Testosterone Therapy Treatment Types, Uses & Risks

A list of the best testosterone supplements

It also helps maintain metabolism, blood pressure, heart function, cholesterol, and much more. Usually, testosterone levels are highest during the adult years, and they last till the age of 30. After this time, when aging starts, hormonal health is also affected, causing a decline in testosterone levels. In some people, this decline what is testosterone enanthate used for (tanztheater-erfurt.de) major due to poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and high-stress levels. But whatever the reason, using a dietary supplement can slow down this damage and save you from permanently losing it. Testosterone therapy may make sense for women who have low testosterone levels and symptoms that might be due to testosterone deficiency. However, the wisdom and effectiveness of testosterone treatment to improve sexual function or cognitive function among postmenopausal women is unclear.

You can see our favorite at-home testosterone tests in our comprehensive guide, many of which you can get with a discount as an Innerbody reader. When we evaluate the cost of a testosterone booster, we consider its price and any potential avenues for savings, including bulk and subscription discounts. We also look at money-back guarantees and return policies that can affect your investment. Here’s a quick look at how ingredient bills compare among the top testosterone boosters on the market. That’s why we look for ingredients with as much consistency as possible throughout research studies.

Testosterone-boosting supplements are different from testosterone therapy. Also called androgen replacement therapy, this is a medical treatment your doctor may prescribe if blood tests show unusually low levels of testosterone. It’s also a gender-affirming treatment for people seeking more “masculine” physical characteristics, like a deeper voice and facial hair. The hormone is usually given through your skin as a gel or a patch or injected into your muscle. Other causes of Low T include an injury to the testicles, cancer treatments, chronic diseases and stress. Lack of this key sex hormone can also cause health issues, including osteoporosis, loss of muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia) and psychological symptoms.

Higher testosterone levels may increase muscle growth and enhance overall physical function. Therefore, some athletes may use testosterone boosters improperly to support their training. If an athlete uses testosterone boosters, it may violate anti-doping rules.

They were used to treat delayed puberty in men and boys and breast cancer in women. First approved in 1979, Depo-testosterone is one of the older drugs of its kind on the market. It’s a liquid designed for injection deep into the gluteal muscle. Testosterone gel can unintentionally transfer from your body to another’s with skin to skin contact. This can potentially lead to serious health reactions for the other person.

A blood test is the only way to diagnose a low testosterone level or a reduction in the availability of testosterone. Some men have a lower than normal testosterone level without signs or symptoms. For others, low testosterone might cause changes in sexual function, sleep patterns, emotions and the body. Research has suggested that Vitamin D supplementation can support testosterone levels in men who are deficient. Studies have shown increases in both free and total testosterone levels with Vitamin D supplementation. These supplements cater to a range of needs, from addressing age-related declines in testosterone to compensating for health conditions that may affect natural testosterone production. This growing interest underscores a shift towards more accessible options for supporting hormonal health effectively.

Despite their popularity, the scientific rationale for these products often remains unexplained or unproven. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearly states that, “Unlike drugs, supplements are not intended to treat, diagnose, prevent, or cure diseases. That means supplements should not make claims, such as “reduces pain” or “treats heart disease”. Claims like these can only legitimately be made for drugs, not dietary supplements.” [8].

People assigned female at birth produce testosterone but in lower quantities and have higher levels of estrogen, another hormone. For 24.8%, or 27 out of 109 individual supplements, there was data showing an increase in T with supplementation. However, for many of these (15 of the 27, or 55.5%) there was also conflicting data showing no change or a decrease in T with supplementation. Of concern, 10.1% of components had published data that found a decrease in T with supplementation. It is unclear why companies would include components in their supplements that have no evidence to support their use. However, it is even more concerning that some of these supplements may in fact decrease serum T.

Higher scores in each scale correspond with greater well-being. Your provider will likely have you get a blood test to check your testosterone level. These include medicine side effects, thyroid problems, or depression. Beginning around age 30 to 40, testosterone levels may start to slowly decrease. Some people choose to increase their testosterone levels by using alternative treatments, though many of these lack scientific backing. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.