommendations dating back to the 1940’s discouraged use of TRT following prostatectomy for prostate cancer with the thought that increased testosterone levels would result in increased risk of cancer growth or recurrence. This resulted in much fear in the medical community for many years about the use of testosterone replacement in anyone, even in patients with normal prostates. More recently, a number of studies from Spain, Italy and the University of California, Irvine(2018), have contradicted those dated findings and have actually demonstrated benefits from TRT with improved post surgical outcomes, faster healing and reduction in cancer recurrences.

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.

Pros of Testosterone Therapy Vs the Cons

By now, we hope you have come to realize that the many pros of testosterone therapy far outweigh any possible cons. As you can see, the cost of testosterone therapy can be dealt with, and the risk of side effects can be kept at a minimal. Weigh that against the pros of:

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

Once you weigh all of the pros and the cons, the decision of whether or not to start testosterone therapy should be a relatively easy one.

Use a Pro to Ensure Your Testosterone Therapy Benefits

If you want to make sure to maximize the pros, and minimize the cons related to testosterone therapy, then you need to stick to the “pros” – as in professionals!

Who you get your testosterone therapy from, can make a very big difference in your experience being a positive or negative one. At our clinics, we are dedicated to making your patient experience with testosterone therapy, the very best it can be.

We take the time to get to know each of our testosterone therapy candidates as individuals. We then tailor your testosterone prescription to your unique goals and lifestyle.

Our practitioners not only know the pros of growth hormone therapy, we are well aware of the potential cons, and know how to watch for any side effects, catch them early, and adjust your dosage accordingly.

At our hormone replacement center, we also realize that one of the cons of HRT can be cost. We will work with you to develop the most cost effective growth hormone treatment plan for your needs as well as your budget.

In 2013, published studies in Jama and PloSone 2014 raised concern about increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke . These studies resulted in much fear and a reduction in testosterone usage. The concern then switched to those who stop taking testosterone and their resultant increased central obesity, diabetes, loss of muscle mass and osteoporosis. Since then, further meta-analysis supported by the NIH found no increase in Stroke and Cardiovascular Disease (JAMA 2018) See also Clin Endo 2018 (Miner et al) who found no increased cardiovascular disease instead provided evidence of “real world cardiovascular benefits”

There is recent evidence that shows that testosterone therapy may also reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers.

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