Many men use testosterone boosters to improve their physical and sexual abilities. These supplements are becoming more popular, with sales expected to hit $5 billion by 20171. But, is it safe to use these testosterone supplements? That’s what many people wonder.
Dr. Raj Laungani, a well-known urologist, talks about the dangers of testosterone boosters. He says it’s important to be careful. The benefits, like better sex drive, must be weighed against health risks. Risks include heart disease, stroke, and prostate problems12.
Since 2008, sales of these hormone enhancers have doubled. This shows how many men are interested in them1. They hope these boosters will keep them feeling young and strong. Testosterone naturally goes down by about 1% every year after 30 or 402.
It’s important to learn about testosterone and these boosters. Knowing about their safety helps us make good choices.
Understanding Testosterone and Its Functions
Testosterone is made mainly in the testicles. It manages muscle mass, sex drive, and bone health. For people assigned male at birth, testosterone is a lot higher than in those assigned female at birth3. Normal levels for adults assigned male at birth range from 300 to 1,000 ng/dL. For adults assigned female at birth, they go from 15 to 70 ng/dL4. This shows how key it is in our bodies.
What is Testosterone?
Men make testosterone in their testes and women in their ovaries. It helps develop male traits. Testosterone is highest in teen years and young adulthood. It aids in muscle, libido, and bone growth. The brain and pituitary gland control its production3. In teens, it rises, bringing changes like deeper voices and facial hair.
Women have it too, but much less. Around 2% of men over 40 get male hypogonadism. This leads to less muscle, energy, and interest in sex3. Synthetic testosterone can help in developing male traits.
How Does Testosterone Change with Age?
After 40, men’s testosterone falls about 1.6% every year5. By age 45, around 40% of men have hypogonadism5. Diagnoses have gone up 170% since 2012. Low testosterone can cause bone, energy, mood, and sex drive problems. It might also lead to less muscle and more fat3.
Some people make too much testosterone because of genetic issues3. Knowing about high and low levels helps treat symptoms. Natural boosters and treatments can address these problems as we age.
For extra details, read this study on testosterone therapy3.
Potential Side Effects of Testosterone Boosters
It’s important to know about testosterone boosters’ side effects before using them. One must think about both minor and major risks. This helps make good choices and use them right.
Common Side Effects
Some people might get acne, lose hair, or feel mood changes6. Skin issues like itching or rashes can happen too. Especially with testosterone put on the skin7.
People born female could grow more hair than usual or get acne. If pregnant, there could be risks to the baby7. Ingredients like fenugreek might cause stomach upset or diarrhea8. Zinc in boosters can also upset the stomach, cause vomiting, or diarrhea8.
More Serious Risks
Testosterone supplements can have big health risks. They can increase the chance of heart issues like attack or stroke6. Older men might have a higher risk of getting prostate cancer6.
Blood clotting is another big worry. Pain, redness, or swelling could mean a problem6. The FDA warns about heart risks with testosterone creams7. Some might have quick mood changes or anxiety, but it’s not common7.
Watching for blood clots in veins is very important. It’s a rare but serious risk. The chance of getting a blood clot is 1 in 1,000 every year7. Seeing a doctor often and getting tests can help find side effects early. Learn more here6.
Benefits and Efficacy of Testosterone Support
Testosterone therapy is studied for its possible benefits. It’s especially for men with low testosterone due to aging or hypogonadism. Benefits include better sexual function and mood. Testosterone production goes way up during the teen years and early adult life. After 30, it may drop about 1% each year9.
Recent studies show that testosterone therapy can help in many health areas. For example, a big study of 83,000 men revealed those with normal testosterone levels had a lower chance of heart attacks and strokes9. It might also improve bone density, sexual activity, and mood.
| Aspect | Improvement |
|---|---|
| Heart Attack Risk Reduction | 24% less likely9 |
| Stroke Risk Reduction | 36% less likely9 |
| Bone Density Increase | Increased in spinal and hip bones9 |
| Quality of Life | Improved mood and well-being9 |
The success of testosterone therapy in healthy older men is still up for debate9. Its clear benefits are for those with hypogonadism. But, its impact on those with only minor or age-related testosterone drops is not as clear9.
