Long-Term Testosterone Therapy

As men age, they begin to lose bone mass, muscle mass, agility and mental power. A simple fact of aging, growing older means less physical and mental fitness than in your early years. However, long-term testosterone therapy as an anti-aging formula has gained in popularity over the past few years as a way to increase bone density and muscle mass, improve mental agility and even heighten a man's libido and sperm production. Moreover, long-term testosterone replacement has additional applications for women suffering from immunodeficiency disease.

Uses for Men

• Ask your doctor if you might benefit from a synthetic testosterone supplement to help you feel better about yourself---the positive effects of the hormone can give an aging male a renewed sense of vigor. Long-term testosterone use can make you stronger and leaner as you age, due to the fat distribution that testosterone aids, which can offset the "gut" many men get as they grow older. Increase your muscle mass with the use of long-term therapy while sharpening and improving your mental focus.

Uses for Women

• One of the most often prescribed forms of testosterone therapy helps women suffering from HIV. Low levels of androgens such as testosterone have proven extremely helpful in renewing body mass, bone density, and overall quality of life. Long-term patches have demonstrated positive health effects over time, and did not affect liver enzymes, blood lipids, or other products and functions of the body like similar treatments.

Risks

• Because long-term testosterone therapy has not been thoroughly tested, the risks of such therapy are widely unknown. In males, it is conjectured that long-term therapy may result in a higher risk of prostate cancer or prostatic hyperplasia. Sleep apnea and polycythemia, a disease that can lead to complications in the heart, may also occur as a result of this therapy. While many men (and women) continue to use long-term testosterone therapy as treatment for a wide range of issues, some doctors recommend that individuals hold off on therapy until more conclusive studies have been done to determine the effects of such therapy.