Synthetic Testosterone: Problem Solving Or Life Threat?

Not so long ago, doctors around the world easily prescribed ampoules of testosterone to male patients. Now, serious control is being introduced over this drug: doctors can no longer simply prescribe testosterone drugs with a slight movement of the hand.

The content of the article

• 1 Taking synthetic hormones is not a panacea
• 2 Unaccounted for factors
• 3 What to do?

Taking synthetic hormones is not a panaceai

How so? For a long time, everyone was convinced that this hormone is a source of youth, a restorer of sexual desire and vital energy in general. The International Health Association, however, is seriously concerned about its effects on the body. And that's why:

• For many men, the hormone simply does not help. Problems with erection, general weakness and obesity are not solved.
• The number of men taking synthetic testosterone has quadrupled since 2000 and exceeded 2 million. However, research shows that this drug is prescribed by doctors without proper testing.
• Confirmed testosterone deficiency is rare in men under the age of 65. Moreover, the main consumers of its synthetic analogs are men aged 45 to 64 years. They make up 60% of all men who take artificial testosterone.

The testosterone controversy is eerily similar to the debate over hormone replacement therapy in women (HRT). If in the past it seemed that HRT was a panacea for all women's problems, now, when the results of many years of hormone intake are already visible, doctors are worried. And there is something: after all, taking synthetic hormones increases the risk of breast cancer and heart disease. Doctors are concerned that artificial testosterone can have equally serious consequences in the long term

Unaccounted for factors2

Testosterone is produced in the testes. Scientists have always known that low levels of it provoke fatigue, depression, loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, weight gain and a decrease in muscle mass. All these problems were solved by additionally using the hormone.

However, it was not considered that artificial testosterone causes blood clots. And this is one of the main risk factors for heart attack and stroke. Also, the hormone may increase the risk of prostate cancer. These cancers are at least as common in men as breast cancer in women.

Now endocrinologists recommend additional testosterone intake only to those men who have really low levels of this hormone in their blood. In order to reliably determine the level of testosterone, multiple tests are required. After all, the fact is that testosterone levels can fluctuate significantly during the day.

A recent report from researchers at the University of Texas showed that 25% of men taking testosterone had only one test before using the drug. And if this is the situation in the United States, then what can we say about the situation here?

In addition, even if blood tests show testosterone deficiency, endocrinologists do not recommend prescribing testosterone at breakneck speed. This can only be done when the patient reports obvious problems, such as a severe decrease in libido.

What to do? 3

If there are no direct indications, it is worth refraining from using the hormone. Instead, work towards increasing the body's natural testosterone production. Doctors believe that weight loss, as well as short-term intense training, is good for this. The muscles need to be loaded regularly - in small intervals, but several times a day.

At the same time, do not forget about a high-quality warm-up. This approach allows you to increase testosterone production, which is not observed in the case of long, but less intense training.