The advantages of testosterone supplements are worth noting. They help lessen fatigue, boost well-being, and slightly reduce body fat. For example, vitamin D and magnesium can raise testosterone levels. Also, taking 25 to 50 micrograms of zinc daily is often suggested10.
Alternatives to Testosterone Enhancing Supplements
Looking for ways to boost testosterone without pills? Consider natural options and doctor-prescribed treatments. These choices help people raise their testosterone without using store-bought boosters. Research shows these boosters only work1130% of the time.
Natural Methods
Natural ways to boost testosterone are liked because they have fewer side effects. Exercise, like weight lifting and HIIT, is good for your testosterone. So is getting plenty of sleep, especially deep REM sleep12. Managing stress through mindfulness and meditation helps too.
What you eat matters too. Eating less sugar, caffeine, red meat, and processed foods is good. So is less dairy and food dyes. Taking zinc (25-50 micrograms daily) and vitamin D (around 3,300 IUs daily) can help1312. Drinking less alcohol and keeping a healthy weight are also key. Losing weight can mean more testosterone12.
Prescription Treatments
If you need more help, there’s prescription testosterone therapy (TRT). It comes as injections, patches, and gels. A doctor watches over this treatment. It’s for issues like male hypogonadism caused by different health problems13.
TRT can make you feel more energetic, build muscle, and improve sexual health. But it’s important to be careful. TRT may cause sleep apnea, acne, less sperm, and heart disease risk13. Research says TRT doesn’t much raise prostate cancer risk. Yet, it’s vital to work with your doctor to watch for side effects13.
Conclusion
Looking into testosterone boosters, we must be careful. These products promise to boost your testosterone and make your muscles bigger. But, often, there’s not much proof they really do that. A study found that although nearly all the boosters said they’d raise testosterone, only about a quarter really had evidence testosterone booster reviews. This shows a big difference between what’s advertised and the truth14.
When checking out these boosters, some were found to have bad stuff in them. This stuff could actually hurt your testosterone levels. So, choosing these supplements carefully is key14. Also, a lot of them have way too many vitamins and minerals. That’s why we need to keep looking into them and have rules. Talking to doctors about these supplements is very important for your safety15.
Testosterone boosters might help some people, like athletes or those with really low testosterone. But, it’s important to think about the risks too. It might be better to try natural ways or go for treatments your doctor suggests. There’s hope that future research will make testosterone treatments safer and work better. We need more studies and to let people know the real deal about these boosters16.
Source Links
- Supplemental Testosterone: Healthy Or Not? – https://www.piedmont.org/living-real-change/supplemental-testosterone-healthy-or-not
- Testosterone therapy: Potential benefits and risks as you age – https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/sexual-health/in-depth/testosterone-therapy/art-20045728
- Testosterone: What It Is, Function & Levels – https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24101-testosterone
- What Is Testosterone, and How Does It Affect Your Health? – https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-testosterone
- Testosterone: Functions, deficiencies, and supplements – https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/276013
- Testosterone (oral route) – https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/testosterone-oral-route/description/drg-20461351
- Side Effects of Topical Testosterone Cream – https://www.healthline.com/health/testosterone-cream-side-effects
- Can Testosterone Supplements Improve Sex Drive? – https://www.healthline.com/health/low-testosterone/do-testosterone-supplements-work
- Bigger, Faster, Stronger? 6 Benefits of Testosterone – https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-testosterone
- Natural Testosterone Boosters: Uses, Benefits, Efficacy – https://www.verywellhealth.com/testosterone-booster-5296139
- Testosterone Boosters: Do They Work? – https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-testosterone-booster-supplements
- VA.gov | Veterans Affairs – https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/improving-low-testosterone-naturally.asp
- Options to Increase Your Testosterone – https://www.healthline.com/health/low-testosterone/testosterone-replacement-therapy-and-other-options
- Testosterone Boosters – Are There Natural Ways to Raise My Testosterone? – Pazona MD – https://pazonamd.com/blog/testosterone-boosters-blog/
- Do “testosterone boostersâ€� really increase serum total testosterone? A systematic review – International Journal of Impotence Research – https://www.nature.com/articles/s41443-023-00763-9
- Testosterone Boosters Intake in Athletes: Current Evidence and Further Directions – https://www.mdpi.com/2673-396X/2/2/11