What Is Testosterone Gel Used For?

Testosterone is a legitimate pharmaceutical with important medical applications. It is designed to augment or replace natural testosterone in men whose bodies are not producing sufficient quantities of the hormone. The gel can, however, also be abused by those looking for ways to boost already sufficient testosterone levels for the same reasons that athletes and body builders might abuse other steroids. In addition to the legitimate medical uses, the manufacturers of testosterone gels emphasize their more superficial secondary benefits to make them appealing to a broader market.

Function

• Topical testosterone gel is used to treat hypogonadism, a condition in which the body produces little or no testosterone. As a result of the deficiency, an individual can experience a lack of primary or secondary sexual characteristics, or the premature onset of "male menopause" and other withdrawal effects. Hypogonadism is generally considered a permanent condition. The producers of testosterone gel, however, market their product to a wider market of men experiencing temporary and reversible symptoms of what they call "Low T."

Benefits

• The advertised benefits of testosterone gel correlate to the effects testosterone has on the body. They include increased muscle mass, decreased body fat, improved bone density, higher energy, better mood, and enhanced sexual desire and performance. While these claims are designed to appeal to virtually all men, testosterone gel also has serious use in treatment of diabetes, which can cause reduced testosterone levels, erectile dysfunction (which can result from low testosterone levels), and chronic pain, which studies suggest is correlated with low testosterone levels.

Features

• The testosterone used in topical gels is a crystalline, white powder form called 17-beta hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one. The concentration of testosterone in the gel is as little as 1 percent, and only about 10 percent of the topical application is actually absorbed through the skin. Depending on the individual and his needs, daily dosage can be as little as 5 g of gel (containing 50 mg of testosterone) to as much as 10 g (containing 100 mg).

Identification

• Topical testosterone gel is an odorless and colorless clear gel composed mostly of water and alcohol. Aside from its hormone content, it closely resembles gel hand sanitizers. Contrary to likely expectations, it is usually applied to the arms and shoulders.

Considerations

• Testosterone gel is a prescription medication that is only available through medical professionals. While generally it is reserved for diagnoses of hypogonadism, as described above, it can also be proscribed by a doctor for less permanent conditions associated with low serum testosterone. Usually, at least a blood test is necessary to confirm low testosterone before a diagnosis and prescription can be given.